The second day of competition in the 32-team phase of the 2026 World Cup saw confirmation of the Brazilian team’s qualification to the round of 16, but also saw the elimination of two of the main candidates for the title: Germany and the Netherlands.
In the duel against Japan, the team had to survive a tough match, on Monday afternoon (29), in Houston, but advanced to the next stage with a 2-1 victory, a comeback, defined in stoppage time.
The Asian team opened the scoring in the first half, with Sano. The yellow-green team, however, woke up after the break, applied pressure and achieved victory thanks to shots from Casemiro and Martinelli. With a ball in the net in the 50th minute of the final stage, he had the last laugh.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men will return to the field next Sunday (5), at 5pm (Brasília time), in East Rutherford (New Jersey), on the outskirts of New York.
His opponent for the place in the quarterfinals will be defined this Tuesday (30), in Arlington, on the outskirts of Dallas, where Ivory Coast and Norway will face each other. Japan is on its way home.
The bad news is that Casemiro and Lucas Paquetá left the game limping and will be evaluated — the concern is much greater with the second.
Raphinha, who was absent in the last two matches, is working to be available to the commander in the clash scheduled for the weekend, in East Rutherford.
The first big surprise of the day was the elimination of Germany by Paraguay, on penalties, ending the dream of a fifth European championship.
The match, played on Monday night in Boston, ended 1-1 in normal time and overtime. The penalties ended with the score 4-3 for Paraguay. Canale scored the qualifying penalty.
Goalkeeper Orlando Gill, hero of the game, saved shots from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade — Jonathan Tah sent the ball wide. Neuer got the one from Balbuena —Sanabria wasted it, sending it out.
Germany’s goals in the penalty shootout came from Kimmich, Musiala and Amiri. Paraguay, before Canale’s conversion, scored with Maurício, Gustavo Gómez and Galarza.
Now, the South American team awaits the winner of the match between France and Sweden, this Tuesday (30), at 6pm (Brasília time). The round of 16 game is scheduled for Saturday (4), at 6pm.
Morocco surpasses the Netherlands
Morocco is the fourth team qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup.
The African team defeated the favorite Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time and goalless extra time, on Monday night at the BBVA stadium, in Monterrey, Mexico.
In the next stage, the Moroccans will face Canada, who beat South Africa 1-0, on Sunday (28). The duel will be next Saturday (4), at 2pm (Brasília time), in Houston (USA).
In normal time, Gakpo opened the scoring for the Netherlands, and Diop equalized.
In the penalty shootout, Rahimi, Talbi and Saibari scored the Moroccan goals. El Aynaoui and Hakimi shot at the post. For the Netherlands, Koopmeiners and Weghorst scored. Kluivert (on the post), Timber (outside) and Summerville (goalkeeper Bono’s save) lost.
With the result, Morocco remains firmly in the World Cup after finishing in fourth place in the last edition, in Qatar, in 2022.
