World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Round of 32 Recap
Canada vs. South Africa 1-0
Canada calmly moved forward and dominated possession while South Africa looked to counter but it was a stalemate of a match. Davies came in for Canada after the latter half of second half in hopes of changing the mood; it was his first ever appearance in this World Cup as he sat on the bench due to injury. When Davies had the ball, it was easily stolen. His passing condition was also not good. Canada's condition deteriorated near the end of 90 minutes. Whenever the South African keeper got the ball, the crowd booed him because he wasted time. Canada kept knocking on the door and in 1 minute of stop-itch time, they finally scored from an individual effort by Eustaquio. The last minute of the game was South Africa going full force with attack but Canada survived and they moved to the next round. Canada has a major challenge up ahead as they will face either Netherlands or Morocco.
Brazil vs. Japan 2-1
Brazil passed around and looked for open space in the Japanese defence but it was difficult to find. Meanwhile, Japan went forward in a calm and composed manner. Before the 29th minute, Brazil was intercepted and that turned into a surprise long range shot goal from Japan's Sano. There were some unnecessary passing mistakes made by Japan but defence did not waver. Brazil could not penetrate the defence so they went for long-range shots but they were directed at the keeper for an easy catch. In the second half, Brazil continued trying to score as the possession was one-sided and eventually in the 55th minute, they succeeded in equalizing. If passing play wouldn't work, Brazil threatened with individual skills. Japan had difficulty going forward as well as Brazil's defence was also strong in pressuring. Brazil continually dominating ball possession was dangerous and in the 5th minute of stop-itch time, they added to their score to victory.
Germany vs. Paraguay 1-1 (PSO 3-4)
Germany dominated possession as expected but Paraguay looked dangerous with their few chances that they had. Germany's play looked scrappy as they were in a rush to score as soon as possible. It was also challenging for Germany to break through Paraguay's defence. In the 41st minute, Paraguay miraculously scored first that started from an interception to a good passing play and cross. Germany tried to equalize but failed to do so at the end of first half. In the second half, Germany continued to control possession but their lobbing passes towards the box were futile. After the 53rd minute, luck was on Germany's side as what was meant as a long range pass turned into a free-kick-like goal (there was a header connection but the ball direction wasn't changed and it was destined for the net). They were tied one a piece and went into extra time. In the 101st minute, Germany finally broke through from a good corner kick that was headed in. The referee however checked VAR to see if the keeper was obstructed and indeed he was so it was no goal. In the second extra time, Germany got a free kick outside the box at the 120th minute but hit the side netting. There was no change in extra time so it was time for penalty kick shootout.
| Team | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | X | O | O | X | O | X |
| Paraguay | O | O | O | X | X | O |
Germany shot first and it was blocked; a bad start. Paraguay went the same way and the direction was read but the goal still went in. The German was nervous but put it into the left side opposite of the keeper. Paraguay scored next. Germany scored despite the direction being read. Paraguay scored comfortably to the left. The next German kicker was read and blocked. All the Paraguay kicker had to do was put it in but he missed it. Germany scored next. Dramatically, the German keeper blocked the next Paraguay kicker's shot for the first time. The 6th German kicker home runned it. The next Paraguay kicker scored it in to finalize their victory.
Netherlands vs. Morocco 1-1 (PSO 2-3)
Netherlands dominated possession but it was Morocco's attack that looked more threatening. Morocco saw more of the ball in the latter half of first half. Both teams had difficulty breaking through the defence of each other. There were close chances at the end of first half but it finished scoreless. In the second half, ball possession was similar for both teams. Netherlands looked more rushed while Morocco had more composure. Finding a solution was difficult but the desperation that Netherlands had finally paid dividends as they scored a messy goal at the 72nd minute. It was time for Morocco to respond. At the 90th minute, a miracle happened to Morocco whereby a nice lobbing pass to the box was connected well by a header for the equalizing goal. Netherlands failed to score at the end of second half so it was off to extra time. Extra time was also a stalemate so it went to PSO.
| Team | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | O | X | O | X | X |
| Morocco | X | O | O | X | O |
It was another dramatic shootout. Morocco started off with their first kicker missing like with Germany. But this time, there were many kickers who missed or got blocked. The downfall of Netherlands was their nerves and as a result, Morocco were the victors. So far Germany and Netherlands, two of the finalist contenders, are ousted.
