2026 World Cup Round of 32 Opens with 2 Shootouts and 2 Stoppage-Time Winners
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 30
2026 World Cup Round of 32 Opens with 2 Shootouts and 2 Stoppage-Time Winners
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 30
Summary
Four Round of 32 matches produced two penalty shootouts and two stoppage-time winners, setting a chaotic tone for the 2026 World Cup knockout stage.
Canada and Brazil advanced on late goals: Stephen Eustáquio scored in the 92nd minute to beat South Africa 1-0, and Gabriel Martinelli struck with about a minute left in stoppage time to complete Brazil's comeback against Japan.
Paraguay and Morocco needed shootouts after late twists. Paraguay upset Germany after a 1-1 draw in which a 102nd-minute German goal was overturned by VAR for a foul.
Morocco erased Cody Gakpo's 72nd-minute opener for the Netherlands when Issa Diop equalized at the start of stoppage time, then won on penalties through Ismael Saibari.
The results sent Canada into a July 4 meeting with Morocco for a quarterfinal place, while Germany suffered its first World Cup penalty-shootout defeat.