Paraguay upsets Germany on penalties, Morocco also knocks out the Netherlands on penalties, and Brazil beats Japan

Paraguay upsets Germany on penalties, Morocco also knocks out the Netherlands on penalties, and Brazil beats Japan

Two World Cup round of 32 matches went to penalty shootouts on Monday, resulting in two soccer powers, Germany and the Netherlands, exiting the tournament earlier than expected.

What to know about the World Cup today

The Dutch see another World Cup end after regulation

Losing a World Cup game in extra time or on penalty kicks is unfortunately a familiar feeling for the Netherlands.

Incredibly, the nation has not lost a World Cup match in regulation since 2010, with 10 wins and five draws entering today.

Yet when the Dutch have lost, it has always happened late. They lost to Argentina on penalty kicks in the 2014 semifinals and the 2022 quarterfinals, and tonight they lost to Morocco on penalty kicks to end their 2026 tournament run.

Three more round of 32 games to come Tuesday

After an incredible day featuring three knockout games today, the round of 32 continues tomorrow with three more matches.

First is Ivory Coast vs. Norway at 1 p.m. ET, in Arlington, Texas.

Then France plays Sweden at 5 p.m. ET in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

And the day closes with Mexico hosting Ecuador in Mexico City at 9 p.m. ET.

Morocco to face Canada in round of 16

After a dramatic win on penalty kicks in Monterrey, Morocco moves on in the knockout stage and will next face Canada in Houston on Saturday.

Morocco wins on final penalty kick!

Ismael Saibari stepped up as the final penalty taker for Morocco and delivered his team a berth in the round of 16 with a shot that was buried into the left corner. Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen played brilliantly all game, but he dived to his left, guessing the wrong side.

What a game, and Morocco moves on, while the Netherlands, which looked so strong during the group stage, is eliminated.

Crysencio Summerville's shot is blocked, and now Morocco can win

The Dutch striker's shot was saved by Morocco thanks to a brilliant left-handed save. Morocco can win with one more goal.

Achraf Hakimi also misses to keep penalty kicks tied

Incredible! The star captain of Morocco shoots left, and the ball hits the far post and bounces away.

It's a 2-2 tie with each team having one shot left.

Quinten Timber's shot goes wide left

Oh, what a miss for the Netherlands, with the shot going left of the goal.

It's a 2-2 tie, but now Morocco has an opening to win if it can make its next two shots.

Chemsdine Talbi scores for Morocco to tie it up

With two shots left for both teams, this is tied 2-2.

Wout Weghorst scores to put Netherlands ahead for now

The Netherlands leads 2-1 with two shots to go for the Dutch.

Morocco's shot is blocked, then goes in

Soufiane Rahimi's shot was initially stopped by the Netherlands, but the ball was knocked into the goal by the goalkeeper's leg. Wow.

And now the Netherlands misses!

Justin Kluivert missed his shot wide.

Neil El Aynaoui misses for Morocco

Morocco's first shot goes high and misses off the crossbar.

Teun Koopmeiners scores for Netherlands

The first shot of penalty kicks goes in, and it's 1-0 to the Netherlands.

Morocco team appears to pray before penalty shootout

Cameras showed Morocco's manager, Mohamed Ouahbi, in a circle with members of the team, and they appeared to be praying. Tense moments here as the match moves to penalties.

Penalty kicks will decide Netherlands-Morocco

Well, 120 minutes weren't enough to decide a winner of one of the most anticipated round of 32 games in this World Cup. Off to penalty kicks we go, with each team getting five attempts to start.

Five minutes away from penalty kicks

Both teams look tired after playing 115 minutes today. There's about five minutes remaining in extra time before we head to penalty kicks.

The Netherlands, in particular, drew some ire from the Fox broadcasting crew, who felt it hadn't been playing that aggressively in extra time, seeming to prefer just getting the game to penalties.

Second half of extra time is underway!

If no one scores here, we're 15 minutes from another penalty shootout. Paraguay upset Germany on penalties earlier today.

Teams take a break midway through extra time

Morocco and the Netherlands take a break after the 105th minute before starting the final 15 minutes of extra time. Netherlands teammates could be seen thanking goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after his game-saving save minutes earlier.

