The FIFA World Cup has always produced upsets where underdog teams have made dream runs in the knockout stages of the tournament. Day 19 produced two such upsets and nearly another.
The opening game between Brazil and Japan was a low scoring one where both sides had to search for opportunities to create chances. Completely different styles and philosophies led to a delicious battle that saw Japan ran out of steam to turn in their favor. Brazil had the flair to unlock the disciplined Japanese side that featured
some heroic saves from Zion Suzuki. The Brazilians came from behind to win for the first time since 2002 in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
The other two tales however, were of David vs. Goliath where David emerged victorious. Germany’s lethargy served them well in getting brutally punished by an aggressive Paraguay team. Questionable officiating played spoilsport that ended Germany’s woes sooner rather than later in this tournament.
Morocco never seemed or played like underdogs. They dominated possession, chance creation and were the more composed side when the game went to penalties. The three games featured typical World Cup bone crunching defending and shot stopping that played a huge role in keeping the scores low. Watch the highlights and goals below.
A punishing turnover
Kaishu Sano and the Japanese midfield’s relentless efforts paid off here. Their purposeful pressing and positioning led to a dangerous interception. Brazil were caught in between their own transition that left Sano acres of space ahead of him. Gabriel kept falling back and never pressed Sano, expecting a cross or a late shot. However, the shot taken from the edge of box completely removed Gabriel from the equation. Despite Casemiro’s attempts to roughhouse and distract Sano from behind, the shot was buried in the corner beating Alisson Becker.
Brazil ups the ante but Suzuki stood in the way
Zion Suzuki was the rock on which the Japanese defense was founded on. His presence gave Hajime Moriyasu’s men a great sense of reassurance. Brazil’s Bruno Guimarães got in between the Japanese defenders and connected with a beautiful cross from Danilo. Suzuki came in clutch to save Japan and hold on to the lead.
Brazil denied cruelly
The second half saw Carlo Ancelotti’s men take the pitch with renewed vigor. They squeezed Japan into their own third and kept sending balls in. Rayan’s cross was headed back in Casemiro’s way by Douglas Santos. The midfielder threw himself at the ball to head in the equalizer. But,Tomiyasu deflected the shot. Suzuki who was drawn away from the goal by Santos finally got a hand to the ball, pushing it away gingerly before it finally got booted away by Hiroki Ito. Total pinball action as the ball saw five touches in less than two seconds at the mouth of Japan’s goal and somehow it stayed out.
The equalizer finally did arrive
Finally Brazil broke down the Samurais’ stubborn low-block. Gabriel found himself with sufficient time to out in a peach of a cross into the box. The Japanese call to fall back and not press the Brazilian centre-half proved to be fatal. Casemiro was waiting at the far side to pummel in the vital equalizer and unlocked the route for a comeback.
Vinicus Jr. went for glory
This was an incredible piece of play! Vinicius Jr. was often double and triple teamed all game just to contain him. Nonetheless his speed and trickery broke through all that in this instance. It began with nutmegging the full back Tomiyasu and charging into the box.
Next was the scorer Kaishu Sano. Vini dropped his right shoulder before dashing towards the left, leaving Sano in his wake. Shogo Taniguchi put in a last ditch sliding tackle to stop the shot but could do nothing as Vini chipped the ball past the central defender. Once again, the goalie Suzuki got a vital touch and put a stop to an incredible run by the Brazilian winger.
Suzuki’s huge touch deserves another look
An incredible to stop to an incredible run! Zion Suzuki was not just Japan’s best player, but he was the best player on the pitch. His positioning, reactions and reading of the game gave Japan the edge to almost knock Brazil out in the round of 32.
A late goal once again becomes the decider
Gabriel stole the ball from Tanaka in stoppage time at the edge of Japan’s box. It was a precarious moment were Japan were caught ball watching that allowed Bruno Guimarães to freely receive the ball right in front of the box. The midfielder instantly sent it to a waiting Martinelli who was clinical to score the winner at the death and seal the round of 16 spot for Brazil.
Paraguay showed Germany how it is done
Germany were caught off guard by a determined Paraguay side. Gustaro Alfaro’s men needed only 50 passes to score a goal which Germany could not do despite making more than 250 passes up until that point. The cross from Matías Galarza was sharp and on point. The header from Enciso was driven into the ground and Manuel Neuer had no time to react to what became Paraguay’s first goal.
The faintest of touches
The second half saw Germany play with a lot more intent. They moved faster and crossed the ball more often. Wirtz whipped in a vicious cross that was met by Kai Havertz. The German attacker got across his marker, shielding the cross before his deft touch sent the ball into the back of the net. An important goal for Germany!