Ivory Coast vs. Norway 1-2
Both teams regularly intercepted each other. It was take and be taken. Norway was trying to control by possession and Ivory Coast countered. Ivory Coast looked more threatening due to their fast pace. However before the 39th minute, Norway carefully passed around, Nusa prepared to aim for the net and scored with accuracy. In the second half, Norway was more defensive and Ivory Coast was more possessive. In the 73rd minute, Diallo dribbled from the right flank and moved forward into the net and made a good quick shot for the equalizer. In the 85th minute, Norway calmly made their passing play and Haaland easily directed the oncoming ball in. The last few moments of the game was Ivory Coast trying to equalize in a nail-biting finale but failed to do so.
France vs. Sweden 3-0
There were chances to score for both teams but more so for France since they had more possession. There were really close calls for France to score but it hit the post or was a miss. At the last minute of first half, Mbappe used his dribbing skills in the penalty box then made a close range shot towards the empty space of the net for France to go up one. Sweden immediately tried to equalize but the first half ended. France continued to dominate play and added 2 more goals in the second half. In the last moments of second half, Sweden made an effort to attack and score at least for consolation but to no avail. Therefore, France outclassed Sweden by bombarding them with offence.
Mexico vs. Ecuador 2-0
Mexico's passing play was methodical, well organized and controlled ball possession. They kept making opportunities for goal and indeed they did succeed in doing so with good finishes going 2 up just in first half alone. Ecuador had to counter attack and they needed to at least pull one back before half time so they were in a rush. In the second half, there were close chances for Mexico but made big misses and chances wasted for Ecuador due to poor finishing. There were no goals in the second half.
England vs. Congo 2-1
England dominated possession with careful passing while Congo looked to counter. The problem was that England's pace was too slow and their finishing moves were poor. Meanwhile, Congo's counters were quick and threatening. Before the 7th minute, Congo made a good lobbing pass to open space at the front line then Cipenga went forward and made an accurate strike to the left corner of the net for Congo to lead in score early on. England had some close chances but failed. Kane only had one chance to score in the first half but it was blocked, but this time in the second half he got a better opportunity in front of the keeper so he headed it in for England to finally equalize after the 74th minute. In the 86th minute, Kane scored again in a spectacular fashion showcasing his individual shooting skills. The last minutes of the game was mostly Congo trying to equalize. Congo got a free kick outside the box at the last moment but failed to score. Kane was the hero of the day.
Belgium vs. Senegal 2-2 (ET 1-0)
Belgium dominated possession but Senegal looked more dangerous in counter attack as they were more direct. As Senegal was more threatening, they eventually scored first in the 24th minute. There was a hooligan against Belgium interrupting the game by spraying water at the Belgium manager at the bench so he was taken out at the 31st minute. At the last minute, Belgium got a free kick outside the box but nothing came of it. The second half started with Senegal dominating in attack. In the 50th minute, Senegal made a super long range pass that was delivered right to the forward at the front and he got it in the back of the net for Senegal to lead 2 goals ahead and making things more difficult for Belgium. Belgium had some chances but they were wasted; Lukaku was too selfless when he should have shot it in himself. Going into the last hydration break, the camera showed Belgium players in a quarrel. When Lukaku was not selfless and finally took a shot himself at the 85th minute, he scored. In the 88th minute, luck was on Belgium's side as the lobbing pass into the area near the keeper was well delivered and connected for an equalizer. Belgium was hopeful again. Senegal attacked but failed to score. So extra time it was. In stop-itch time of the latter half of extra time, Belgium was fouled in the box and was rewarded a penalty kick to which they scored; luck was on their side again. Senegal did their best to even the score but failed. It was a dramatic finale.
USA vs. Bosnia 2-0
United States had nice passing and had more possession but Bosnia created some dangerous situations. It was an excitingly high paced game and the US was manifesting a goal. As they kept knocking on the door, luck eventually came their way and the US scored near the end of first half. Bosnia had more possession in the second half and the US looked to counter as a result. At the 64th minute, the referee made a questionable call for red card against the US after watching the VAR so they were now down a man. In order for the US to survive is another goal so they were motivated upon counter-attack. At the 81st minute, the US got a free kick opportunity just outside the box and accurately put it in at the back of the net. Bosnia was urgent to score as they took possession and the US was busy defending in the last moments of the game. Bosnia made some strikes but missed.