Incredible save preserves a tie

After a beautiful juke to his right caused a Netherlands defender to slide, Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi had a clear opportunity for a shot that would put his team ahead in extra time.

The Netherlands' Bart Verbruggen saves from Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi. Eloisa Sanchez / Reuters

But goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen kept the Netherlands' World Cup hopes alive by blocking the shot with his right thigh, which he'd kicked out desperately, before the ball glanced off his glove.

Extra time is underway in Monterrey!

Will we see a goal here? Or are we 30 minutes away from another penalty shootout?

This match is going to extra time

Another 30 minutes of soccer awaits in the round of 32 for Morocco and the Netherlands after Issa Diop's goal in the 91st minute created a 1-1 tie. That was only Morocco's second shot on goal of the entire match, but it was a perfect header.

Morocco's 537 accurate passes tonight are twice as many as the Netherlands', but they led to only a few chances. We'll see whether that changes in extra time. A reminder that if it's still tied after extra time, the match goes into penalty kicks.

Morocco draws level in stoppage time

Issa Diop celebrates scoring Morocco's first goal with Soufiane Rahimi. Eloisa Sanchez / Reuters

We have a draw in Monterrey after Issa Diop's dramatic goal just as the game crossed into stoppage time in the 90th minute. Diop found separation behind all-world defender Virgil van Dijk and headed Chemsdine Talbi's perfect cross into the goal.

Six minutes of stoppage time have been added.

In the 86th minute, both teams took the opportunity to rotate on two fresh players. The most notable change was the Netherlands' taking off defender Micky van de Ven. The other changes were all in midfield and attack.

Cody Gakpo scores while dealing with loss of unborn son

Gakpo just scored to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead, and he seemed emotional in the moment, pointing to the sky. On Saturday, his partner, Noa van der Bij, posted on social media that they had lost their unborn son during pregnancy.

According to Reuters, Gakpo was given time off to spend with his family, who are staying near the team base in Kansas City as the Netherlands competes in the World Cup.

And finally, in the 71st minute, the Netherlands has broken the scoreless deadlock after a wild run that ended with Cody Gakpo's score.

Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring the Netherlands' first goal. Eloisa Sanchez / Reuters

After a perfect header at midfield by Wout Weghorst advanced the ball deep in Morocco's half of the field, Crysencio Summerville dribbled close to the goal before he was taken down. While some of the Dutch pleaded for a foul, Gakpo raced in to score on the rebound.

Morocco's Chadi Riad now on his fourth jersey

That's according to the Fox broadcast. I wonder how many more jerseys he can go through before this match ends. The play certainly has been physical, with players battling for positioning and space on nearly every run.

The second-half hydration break is here

Morocco has controlled possession and has more shots on goal, but the game remains scoreless. Will Morocco be rewarded for its persistence? Or will the Netherlands grind it down and win in extra time or penalties?

The Netherlands survives four corner kicks in quick succession

Morocco's first attempt at a corner was the closest to scoring, but Achraf Hakimi's near-post attempt was pushed out at the last moment. Morocco tried three more corners in succession, but none came as close to scoring.

Sensational defense stops another Moroccan chance

Achraf Hakimi looked to have another opportunity to take an open shot on goal in the 54th minute, until Dutch defender Micky van de Ven chased him down and made a risky tackle in the goal box.

Van de Ven expertly went for the ball, and no foul was called even though Hakimi took a tumble. How can you tell it was a clean tackle? Even Hakimi didn't complain, instead giving van de Ven a dap of respect.

Morocco's shot goes off the crossbar

The best chance of the game for Morocco just bounced off the crossbar in the 51st minute. Achraf Hakimi collected a pass over the top of the defense while staying onside and had a difficult but clean shot to his left, but it went just high and deflected off the bar to keep the match scoreless.

Only a minute into the second half — a second half in which neither team made any changes to its lineup — Morocco's Issa Diop grabbed at Brian Brobbey after a foul and was shown a yellow card.

The second half is underway in Monterrey

Will this be decided in the next 45 minutes, or will another game be headed to extra time today?

Halftime: No goals but plenty of chances

In the final minute of stoppage time to end the first half, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi curved his free kick right in front of the goal, seemingly just one perfect touch away from a goal. Ismael Saibari had a clean angle to the ball, but he missed it entirely, giving the Netherlands breathing room once again.

