Round of 32: Part 1

Canada 1-0 South Africa

The first match of the round of 32 was here. Both of these teams have never won a World Cup knockout round before so no matter the result history will be made. The first half was very even. South Africa had more possession but they struggled to get into Canada’s box. In the second half Canada began to push more for a goal but just wasn’t able to break down South Africa’s defense. In the second minute of stoppage time Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio brought the ball down with his chest and struck it past the goalkeeper from just outside the box to give Canada the late lead. There wasn’t enough time for South Africa to respond and Canada went on to win their first ever World Cup knockout game.

Brazil 2-1 Japan

Brazil were the dominant team in the first half but in the 29th minute, Japan’s Kaishu Sano drove the ball through midfield and unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner to give Japan the lead against the run of play. Brazil were shocked and Japan saw through the rest of the half. In the second half Brazil started to push more for a goal. They kept creating chances and finally in the 56th minute Gabriel crossed the ball to Casmerino who headed it past the goalie to equalize for Brazil. In the 6th minute of added time Bruno Guimarães played a beautiful play to Gabriel Martinelli who took a touch and slotted it past the keeper to give Brazil the late win. Heartbreak for Japan, but joy for Brazil.

Paraguay 1-1 Germany (4-3 pens)

Paraguay struggled in the group stage and Germany had so much quality, everyone thought they would easily win. Germany were failing to show their quality and barely created chances in the first half. In the 42nd minute the ball was crossed into Julio Enscio who headed it past the goalie to give Paraguay the lead against the run of play. Germany woke up in the 2nd half and in the 54th minute Kai Havertz scored a header from Wirtz’s cross to equalize. Germany pushed and pushed but Paraguay defended for their lives and took the game to extra time. Germany thought they scored in extra time but it was ruled out and the game went to penalties. Germany missed 2/4 penalties while Paraguay only missed 1/4, they just needed to score one more to win but they missed giving Germany a second chance. Johnston Tah stepped up to take his penalty and skied it over the bar. Paraguay scored their penalty this time and confirmed their place in the next round.

Morocco 1-1 Netherlands (3-2 pens)

The game was very tight and both teams were matching each other. It took all the way until the 72nd minute for a goal. Summerville ran into the box and passed it to Coady Gakpo to slot it past the goalie to give the Netherlands the lead. In the 90th minute, on the verge of elimination, the ball was crossed into Diop who headed the ball past the keeper to equalize for Morocco and bring the game to extra time.The Netherlands began to sit back and Morocco dominated the ball but wither team was able to find a winner and the game went to penalties. Both teams scored 2 pens from 4. Summerville missed the Netherland’s 5th penalty giving Morocco the chance to score and win which they did.

Norway 2-1 Ivory Coast

The first half was very tight. The Ivory coast had most of the chances but in the 37th minute Norway was on the attack. Odegaard passed the ball to Antonito Nusa who cut the ball onto his right foot and curled the ball into the top corner to give Norway the lead. Both teams continued to have chances but the score remained 1-0 to Norway. In the 74th minute, Amad Diallo did a one two in the box and went through on goal and slotted it past the goalie to equalize. The game looked set to be going to extra time but in the 85th minute Berg passed to Haaland and he tapped the ball into an empty net to give Norway the late win.

France 3-0 Swedden

Tournament favorite France continued their run and ran riot vs Sweden. Right before half time Mbappe dribbled his way into the box and curved the ball past the keeper to give France the lead. In the 53rd minute Barcola was played through on goal and doubled France’s lead. To top off the dominant performance, in the 74th minute Olise played through Mbappe who scored with his signature side foot finish. 3-0, a perfect game performance from France.

Mexico 2-0 Ecuador

With the entire stadium behind them Mexico started the game on the front foot. In the 22nd minute Julian Quinones was played through on goal, he blasted the ball into the top corner to give Mexico a deserved lead. 8 minutes later the ball fell to Raúl Jiménez who took a touch and slotted the ball into the top corner to double Mexico's lead. Ecuador wasn’t able to break down the Mexican defense. In the 95th minute Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié covered his mouth and said something to a Mexican player, resulting in a red card, adding more misery to Ecuador's day.

England 2- 1 DR Congo

There was an exception that England would crush the DR Congo but in the 7th minute after a defensive mixup Brian Cipenga received the ball on the wing and stuck a surprise near post finish past the goalie to give the DR Congo the shock lead. It took until the 75th minute for England to finally score the equalizer from a Kane header. In the 86th minute the ball fell to Harry Kane, he took a touch past the defenders and blasted the ball top corner past the keeper to win the game for England. The DR Congo defended brilliantly but was no match for Harry Kane.