The Round of 32 at this year’s World Cup finished with some surprises and was full of suspense until the last minute: while Morocco rushed past the Netherlands in a showstopping penalty shootout and Brazil advanced after its win against Japan, the surprise victory came from Paraguay after a 4-3 penalty shootout against Germany.
East Africa News
Ismael Saibari scored the decisive goal in a penalty shootout, and Morocco sent the Netherlands to its earliest World Cup exit, eliminating the Dutch 3-2 after a 1-1 draw on Monday night.
With the shootout tied at 2-all after four rounds, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a strong save of Crysencio Summerville’s attempt, batting it away with his left hand.
Saibari then sent the winner into the low left corner as goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen went the other direction.
Regional Impact
The Netherlands had reached at least the round of 16 in 11 previous World Cups, including a quarterfinal appearance four years ago, when Morocco reached the semifinals. Cody Gakpo scored in the 72nd minute for Netherlands.
Morocco’s Issa Diop tied it in the 91st minute, heading in a long cross from Chemsdine Talbi. Neither team had a strong scoring opportunity in 30 minutes of extra time at Estadio BBVA.
It was the second game of the tournament to conclude with a shootout.
Analysis
Paraguay beat Germany on penalties earlier Monday.
José Canale scored on the first sudden-death penalty kick, Orlando Gill made two key saves in the shootout, and Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties to earn the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup.
It was a major triumph for the landlocked South American country of 7 million people that’s surrounded by soccer giants like Argentina and Brazil.
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