The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title is heating up, with four countries now securing their places in the Round of 16 after a night of high drama and penalty shootout heartbreak.
Paraguay and Morocco became the latest teams to advance, both surviving tense Round of 32 encounters that were decided from the penalty spot.
Paraguay battled Germany to a 1-1 draw after Julio Enciso fired them ahead before Kai Havertz restored parity with a header. The South Americans held their nerve in the shootout, winning 3-2 as Havertz was among the German players who failed to convert from the spot.
Morocco also showed remarkable resilience, coming from behind to eliminate the Netherlands. Cody Gakpo had given the Dutch the lead, but Issa Diop struck a dramatic late equaliser to force extra time and penalties. Morocco capitalised on misses from Quentin Timber, Crysencio Summerville and Justin Kluivert to seal their place in the next round.
With the victories, Paraguay and Morocco join Brazil and Canada as the first four nations to qualify for the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