The teams have combined for seven attempts at goal, but thanks to a few one-handed saves by goalkeepers, the match remains scoreless.

A litany of injury checks will end the first half with an additional six minutes of stoppage time.

Micky van de Ven's shot is deflected

The Netherlands' Micky van de Ven got his boot on the ball cleanly in the 43rd minute and tried to shoot it high over the head of Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, but Bounou got a glove on it, sending it skyward. It remains a scoreless match entering stoppage time to end the first half.

Van Hecke bloodied after a boot to the head

Medical personnel are trying to clean up a bloody wound on the front of Jan Paul van Hecke's head after the Dutch ' defender caught a cleat in the head. He had fallen to the ground on a corner kick and was in the wrong place at the wrong time when a Moroccan player was landing. Van Hecke jogged to the sideline after his blond hair had turned red from the blood.

Match turns physical, but no cards so far

Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands has been involved in two scraps already, the latest when he was hit while going for a header and crumbled, perhaps exaggerating a tad, after Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi challenged the header, as well. No yellow cards were given out.

After a fairly tame start, this match has heated up. Right after the Netherlands pushed ahead trying to score, Morocco came back with two shots, the first by Neil El Aynaoui's header off a corner. Then a missile hit high and aimed into the corner of the net by Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi was saved at the last moment by the right hand of goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

The Netherlands comes close to a score

A long ball pass over the top of Morocco's defense was corralled by Crycensio Summerville, but as he pushed into the goal box in the 17th minute, he couldn't keep control of his dribble, and the ball bounced to Morocco's Issa Diop, who cleared it safely out of bounds. An official quickly raised the flag for offside, so the run was all for naught, anyway.

Morocco's Chadi Riad has ripped shirt

The play has been so physical early on that Riad has already changed into a second jersey, according to the Fox broadcast, and the second shirt appears to have a big rip down the right side. He'll surely be onto his third shirt soon.

Conservative start leads to boos

Neither team has pressed forward with much conviction in the first 15 minutes, and after some back-and-forth passing on the back line of the Netherlands' defense, boos could be heard from restless spectators in Monterrey.

Physical play between both teams early on

The Netherlands' Jan Paul van Hecke and Morocco's Ismael Saibari just had a bit of an altercation after they collided during a play. Van Hecke shoved Saibari, apparently taking issue with some contact as they jostled one another for positioning. No cards were issued, and play continued.

A few times already, players have hit the grass after hard tackles. Very physical game in the early going here.

What to watch for in Netherlands-Morocco

This is a classic showdown between a strong offense and a stingy defense. Morocco has not allowed a goal in five of its last seven games against European teams. Meanwhile, the Netherlands has scored two or more goals in eight of its last nine World Cup matches.

The Netherlands vs. Morocco is underway!

This is expected to be one of the most, if not the most, competitive matches of the round of 32. Who will come out on top?

Starters for the Netherlands and Morocco

We've already seen one presumptive World Cup contender lose today. This match will knock out another. Here are the starters for the Netherlands:

Virgil van Dijk hopes to lead Netherlands to first World Cup trophy

It’s a classic movie trope: the group that reunites for one last job. Who best fits that role in the context of the World Cup? It could be the Netherlands.

The ringleader is Virgil van Dijk, one of the best defenders of his generation with Liverpool, who has captained the Oranje for a national record 72 appearances and represented the Dutch national team for a decade. Though he hasn’t declared anything certain about whether this will be his last World Cup, van Dijk already mulled international retirement once, in 2024. Now 34, he certainly doesn’t have many opportunities left to earn a long-sought World Cup title for a country that finished second in 1974, 1978 and 2010.

“We’ve never done it before,” he said last year, “but I think we have a great group that can make things difficult for anyone. That would be a very beautiful dream coming true.”

High expectations follow the Netherlands after it breezed through qualification last year while outscoring opponents by 23 goals. The country has reached the knockout stage of every World Cup it has played in since 1974, and in its last three appearances, it finished second and third and made the quarterfinals. Though their title chances took a hit when Xavi Simons sustained a season-ending injury this spring, the Dutch surround van Dijk with a deep group of younger teammates, including Frenkie de Jong, Denzel Dumfries and Tijjani Reijnders. Ranked seventh in the world, the Dutch are a factor this summer and could be again during the next World Cup cycle.