The Wirtz and Havertz link up!
It was Wirtz one again with a great dipping cross into the box. It was precise and evaded the Paraguayan defenders. Havertz leaped and got himself on top of the ball to head it into goal. Despite the header being beside him,Orlando Gill had to make a blazing fast reaction to stop Havertz from giving Germany the lead.
The winner that wasn’t meant to be
Jonathan Tah’s scram to the far side of goal worked its wonder as his header into goal could not be stopped. However, Anton’s action just before the header was deemed illegal by VAR and called a foul. In the defender’s defense, Anton did move close to keeper Orlando Gill. But, the fall was a result of the goalie turning into Anton rather than an obvious shove. Compared to Paraguay’s shenanigans this came off as a soft call. Foul or not ? You be the judge of it.
Paraguay did the impossible and knocked Germany out!
Paraguay dragged Germany to the penalties and performed the impossible. Orlando Gill made two crucial saves for the South American side. Joshua Kimmich’s team unfortunately scored just 3 of 6 penalties taken as Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah missed their mark. José Canale scored the winner to send Paraguay into the round of 16.
Morocco put Netherlands on the backfoot immediately
Morocco were in no mood to soak in the occasion and start carefully. They just went right at it. The attacks from the Atlan Lions were fast, direct and carried a huge goal threat. Neil El Aynaoui sent in a blistering header on target from the corner. The Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen’s lightening quick reaction save kept the scoreline level and prevented the Moroccans from taking an early lead.
Hakimi’s rocket saved!
Once this stretch of play was quick and very direct. Achraf Hakimi who started at right-back had the license to join the attack. He was fed a great ball with space ahead of him by Ismael Saibari. Brahim Diaz’s tackle to win the ball back immediately gave the extra time for Morocco to resume their attack. The great chemistry among the African side meant that they could make many passes just knowing someone would be there to receive it and capitalize on empty spaces.
The Dutch with a stinger of their own
The energetic defense of Morocco was breached by a clever switch of flanks by the Dutch. Before the opposition forwards could react and press him, Micky van de Ven fancied his chances from 30 yards and launched the ball at Yassine Bounou’s goal. The Moroccan goalkeeper got an important touch to the rising ball and prevented a late first half goal for the Netherlands.
Saibari netted himself in!
In the final minutes of stoppage a great opportunity had presented itself to Morocco. The free-kick from the flanks beat everyone and glided across the goal waiting to be nudged in. Ismael Saibari, who was a handful for the defenders threw himself at the ball but could not poke it in the net. The bounce was at a weird height and grazed his thighs as it went by.
Only a spectacular finish from that angle could have worked
Perhaps Hakimi could have laid it off for Saibari in that situation. Verbruggen positioned himself perfectly cutting off any cheeky shot attempts from the Moroccan captain who continued to lead the attack from the front.
One of the best tackles in the 2026 World Cup
Micky van de Ven slid in dangerously in the penalty area to pick Hakimi’s pocket from behind. Had he missed the tackle or caught the attacker, it could have led to a penalty or a goal. But, the Dutch midfielder saved his team with a clutch tackle that earned him even Hakimi’s respect.
Netherlands score a clinical goal
The goal came against the run of play and was set up quickly from behind. The long ball from the keeper was laid off to Crysencio Summerville who carried the ball beyond the defender and tumbled just outside of the box. The attacker however made a unreal pass from the ground to Gakpo to assist their first goal.
Not another late goal?!
Morocco left it late with a thundering header from Issa Diop. This was a classical footballing move from the coach Mohamed Ouahbi. With hardly a few minutes left to spare he pushed his center-half all the way forward and had the team fire crosses into the goal. The Dutch backline were matched 4 v 4 due to Diop’s presence and were beaten to the cross by the 29 year-old Moroccan defender. With both teams tied 1-1, this late goal sent the game into extra time.
Saibari lined it up on a silver platter for Rahimi
Morocco’s greater control in chance creation continued into extra time. Chemsdine Talbi and Saibari connected in between the Dutch lines. Saibari’s sensational flick beat the defenders to find Rahimi right in front of goal. The Moroccan number 9’s deft first touch set him up perfectly to score the winner in extra time. But, Bart Verbruggen rose to the occasion and stopped a sure shot goal, forcing the game into penalties.
The Atlas Lions power through the penalty shootout to the Ro16
The third game of day 19 followed in the footsteps of the second. 1-1 draw followed by extra time, followed by penalties. This game featured more misses and some crucial saves that saw the penalties end 3-2 in favor of Morocco who have booked their berth in the round of 16. Netherlands on the other hand have to return home with a disappointing result.
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