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Penalty Shocks in the Round of 32 — Germany and the Netherlands Both Crash Out; Paraguay and Morocco Advance
Two heavyweights fell on penalties. Four-time champions Germany were knocked out 1-1 (3-4 on pens) by Paraguay, and the Netherlands went out 1-1 (2-3 on pens) to Morocco. France cruised past Sweden 3-0, while Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 on Haaland's late winner to reach the Round of 16.
Clinch Desk · Tue, Jun 30
Two European heavyweights went out on penalties in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. Four-time champions Germany drew 1-1 with Paraguay before losing 3-4 in the shootout, and the Netherlands also drew 1-1 with Morocco before falling 2-3 on penalties. France, Norway and Mexico, by contrast, all booked their places in the Round of 16.
The biggest shock came on June 29 between Germany and Paraguay. Paraguay led through Julio Enciso in the 42nd minute, and Germany levelled through Kai Havertz in the 54th. Jonathan Tah had a goal in extra time ruled out for a foul, and the tie went to penalties. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved a string of German spot-kicks, and Tah's decisive miss sent Paraguay through 4-3 on penalties. Germany's exit in the Round of 32 ranks as the tournament's biggest shock so far.
The same day, the Netherlands and Morocco also went the distance. Level at 1-1 through normal and extra time, it was Morocco — the surprise 2022 semifinalists — who edged the shootout 3-2 to grab a Round-of-16 ticket. Once again, European heavyweights the Netherlands could not get past Morocco. In the Round of 32 alone, two title contenders in Germany and the Netherlands were undone from the spot.
Favourites France conserved their energy, brushing Sweden aside 3-0 to reach the Round of 16 with Kylian Mbappé grabbing a brace. Norway, back at a World Cup after 28 years, edged a tight game with Ivory Coast thanks to Erling Haaland's winner in the 86th minute for a 2-1 victory. Host nation Mexico also rolled on, beating Ecuador 2-0 (Julián Quiñones 22', Raúl Jiménez 31').
The Round-of-16 picture keeps taking shape. Paraguay will meet France, Morocco face host nation Canada, and Norway take on five-time champions Brazil. The clash between Haaland's Norway and Brazil already stands out. The remaining Round-of-32 matches run through July 3, with Portugal vs Croatia on July 2 and Argentina vs Cape Verde on July 3 still to come. Follow the live bracket and results on our bracket page (/bracket).