Yet whether van Dijk will still be in uniform in 2030 is unclear, making this a chance the Netherlands can’t afford to lose.

Brahim Díaz at the center of another Morocco run

In another world, Malaga-born Brahim Díaz may have been representing Spain this summer at the World Cup as he did at the junior international level for much of his youth. But the Real Madrid winger made the shocking decision to play for Morocco in 2023 thanks to his father’s Moroccan heritage.

Whereas Díaz struggled to break through amid his Spanish peers, he has become a hero to fans of the Atlas Lions despite having had such limited time on the national team. His confidence on the ball has soared in the short time, as his style of play fits seamlessly and he has gotten increasing minutes for the national team since 2023.

Morocco’s then-head coach, Walid Regragui, told ESPN this year that Díaz’s ability to run the ball and fight for it through a play is important for the entire team’s morale. He added that Díaz “can be the best player in the world if he wants.”

The North African team has been making big moves since the last World Cup in Qatar, where it became both the first African and the first Arab team to make the semifinals. It then earned its first bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but without Díaz after Real Madrid refused to release him for the event.

But it’s no question that securing Díaz and his attacking presence has propelled Morocco to new heights. Díaz’s dominating force in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations won him the tournament’s golden boot and secured Morocco’s place in the final.

The Atlas Lions are hoping he’s the missing piece that can secure them a place in this summer’s World Cup finals.

Orange Army floods Monterrey ahead of Netherlands’ match against Morocco

Thousands of Dutch fans flooded the streets of Monterrey, Mexico, ahead of the Netherlands' World Cup match against Morocco in the round of 32 tonight.

Members of the Orange Army danced, sang, marched and partied, saying their iconic celebrations were a way to bring joy to the World Cup, regardless of the outcome on the pitch.

“We’re always here to celebrate, make a party. We know we’re never really here to fully win it, we do hope it, of course, but we’re here to celebrate as long as we can,” said Netherlands fan David Derotte.

Whom does knockout round favor to win World Cup?

As the World Cup round of 32 gets underway, Vaughn Dalzell and Drew Dinsick look at whom the odds favor among France, Argentina, Spain and England to take home the trophy.

Mbappé vs. Messi: Who will kick their way to the World Cup goal record?

It has taken twelve years to break this World Cup record, but any minute now it could be broken again.

The record for most goals scored during a World Cup career has become a battle between the man who set the new record last week and the man likely to beat him.

In his sixth and widely expected final World Cup, Argentinian Lionel Messi has scored six times already, including a hat trick in his opening game, catapulting the 39-year-old past Miroslav Klose’s 2014 record of 16 World Cup goals.

Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, forward for Les Bleus, is close behind. Mbappé has 16 World Cup goals, four scored in the first two games of the tournament. Both men entered the tournament neck and neck, with 13 previous World Cup goals for Messi and 12 for Mbappé. Messi has had more opportunities: This is his sixth World Cup, while it’s Mbappé’s third.

Brazil match shows Japan closing gap on top teams, coach says

Japan’s last-gasp World Cup defeat by Brazil in a match in which it stifled the five-time champions for long periods showed the national team is closing the gap with traditional soccer powerhouses, coach Hajime Moriyasu said today.

The result dashed hopes of a team touted as dark horses who could make a long run in the tournament by beating traditional soccer heavyweights such as Brazil.

“The gap between us is closing now,” Moriyasu told reporters. “Of course, Brazil are a top-tier team, and we are definitely approaching that level."

“As a result, we were devastated. Of course, there is that kind of difference in our level, and we have to up our game. To compete at the top is a goal we all have.”

Seriously, the end of that match was thrilling

Still not over the exciting finish in Paraguay vs. Germany.

First, both sides legitimately threatened to score to break the 1-1 tie in the second half.

Then, during extra time, Germany briefly took a 2-1 lead that was taken off the board because of a VAR review that determined a foul occurred before the go-ahead score.

Finally, during penalties, Paraguay was up 3-2 and needed to make only one more kick before missing its last two, nearly blowing the match.

But Paraguay held its nerve during the sudden death round and is advancing after all the twists and turns!

There is nothing like the drama of penalty kicks in the World Cup.

Paraguay wins after a marathon match that saw Germany live in the attacking third for large stretches of the game.

