The World Cup’s new expanded knockout format has quickly justified itself, with the round of 32 producing drama, late goals, penalty shootouts and several major exits before the last-16 stage has even been completed.
Germany’s elimination by Paraguay remains the defining shock of the round so far. The four-time world champions went out 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, suffering their first World Cup shootout defeat and deepening the sense that one of international football’s old certainties has weakened. Paraguay, disciplined and stubborn throughout, now move on to face France.
Morocco also delivered one of the standout results of the round, knocking out the Netherlands on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Monterrey. The Dutch had looked set to progress after Cody Gakpo’s second-half goal, but Morocco forced extra time with a stoppage-time header before holding their nerve in the shootout. Their reward is a last-16 tie against co-hosts Canada.
The two results have given the tournament a different shape. Germany and the Netherlands are gone, while Paraguay and Morocco, have moved into the next phase.
Elsewhere, the favourites largely did enough. Brazil came through a difficult test against Japan with a 2-1 win, while France looked more convincing in their 3-0 victory over Sweden. England were made to work by DR Congo but advanced 2-1, and Belgium edged Senegal 3-2 in one of the more open ties of the round.
Mexico produced one of the most emotional wins of the knockout phase, beating Ecuador 2-0 at the Azteca to claim their first World Cup knockout victory since 1986. First-half goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez sent the co-hosts into the last 16 and set up a major meeting with England.
Spain also made a statement, beating Austria 3-0 with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring twice and Pedro Porro adding another. Luis de la Fuente’s side have not yet conceded and now face Portugal in one of the most eye-catching ties of the next round.
Portugal reached that stage after a dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia in Toronto. Cristiano Ronaldo converted from the penalty spot before Goncalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time winner, while Croatia were left frustrated after a late equaliser was ruled out. The defeat is likely to mark the end of Luka Modric’s World Cup career.
Switzerland, meanwhile, continued their efficient run with a 2-0 victory over Algeria. Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye secured their first World Cup knockout win since 1938 and booked a last-16 meeting with the winner of Colombia against Ghana.
The round of 32 still has three matches left. Australia face Egypt at 9pm Cyprus time on Friday, Argentina meet Cape Verde at 1am on Saturday, and Colombia take on Ghana at 4.30am on Saturday, with those winners filling the remaining places in the last-16 bracket.
The last-16 phase begins with Canada against Morocco, followed by Paraguay against France. Brazil will face Norway, Mexico meet England, Portugal take on Spain, and the United States face Belgium. The winners of Argentina against Cape Verde and Australia against Egypt will meet each other, while Switzerland await either Colombia or Ghana.
On paper, Portugal against Spain is the headline tie, bringing together two European heavyweights with very different recent knockout histories. Mexico against England will also carry huge attention, with the co-hosts returning to the Azteca full of belief after ending a four-decade drought.
But if the round of 32 has shown anything, it is that reputation alone is no longer enough. Germany and the Netherlands have already been removed from the tournament, and the last 16 now begins with several favourites still standing, but with the warning signs impossible to ignore.
