WORLD CUP 2026
Germany OUT: Paraguay's shoot-out heist headlines a Round of 32 full of carnage
Paraguay dumped Germany out on penalties, Morocco did the same to the Netherlands, and England needed a nervy second half to see off DR Congo. The Round of 32 has been a bloodbath — and Spain vs Austria is next.
The Transfer Siren · 2 July 2026
If the group stage was a procession, the knockouts have been a demolition derby.
The big one: Germany 1, Paraguay 1 — Paraguay through 4-3 on penalties. A four-time world champion out in the first knockout round, beaten by a side that defended like the pitch owed them money.
The pattern repeated a day later: Netherlands 1, Morocco 1 — Morocco through 3-2 on penalties, confirming that 2022 was no fairytale; this Morocco side simply does not lose knockout games in normal time.
Elsewhere: Brazil edged Japan 2-1, France swatted Sweden 3-0, Mexico sent the Azteca into orbit with a 2-0 win over Ecuador, and England laboured past DR Congo 2-1 in a performance that answered no questions whatsoever. Belgium survived a five-goal thriller with Senegal.
Next up: Spain vs Austria today, Portugal vs Croatia tonight, and Argentina open their knockout campaign against Cape Verde tomorrow. The final is at MetLife on 19 July — and precisely none of the favourites look comfortable.