But thanks to some big saves from Orlando Gill and some timely kicks, it is Paraguay that is moving on to the round of 16. For Germany, that is a very bitter defeat.

José Canale wins it for Paraguay

Paraguayan fans react as they watch a live broadcast in Asunción. Daniel Duarte / AFP via Getty Images

Paraguay will face the winner of France vs. Sweden.

If Paraguay makes it, it will win.

Fabián Balbuena's penalty is saved

We're still tied after five shots; we're going to sudden death.

Nadiem Amiri scores for Germany

If Paraguay scores once more, it wins!

Nick Woltemade's penalty is saved

Germany 2, Paraguay 3. Germany is on the brink.

His penalty was very nearly saved.

Matías Galarza scores for Paraguay

Jamal Musiala scores for Germany

Gustavo Gómez scores for Paraguay

Maurício couldn’t have placed that kick better

He buried it into the right of the goal with way too much power for anyone to save.

Joshua Kimmich scores for Germany

JEWEL SAMAD / AFP via Getty Images

He stuck his big right arm in there and prevented Germany from taking the lead.

For the first time this World Cup, we’re headed to penalties

Germany and Paraguay are all tied up after 120-plus minutes of action and are headed to a penalty shootout.

The penalties will initially be best-of-five. If we're still tied after the first five, the penalties turn into rounds of sudden death.

Another save from Paraguay’s Orlando Gil

Germany just had a great chance off a corner, but Waldemar Anton’s header went right toward the center of the goal — and into the waiting arms of Gil.

Yellow card for Paraguay’s Matías Galarza

That could be a factor if Paraguay advances.

The second extra period is underway

Will either side have the stamina to win this match before penalties?

That’s it for the first extra period

We have 15 more minutes (plus stoppage time) of 11-on-11 play until this match goes to penalties.

Another Havertz header nearly goes

Kai Havertz once again nearly found the back of the net with a header, but his shot in the waning moments of the first extra period was stopped by Orlando Gil.

Germany goal taken away by VAR!

Germany came so close to taking the lead in extra time.

Off a corner kick from Nathaniel Brown, the ball found Jonathan Tah on the far post, and he smashed a header over Orlando Gil to briefly give Germany a 2-1 lead.

But a VAR replay ruled Gil was fouled, preventing him from challenging the header, and the goal was taken off the board.

Five minutes to go in the first extra period

Germany has been in control of extra time so far, playing much of the period in the attacking third.

Here’s a refresher on the rules, just in case:

There will be two 15-minute periods of extra time, with a short break in between. There is no sudden death or golden goal at the World Cup, which means the full extra-time period will be played no matter how many goals are scored.

If the teams are still tied after the two extra periods, the match will go to penalties.

Penalty kicks are best of five. If the teams are tied after five kicks, penalties move to sudden death and will end after one team scores and the other misses.

Full time: Paraguay 1, Germany 1

Abdulhamid Hosbas / Anadolu via Getty Images

We’re all tied up after 90-plus minutes.

At least another 30 minutes of action is in store as the teams battle to make the round of 16.

We’re down to the final moments of the second half. That this one is tied is not for a lack of trying, as both sides have looked to attack for the go-ahead goal.

Another Havertz header almost goes in

Kai Havertz nearly had a second goal after another Florian Wirtz cross, but his attempt was saved deftly by Orlando Gil.

It’s been a fun, physical match so far.

Germany has the edge in possession, while Paraguay has managed to attempt more shots on goal.

Neither side has been shy of attacking, which has been a nice change of pace compared with the first couple of knockout stage matches.

Yellow card for Paraguay’s Andrés Cubas

This has been a physical match, but that’s our first card of the game.

Easy save for Germany’s Manuel Neuer

Neuer made a chill stop on a header from Gustavo Caballero, who managed to connect on a cross into the box.

Goal! Germany finds an equalizer!

After Florian Wirtz crossed in from the left side of the pitch, Kai Havertz got just enough of his head on the ball to flick it into the far side of the goal.

Nearly a second goal for Paraguay

After a whiffed clearance by Germany, Julio Enciso had a chance for his second goal, but he couldn’t get enough power on his attempt at a right-footed flick, and the shot was stopped by Manuel Neuer.

