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RIYADH: Few would argue the match between the Netherlands and Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 resembled anything but an early semifinal clash. Two top sides battled it out in Monterrey to conclude the day, with Morocco holding the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw after extra time before winning 3-2 on penalties.
FOXBOROUGH, United States: Germany crashed out of the World Cup at the hands of Paraguay in the last 32 after losing 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Foxborough on Monday. It marks the first time that Germany have ever lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup. Julio Enciso headed Paraguay into a shock lead before half-time, but Kai Havertz levelled for Germany on 54 minutes with his third goal of the tournament. Jonathan Tah saw a goal disallowed after a VAR review in extra time, before Paraguay held on to shock Germany in a wild, nerve-jangling shootout as the momentum swung back and forth. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, but his teammates blew two chances to win it before Jose Canale blasted in the winning spot-kick after Tah had blazed his effort over the bar. It marked another premature exit for Germany who were playing in their first knockout-stage appearance since winning the 2014 World Cup. Paraguay celebrated arguably their greatest win at the tournament, but they face the daunting prospect of running into an in-form France next should Les Bleus beat Sweden. Julian Nagelsmann handed Deniz Undav his first start of the tournament, after the Stuttgart striker scored three times in the opening two games as a substitute. He came in for Jamal Musiala as Nathaniel Brown returned at left-back, having missed the Ecuador loss as a precaution due to a minor injury. Miguel Almiron was recalled by Paraguay following a one-match ban after becoming the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation under new FIFA rules. Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro had urged his players to grasp the opportunity of a lifetime, and they came close to scoring
LOS ANGELES: Brazil advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday with a thrilling last-gasp 2-1 victory over Japan as the tournament’s knockout rounds got into full swing. Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli was the hero for Brazil in Houston, scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time to settle an enthralling contest at the NRG Stadium. Japan had threatened to pull off one of the all-time great World Cup upsets after Kaishu Sano fired them into the lead with a superb 29th-minute goal on the counter-attack. Brazil looked stunned by the Japanese opener for the remainder of the half and the Asian giants comfortably protected their lead up to half-time. But Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti rolled the dice at half-time by bringing on an additional striker in Endrick for midfielder Lucas Paqueta and the South Americans immediately looked more threatening. They equalized on 56 minutes, Casemiro nodding in at the far post after a superb curling cross from the left by Gabriel Magalhaes. Japan though appeared to have done enough to force extra time, but paid the price after Ao Tanaka coughed up possession on the edge of the area in injury time. The ball was quickly played to Martinelli, who took a touch before burying the winner. Brazil will face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the last 16.
LOS ANGELES: Brazil’s quest to win a record sixth World Cup heads into the knockout stages on Monday as Carlo Ancelotti’s team face Japan in the last 32, before four-time champions Germany play Paraguay and Morocco take on the Netherlands in perhaps the tie of the round. The Brazilians are desperate to win the World Cup again, 24 years after they last lifted the trophy, and they eased through the group stage in first place above Morocco, with Vinicius Junior playing a starring role by scoring four goals. The South Americans may be the favorites to progress to the last 16, but Japan are dangerous opponents and unlikely to make life easy in the first game of the day in Houston. “We need to play with our heads and hearts, and be clear about what we want to do.
CAIRO: Former captains and players of the Egyptian national team across different generations have expressed their delight at Egypt’s progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup and believe facing Australia next Friday could be the best-case scenario in the next round and an opportunity to write a new chapter in the country’s football history.
— Despite the loss to Argentina, Nashama goalscorer Mousa Al-Taamari believes qualification for knockout stages could have been achieved with more focus earlier in tournament
Australia said Monday its football team will play two games against powerhouse Brazil for their first home fixtures after the World Cup. The Socceroos will face Carlo Ancelotti’s decorated side in Townsville on September 25 and in Brisbane four days later. “Brazil are a world-class football nation, and we look forward to facing them in Australia,” said Socceroos coach Tony Popovic. “While my immediate focus remains firmly on our World Cup campaign, I’m delighted that we are locking in fixtures of this calibre, because we want to consistently test ourselves against top-tier opposition moving forward.” The two teams have met 11 times since their first encounter in 1988, with Australia winning just once while banking two draws. Securing the games is part of the Queensland state government’s push to become Australia’s events capital in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane. Australia and Brazil are safely through to the last 32 at the World Cup. Brazil face Japan in Houston on June 29 while the Socceroos meet Egypt in Dallas on July 3.
RIYADH: Yasser Al-Misehal resigned as president of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) on Monday, taking responsibility for the national team’s early exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026 and bringing an end to his seven-year tenure at the helm of Saudi football.