Germany and Netherlands exit World Cup on penalty kicks
After Monday's Round of 32 games, Germany and the Netherlands were both sent home on penalty kicks following 1-1 draws — Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 and Morocco beat the Dutch 3-2. Brazil advanced with a late 2-1 win over Japan, joining Canada in the last 16. Just four knockout matches are in the books, but the 2026 tournament has already delivered two shootouts and three stoppage-time goals. Fans asking about world cup games tomorrow can expect three more must-win clashes as the bracket keeps tightening.
Monday's slate capped an opening stretch of knockout soccer that ESPN described as "absolutely pulsating." Yahoo Sports noted the knockout phase "shifted" after Canada, Paraguay, Brazil and Morocco advanced through late drama — leaving two European powers to pay the price of win-or-go-home soccer.
Key Takeaways
- Paraguay stunned Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw that included a VAR-overturned Jonathan Tah header in extra time.
- Morocco eliminated the Netherlands 3-2 from the spot after Issa Diop's stoppage-time equalizer, setting up a Round of 16 meeting with Canada in Houston.
- Brazil rallied from behind with Casemiro's equalizer and Gabriel Martinelli's 95th-minute winner to beat Japan 2-1.
- Germany suffered its first-ever World Cup penalty shootout loss; the Dutch exit continued a knockout pattern of late heartbreak.
- Tomorrow's Round of 32 continues with Ivory Coast vs. Norway, France vs. Sweden, and Mexico vs. Ecuador.
Why did Germany and the Netherlands lose on penalties?
Both favorites dominated stretches but could not find a second goal in 120 minutes. Germany drew level through Kai Havertz after Julio Enciso's opener, yet Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill made big saves from the spot to help seal a 4-3 shootout win — Germany's first-ever World Cup penalty defeat, per Yahoo Sports. A VAR review had earlier wiped out Tah's extra-time header for a foul by Waldemar Anton.
The Netherlands-Morocco thriller in Monterrey ended the same way. After Morocco looked poised to advance, Issa Diop headed a stoppage-time equalizer to force extra time and penalties. Ismael Saibari buried the decisive kick for a 3-2 shootout victory while Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen dived the wrong way, NBC News reported. Losing on penalties is a familiar late-tournament feeling for the Dutch, who also fell to Argentina from the spot in 2014 and 2022.
How did Brazil escape Japan at the death?
Japan stunned the five-time champions when Kaishu Sano struck in the 29th minute. Brazil controlled possession but struggled to convert until Casemiro headed in an equalizer in the 56th minute. With extra time looming, substitute Gabriel Martinelli punished a turnover and fired the winner past the right post with about a minute left in stoppage time.
Brazil will not play again until Sunday, when it faces the winner of tomorrow's Ivory Coast-Norway clash in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said the performance showed his side is "approaching" top-tier level, even in defeat.
What world cup games are on tomorrow's schedule?
The Round of 32 resumes Tuesday with three more win-or-go-home matches. Ivory Coast meets Norway at 1 p.m. ET in Arlington, Texas — the winner earns a Sunday date with Brazil. France faces Sweden at 5 p.m. ET in East Rutherford; Paraguay awaits that victor in the last 16. Mexico closes the day against Ecuador at 9 p.m. ET in Mexico City.
As knockout stakes rise, margins are razor-thin and every late mistake is costly. For more on how high-pressure competition and split-second decisions reshape global sport — and the tech behind them — explore our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.