Germany will be looking to equalize after playing an aggressive first half. It has already made a sub, bringing on Leon Goretzka for Felix Nmecha.

Halftime: Paraguay 1, Germany 0

What a fascinating first half in New England.

Germany had the ball for most of the opening 45 minutes, but it’s Paraguay that’s in the lead, 1-0.

Paraguay did more with its time with the ball compared with Germany, as it leads both in expected goals and, most importantly, on the scoreboard.

Germany denied during stoppage time

Joshua Kimmich had a chance from the left side of the box, but his shot was saved by Orlando Gil. Germany has been attacking relentlessly since Paraguay took the lead.

After Germany dominated possession for most of the half, Paraguay has taken the lead in the 42nd minute.

Off a pass from Matías Galarza, Julio Enciso headed the ball into the left side of the net.

Under 15 minutes until stoppage time

Germany has been knocking on the door a bit this half, playing much of the game in the attacking third. But Germany hasn’t generated a great chance yet, while Paraguay must be hoping just to dribble for a little bit at this point.

Germany’s been the more attacking side so far, though Paraguay actually leads in expected goals 0.18 to 0.07. The play is getting physical already, with bodies hitting the ground often.

Germany is very much on the attack early

We’re 15 minutes into this match, and Germany has controlled possession for nearly 80% of the time so far. After an early corner for Paraguay, Germany has practically lived in the attacking third.

Off a corner kick, Júnior Alonso found himself on the right side of the box with a little space to shoot, but he couldn’t muster enough power on his volley, and his shot was ultimately harmless.

Germany vs. Paraguay is underway!

The second knockout match of the day has kicked off. Who will join Brazil and Canada in the round of 16?

Here are the starting 11s for Germany and Paraguay

Germany fans dream of beating France once past Paraguay

Germany fans gathering in Boston yesterday, a day ahead of their team’s first World Cup knockout match against Paraguay, said they were confident about the chances of victory against the rugged South Americans, but the prospect of meeting France in the next round was more of a challenge.

“It’s not going to be pretty, but the result will count, so they will have to put up a tough fight,” Tim Nikolayzik, who is originally from Bremen and has worked in finance in New York since 2019, said of today’s game with Paraguay.

Nikolayzik said he was cautiously optimistic about the four-time world champions’ encounter against the South Americans, who are competing in their first World Cup in 16 years.

Musiala at the center of Germany's attack

Jamal Musiala spent much of his childhood in England, developing his game in Chelsea’s youth academy and playing for England’s youth teams with his close friend Jude Bellingham.

But in the summer of 2019, around the time of Brexit, the 16-year-old Musiala left to join Bayern Munich in Germany. Musiala was born there, to a German mother and a British Nigerian father, before he moved to England as a young boy.

When Musiala arrived at Bayern, his new teammate Leroy Sané gave him a nickname — Bambi, presumably for his tall, slender build. He was just 17 when he made his debut for Bayern and became the youngest player in team history to play in the Bundesliga.

In the end, Musiala decided to represent Germany on the international stage. Not England.

“I’ve thought about this question a lot,” Musiala told The Athletic. “‘What is best for my future?’ ‘Where do I have more chances to play?’ In the end, I just listened to the feeling that over a long period of time kept telling me that it was the right decision to play for Germany, the land I was born in.”

Now, Musiala is 23 and one of the best young players in the world, an attacking midfielder who’s a magician with the ball at his feet, who also has a knack for finding the back of the net. From 2022 through 2025, he scored 34 goals in 82 Bundesliga matches for Bayern.

On the German national team, he’s joined by several Bayern teammates. He and two of them — right back Joshua Kimmich and center back Jonathan Tah — combined with Florian Wirtz, the point-guard-esque midfielder who plays for Liverpool, comprise Germany’s talented core.

Last summer, Musiala sustained a major injury during the Club World Cup, a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle, and he seems to still be working his way back into form. If he’s healthy, expect him to be at the center of the action for Germany at the summer’s World Cup.

For England, he will always be the one that got away.

After today’s win, Brazil will not play again until Sunday.

In the round of 16, Brazil will play the winner of Norway vs. Ivory Coast, which will battle tomorrow in Dallas.

After Japan took a 1-0 lead in the first half, Brazil relentlessly attacked in the second half, equalizing in the 56th minute before scoring again with only a minute to spare in stoppage time.