Spain vs. Austria 3-0
Spain dominated posession, looked fast paced and was direct in attack. Austria was mostly busy defending. It took a long time, but Spain eventually scored as manifested. Near the end of first half, there were some mistakes made by Spain and Austria took advantage but couldn't make the finishing move. Spain continued to make careful passes in the second half to make opportunities for goal but took too long. When Austria had their rare chance for goal, they missed. As Spain bombarded their opponent with attack, they eventually scored again in the 66th minute. In the 88th minute, Austria's defence was wide open at the back and Spain easily got another goal in.
Portugal vs. Croatia 2-1
It was a stalemate despite Portugal having more possession in the first half. There were some close calls from both sides but the first half ended scoreless. From the start, Croatia went forward and looked more determined to score. Before the 53rd minute, Croatia finally opened up the score board. That energized their attack. The game's atmosphere was fired up as Portugal needed to equalize and Croatia was in an attacking rhythm. Portugal was lucky and got a penalty kick in the 66th minute to which Ronaldo successfully put it in to tie it up. Croatia continued to threaten Portugal. The last few moments was Portugal commanding possession with composure. The momentum seemed to be towards Croatia but Portugal all of a sudden scored in mid stop-itch time from a good lobbing pass that was headed in. It was past 10 minutes of stop-itch time but the time wasn't stopped by the referee so Croatia was able to score at the last moment of the game. The ref checked VAR then it was ruled offside and no goal so another drama was written.
Switzerland vs. Algeria 2-0
Switzerland's forward movement was strong and Algeria's skills were lackluster.
Australia vs. Egypt 1-1 (PSO 2-4)
Australia looked fierce in direct style while Egypt tried to have a more composed passing play. They were neck-and-neck but the first goal came from Egypt. In second half, Australia dominated possession from the start in trying to equalize. A goal was manifesting and in the 54th minute, Australia got a free kick near the box which was connected with a head of an Egyptian player for an own goal. Ball possession went over to Egypt again and Australia countered when they intercepted. In stop-itch time, Egypt bothered Australia with corner kicks and one almost led to a goal but the Aussie keeper blocked it well. In extra time, Australia had lost their good flow that they had before since they weren't making good passing plays. Egypt's forward movement was good but things didn't finish as they wished. With not much time left of extra time, Australia switched the goalie possibly to get ready for PSO. Extra time was a stalemate so they went to penalties.
| Team | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | X | O | O | X |
| Egypt | O | O | O | O |
Australia kicked first and the ball went up to the sky, starting off badly. Egypt on the other hand scored with confidence. The next Aussie kicker looked nervous but successfully scored. Egypt's next kicker succeeded. Australia's next kicker also scored. Egypt's Salah scored. The next Australian kicker hit the post. The fourth Egyptian kicker succeeding would garantee the victory and indeed he did; all Egypt kickers succeeded in scoring.
Argentina vs. Cape Verde 1-1 (ET 2-1)
With the smallest of chances, Messi was still able to score midway in the first half. Argentina's defence was solid. In second half, Cape Verde didn't have much chance to attack but looked more threatening than first half. Before the 59th minute, Cape Verde moved the ball around and crafted a goal to equalize. Argentina continued to carefully pass around and looked for opportunities but it was a challenge due to Cape Verde's tight defence and counter-attacks. Cape Verde's keeper also did very well. Early in extra time, Argentina regained their lead that started from a corner kick. But Cape Verde didn't give up and miraculously they tied up near the end of first extra time. In the second extra time, Argentina scored again from a corner kick that was connected with a header. The weather was hot and game time was long so the players were cramping. The last moments were Cape Verde attacking and Argentina trying to survive but the result remained unchanged. It was an unexpectedly dramatic match where Argentina was supposed to go through with relative ease but turned out to be a major challenge. The cinderella story of Cape Verde came to an end.
Colombia vs. Ghana 1-0
Ghana was direct style and Colombia dominated possession. As Colombia kept knocking on the door, they eventually scored first. It was a stalemate afterwards.
Comments
Post a Comment