2026 FIFA World Cup: Morocco Knock Out Netherlands, Paraguay See Off Germany

Morocco booked their place in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a dramatic 1-1 draw in Monterrey.

The North Africans controlled long spells of the game but found Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in inspired form.

They were left stunned in the 72nd minute when Cody Gakpo, who revealed on Saturday that he had lost his unborn son, finished off a rapid counter-attack to put the Netherlands ahead.

That looked enough to settle the tie until the opening moments of stoppage time, when Issa Diop rose highest to power home a header from Chemsdine Taldi’s inviting cross and force extra time.

Morocco continued to press after the restart, but Verbruggen produced one of the saves of the tournament to deny substitute Soufiane Rahimi. Neither side could find another breakthrough, sending the match to penalties.

The shootout swung repeatedly before Dutch misses from Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber, and Crysencio Summerville proved costly. Ismail Saibari then calmly fired the decisive penalty into the bottom corner to send Morocco through, where they will face Canada in Houston.

Elsewhere, Germany’s miserable recent World Cup run continued as the four-time champions crashed out after losing 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Paraguay scored first just before halftime through Julio Enciso, whose header handed the South Americans a surprise lead. Germany responded after the break, with Kai Havertz glancing home Florian Wirtz’s cross to restore parity.

Germany believed they had completed the comeback in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed into the net, but the effort was ruled out after Waldemar Anton was judged to have fouled goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

The penalty shootout brought more heartbreak for Germany. Gill saved spot-kicks from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, although Paraguay also wasted chances to finish the game as Antonio Sanabria fired wide and Fabián Balbuena was denied by veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

In sudden death, Tah blasted over the crossbar before José Canale confidently converted the winning penalty to spark wild celebrations among the Paraguay players and supporters.

The result extends Germany’s disappointing run at the World Cup. Since lifting the trophy in 2014, they have now failed to make a meaningful impact at three successive tournaments.

Paraguay, ranked 41st in the world before the competition, will face either France or Sweden in the last 16 in Philadelphia.