Japan battled valiantly but ultimately couldn’t spend enough time on the ball to threaten Brazil.

Goal! Brazil scores with a minute to spare!

Brazil has taken a 2-1 lead in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Receiving a pass right in front of the goal, Gabriel Martinelli tapped the ball with his left foot to his right and scored a goal into the far side of the net.

That will send Brazil to the Round of 16.

Brazil is not content playing for extra time, as it has kept attacking since equalizing this match. Japan is on its heels.

A refresher on extra time rules

We’re less than 10 minutes from stoppage time, and this match is still tied, so here’s a reminder of what happens if neither side can score before the second half ends.

There will be two 15-minute periods of extra time if the match ends in a draw, with a short break in between. There is no sudden death or golden goal at the World Cup, which means the full extra-time period will be played no matter how many goals are scored.

Penalty kicks are a best of five. If the teams are tied after five kicks, penalties move to sudden death, and will end after one team scores and the other misses.

It’s 1-1 midway through the second half, as Brazil has flexed its might since halftime.

In addition to the goal from Casemiro, Brazil has been generating several chances, and it nearly scored both before and after what was the equalizer.

Can Japan hold on and force this to extra time? Will Brazil’s aggression backfire? This final stretch is shaping up to be quite exciting.

Vini Jr. almost gives Brazil the lead

Vini Jr. just went on an incredible run down the left side of the pitch, nutmegging a defender and dribbling his way into the box. But his left-footed shot was deflected by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, and the ball hit the inside of the post before bouncing away from the goal.

Brazil is now generating scoring chance after scoring chance.

Brazil’s second-half aggression has paid off!

After multiple chances from right in front of the goal nearly got Brazil on the board, a cross from Gabriel Magalhães to the right side of the box found Casemiro’s head, which buried the ball into the back of the net.

Yellow card for Brazil’s Danilo

That’s the fourth yellow of this match.

On the comeback trail, Brazil put forward Endrick in the game for midfielder Lucas Paquetá.

Brazil is on the hunt for an equalizer after a shocking goal from Japan in the first half.

This is setting up to be a fascinating second half in Houston.

Japan leads Brazil 1-0 after the first 45 minutes, taking advantage of essentially its only chance so far.

Brazil has dominated possession but has not turned that into opportunities to score.

How aggressive will Brazil be coming out of the break? And can Japan afford to continue playing so defensively?

Kaishu Sano #24 of Japan celebrates with Ayase Ueda #18 and Keito Nakamura #13 after scoring the team's first goal. Michael Regan / FIFA via Getty Images

A yellow for Japan’s Daichi Kamada

Kamada knew what he was doing on that foul, taking the card to prevent a dangerous counterattack from Brazil.

Five minutes to go until stoppage time

Brazil has turned up the heat a little bit since Japan took the lead.

Ronaldinho links up with NBA star Jimmy Butler

The Brazil legend shared a moment with the Golden State Warriors star at today’s game in Houston.

Butler, who is from Tomball, Texas, was also at the Colombia vs. Portugal game over the weekend. He seems to be enjoying the World Cup action, even as his name pops up in trade rumors.

Despite being on the defensive for most of this match, Japan is now in front!

Kaishu Sano stole a pass in the middle of the field and then did the rest, running down the middle of the pitch before burying a right-footed strike into the left side of the goal, his first score in international play.

Japan leads 1-0 with 15 minutes to go until stoppage time.

Time for the first-half hydration break

It’s been a sleepy match so far. Brazil has definitely been on the ball more than Japan, but it hasn’t created any big chances and has only one shot on goal. It doesn’t look like either side is ready to put its foot on the gas just yet.

And now a yellow for Brazil’s Casemiro

He was carded for a foul outside the box on Junya Ito.

Japan’s Kaishu Sano carded after foul on Vinícius Júnior

Sano kept his cleat up after a challenge and stepped on Vini Jr.’s ankle, earning him a yellow.

Brazil is dominating possession early

Over 10 minutes into this match, Brazil has controlled the ball for nearly 77% of the action. It hasn’t resulted in a chance of note for Brazil, but it’s not a great start for Japan.

The first of three knockout matches today has kicked off in Houston.

