African champions, the Atlas Lions of Morocco are through to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup after beating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties in the Round of 32 following an exciting 1-1 draw in regulation and extra-time, Tuesday morning in Monterrey.
Morocco were the better side for much of the game and came very close to scoring when captain Achraf Hakimi hit the crossbar in the first half.
However, it was the Dutch who took the lead when Liverpool star Cody Gakpo scored in the 72nd minute.
With time running out, the Atlas Lions refused to give up and got a deserved equaliser in the 91st minute through Issa Diop who rose highest to head home Chemsdine Talbi’s lofted delivery.
With no goals in extra-time, the game went to penalties.
The Netherlands missed three of their spot-kicks as Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville all failed to score while Neil El Aynaoui and Hakimi lost their kicks for Morocco.
However, Ismael Saibari who had scored in all three of Morocco’s group games, calmly converted the decisive penalty to seal victory.
The first African team to reach the semi finals of the World Cup will play co-hosts, Canada in the Round of 16 on Saturday.
Elsewhere, South American underdogs, Paraguay stunned four-time champions, Germany after knocking them out of the World Cup courtesy of a 4-3 penalty shootout victory in the Round of 32 late Monday night, following a thrilling 1-1 encounter in regulation and extra-time.
Paraguay who only made it to the knockout stages as one of the best losers by finishing third in Group D, shocked Group E winners Germany when Julio Enciso, who previously played in the Premier League with Brighton and Ipswich, scored the first goal of the game in the 42nd minute.
But Germany produced a much improved performance in the second half and equalised when a glancing header from Arsenal forward, Kai Havertz connected with a cross from Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz in the 54th minute.
Germany thought they had won the game in the 12th minute of extra-time when Jonathan Tah headed into the net, only for it to be ruled out after a VAR review as Waldemar Anton was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
In the penalty shootout, Havertz and Newcastle United star, Nick Woltemade both had their spot-kicks saved by goalkeeper Gill.
But Paraguay also twice missed chances to go through as Antonio Sanabria shot wide and Fabian Balbuena’s effort was saver by German goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer.
However, in sudden death, Jonathan Tah blazed over for Germany before defender Jose Canale scored the decisive kick to send Paraguay through 4-3 on penalties.
It was the first time the Germans would lose a penalty shootout at the World Cup.
Paraguay will play either two-time champions France or 1958 runners-up Sweden in the last 16 in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Earlier on Monday, Arsenal star, Gabriel Martinelli was the hero for five-time champions, Brazil as he scored a dramatic 95th-minute winner for the Selecao who came from behind to beat Japan and set up a World Cup last-16 tie against Norway or Cote D’ivoire.
Japan took a deserved lead in the 29th minute of the first half as Kaishu Sano pounced on a loose pass from Danilo to drive past Casemiro and drill the ball into the bottom corner.
Brazil struggled to respond before half-time but looked a different side after the break with Casemiro rising to power home Gabriel’s back-post cross 10 minutes after the restart.
With just seconds left, Brazil won possession back on the edge of the Japan box and Bruno Guimaraes slipped the ball into Martinelli, who took a touch before slotting in off the post.