World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Delivers Instant Classic with Penalty Shootouts and Late Drama
The first four matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 featured dramatic late goals, two penalty shootouts, Canada's historic win, Paraguay's
World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Delivers Instant Classic with Penalty Shootouts and Late Drama
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered the knockout stage in spectacular fashion, with the opening four Round of 32 matches producing everything football fans could have hoped for. Dramatic late goals, two penalty shootouts, a stunning upset and unforgettable moments have already turned the expanded knockout format into an instant success. Canada opened the Round of 32 with a historic 1-0 victory over South Africa , securing its first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout win thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time goal. The victory sparked wild celebrations among the home supporters and provided the perfect start to the tournament's elimination phase. Brazil followed with a tense 2-1 win over Japan , relying on another late strike to avoid an upset. The five-time world champions were pushed to their limits but once again demonstrated their trademark resilience when the pressure was at its highest. One of the tournament's biggest shocks came as Paraguay eliminated Germany after a thrilling contest …
