Germany crashes out of World Cup in Round of 32; Morocco stuns Netherlands on penalties

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 has delivered significant upsets and dramatic finishes in the last 48 hours. Four-time champions Germany were eliminated after losing to Paraguay on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Boston. Kai Havertz equalized for Germany, but they ultimately fell in the shootout, marking their third consecutive early World Cup exit.

Morocco advanced to the Round of 16 by defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout after their match ended 1-1 in extra time. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was key, saving a penalty before Ismael Saibari scored the decisive spot-kick.

Other notable results saw Brazil rally for a dramatic win against Japan, and Canada secure their spot in the Round of 16. Spain also picked up their first win of the campaign, thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0. The tournament's expanded 48-team format has led to increased competitiveness, with the Round of 32 beginning on June 28 across host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Germany's early exit has sparked strong reactions. Thomas Muller reportedly slammed VAR after Germany's elimination, feeling "used and cheated." Following Paraguay's shock victory, President Santiago Pena declared Tuesday a national holiday, celebrating one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic expressed anger at Ronald Koeman after the Netherlands' defeat, stating, "That makes me angry." On social media, fans on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are buzzing about the unpredictable nature of the expanded tournament, with many praising the underdog stories like Morocco and Paraguay, while others debate whether the 48-team format truly enhances the quality of play or just increases the chances of upsets. There's a palpable excitement for the knockout stages, with many predicting more surprises.