Here are the starting lineups for Brazil vs. Japan

NBC’s chief data analyst Steve Kornacki joins "TODAY" to break down all the must-watch matchups. He weighs in on the United States’ odds, the dark horses of the games and the longest shot to win.

Ranking each team as the knockout rounds arrive

Below we rank all 48 teams at the 2026 men’s World Cup and group them into categories of how likely they are to win it all.

Dutch rally around Gakpo after loss of unborn son

Netherlands have rallied around striker Cody Gakpo after he and his partner lost their unborn son during pregnancy, with coach Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk hailing the couple’s fortitude.

Gakpo’s partner Noa van der Bij posted about the loss on social media on Saturday and Gakpo has been given time off to spend with family who are staying near the team base in Kansas City as the Netherlands compete in the World Cup.

“We have done what was within our power in terms of support, as players, as staff,” said Koeman.

“Of course, the first few days he had the freedom to go out to his family and be with them. He dealt with it very well, there was never a moment where he said ‘I want to go back, I want to be with the family’.”

Van Dijk said he had lots of respect for how Gakpo and his family had dealt with the situation and said he expected the striker to be fully focused on today’s clash against Morocco in the last 32.

“The most important thing is to ask: ‘What do you need?’ It’s awful news and it shows that football is secondary. There are more important things in life. It’s very sad but Cody deals with it.

“He’s very mature, very adult. I have lots of respect for the way he and his family are handling this. However awful it is, I respect it very much.”

Gakpo has made no comment but is expected to play.

Vini Jr. looking to join list of Brazil's greats

Throughout Brazil’s storied soccer history, most of its best players have been known by a single name — Pelé, Ronaldo, Robinho, Kaká, Neymar. When one fades into the background, another seemingly appears. That’s how fertile the soccer talent is in Brazil, a country that has won the World Cup a record five times.

Neymar, Brazil’s last mononym star, is now on the backside of his career. He’s 34 and has not been the same player since a 2023 knee injury. There have been enough questions about his play that when word came that he had made Brazil’s World Cup roster, it made headlines.

In his place, a new star has emerged: Vinícius Júnior. Also known as Vini Jr., it’s not quite one name, but close enough.

Vini Jr. started his career with the Brazilian club Flamengo and showed so much promise that when he was just 16, Real Madrid reportedly paid around $50 million to secure his rights when he turned 18. Sky Sports reported that it was the second-largest signing from Brazil in history. The largest? Neymar.

Vini Jr. has been worth the money, though, and then some. He’s developed into an electric left winger with the speed, athleticism and dribbling ability to solve any defense.

He’s helped Real win La Liga and Champions League titles in the same year, twice — in 2022 and again in 2024. In the 2022 Champions League final, he scored the match’s only goal in a 1-0 win over Liverpool. Then in 2024, he scored again as Real beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0. That year, he also finished second to Rodri for the Ballon d’Or award.

Not only is Vini Jr. one of the best players in the world, but he’s spoken out against racism in soccer and done charitable work in his native Brazil. He’d be hailed as a hero even more if he were to deliver the country’s first World Cup win since 2002.

Who can pull off an upset in the Round of 32?

Joe Prince-Wright and Nick Mendola go through the entire World Cup Round of 32 fixture list to share their matchup previews, predictions and favorite upset picks.

Japan hope to slay Brazil without star player in World Cup knockouts

In a friendly in Tokyo last October, Brazil surrendered a two-goal halftime lead and watched Japan pull ahead for an eventual 3-2 victory.

Rayan, a 19-year-old forward, was not part of Brazil’s team that day, so perhaps he can be forgiven for admitting he doesn’t know much about the Japanese squad.

“I don’t know who their best player is,” Rayan said when a Japanese reporter asked him. “I’d have to watch the video to be able to tell you. We know that Japan is a very strong team and we have to work hard to give it our all and beat them.”

The Selecao will be on alert when they come face to face with the Samurai Blue in the round of 32 today in Houston.

Options Rayan could have considered in his answer included Takefusa Kubo, a forward nicknamed “the Japanese Messi,” or perhaps Ayase Ueda, a Feyenoord striker with 18 goals for his national team. But Kubo hasn’t played since suffering a meniscus tear in Japan’s opener against the Netherlands, and yesterday he was ruled out for the Brazil clash.