The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered another night of absolute chaos, heartbreak, and history. In two stunning round-of-16 encounters defined by penalty shootout drama, Morocco edged past the Netherlands, while South American underdogs Paraguay sent four-time champions Germany packing.

Here is how a wild night of football unfolded.

🇲🇦 Morocco 1 (3) - (2) 1 Netherlands 🇳🇱

Saibari the Hero after Stoppage-Time Drama in Monterrey

Morocco have booked their place in the quarter-finals after a breathtaking penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands.

For most of the match, the North Africans dominated possession and tempo, but they constantly ran into a brick wall named Bart Verbruggen, with the Dutch goalkeeper pulling off a string of inspired saves.

Against the run of play, the stadium was left stunned in the 72nd minute. Cody Gakpo—who had courageously revealed just days prior that he had tragically lost his unborn son—finished off a lightning-fast counter-attack to put the Dutch ahead. It was an emotional moment that looked destined to be the match-winner.

⏱️ 72' | 🇳🇱 Gakpo (0-1)
⏱️ 90+1' | 🇲🇦 Diop (1-1)

But Morocco refused to die. In the opening moments of stoppage time, Chemsdine Taldi floated an inviting cross into the box, and Issa Diop rose highest to power home a dramatic equalizer, forcing extra time.

Despite a wonder-save from Verbruggen to deny Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi in extra time, neither side could break the deadlock.

The Shootout

The penalty shootout was a complete rollercoaster. Momentum swung back and forth, but costly Dutch misses from Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber, and Crysencio Summerville handed Morocco the advantage. Ismail Saibari then stepped up, calmly slotting the decisive penalty into the bottom corner to spark wild Moroccan celebrations.

Up Next: Morocco heads to Houston to face Canada in the next round.

🇵🇾 Paraguay 1 (4) - (3) 1 Germany 🇩🇪

Sudden-Death Heartbreak Extends Germany's World Cup Misery

Germany’s recent World Cup nightmare has hit a new low. The four-time world champions are officially out of the tournament after losing a tense sudden-death penalty shootout to 41st-ranked Paraguay.

Paraguay struck first just before halftime when Julio Enciso capitalised on a defensive lapse to head the South Americans into a surprise lead. Germany responded with urgency after the break, equalizing through Kai Havertz, who deftly glanced home a brilliant cross from Florian Wirtz.

⏱️ 44' | 🇵🇾 Enciso (1-0)
⏱️ 55' | 🇩🇪 Havertz (1-1)

The Disallowed Goal

Germany thought they had sealed the comeback victory in extra time when center-back Jonathan Tah powered a header into the back of the net. However, the goal was controversially ruled out after Waldemar Anton was judged to have fouled Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the buildup.

Sudden-Death Agony

The disallowed goal loomed large as the match moved to spot-kicks:

  • Paraguay's keeper Orlando Gill became the hero, saving penalties from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade.

  • Germany stayed alive thanks to veteran keeper Manuel Neuer, who saved Fabián Balbuena's strike after Antonio Sanabria had earlier fired wide.

  • In sudden death, Jonathan Tah went from potential match-winner to heartbroken casualty, blasting his penalty over the crossbar.

  • José Canale then stepped up for Paraguay, confidently burying the winning spot-kick.