{"id":694,"date":"2026-06-30T11:46:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T11:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kufmtv.net\/?p=694"},"modified":"2026-06-30T11:46:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T11:46:17","slug":"morocco-shock-the-netherlands-paraguay-stun-germany-on-penalties-in-world-cup-round-of-32","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kufmtv.net\/index.php\/2026\/06\/30\/morocco-shock-the-netherlands-paraguay-stun-germany-on-penalties-in-world-cup-round-of-32\/","title":{"rendered":"MOROCCO SHOCK THE NETHERLANDS, PARAGUAY STUN GERMANY ON PENALTIES IN WORLD CUP ROUND OF 32"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it was the Dutch who took the lead when Liverpool star Cody Gakpo scored in the 72nd minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With no goals in extra-time, the game went to penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Ismael Saibari who had scored in all three of Morocco’s group games, calmly converted the decisive penalty to seal victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the penalty shootout, Havertz and Newcastle United star, Nick Woltemade both had their spot-kicks saved by goalkeeper Gill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the first time the Germans would lose a penalty shootout at the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paraguay will play either two-time champions France or 1958 runners-up Sweden in the last 16 in Philadelphia on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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