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The 2026 World Cup knockout stage is delivering drama at every turn. With the Round of 16 well underway, we’ve already witnessed France’s gritty resilience, Morocco’s historic achievement, and one of the most thrilling matches in World Cup history as Argentina barely survived a Cape Verde upset for the ages.
France 1–0 Paraguay: “Dirty Football” Gets the Job Done
France didn’t play the “champagne football” fans expected in Philadelphia. Instead, they played what Kylian MbappĂ© called “dirty football” — and it worked.
In sweltering 100°F (38°C) heat on Independence Day, Les Bleus struggled to break down a physical Paraguay side. The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when substitute Désiré Doué was brought down in the box, and after a VAR check, Mbappé calmly slotted the penalty home.
Key stat: Mbappé now has 19 goals in 19 World Cup appearances — tied with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.
Paraguay committed 13 fouls without a single yellow card, a stat that frustrated the French camp. But France held on, and will now face Morocco in the quarter-finals on July 9.
Morocco 3–0 Canada: History Made Again
Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals twice, sweeping past co-hosts Canada 3-0 in Houston.
Azzedine Ounahi scored twice (51′, 72′), and Soufiane Rahimi added a third in stoppage time. Under new manager Mohamed Ouahbi, Morocco has evolved from the defensive pragmatism of the Regragui era into a more progressive, counter-attacking force.
Canada’s Cinderella run ends, but they leave the tournament with their heads held high after winning their first-ever knockout match in the last 32.
Argentina 3–2 Cape Verde (AET): The Shock That Almost Was
This was the game of the tournament so far.
Cape Verde — a tiny island nation with a population of just 600,000 — took Argentina to the absolute limit. The match went to extra time tied at 1-1 after Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha (40 years old, plays in the Portuguese second division) put on a masterclass.
Lisandro MartĂnez put Argentina ahead in the 92nd minute. But Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral produced a moment of pure magic — a stunning curling effort from outside the box in the 102nd minute that has to be seen to be believed.
Argentina finally prevailed when Cristian Romero bundled home a Messi corner in the 111th minute. But Cape Verde’s players left the pitch as heroes, having captured the world’s imagination.
What’s Next: Round of 16 Schedule
| Match | Date & Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil vs Norway | July 5, 4:00 PM | Los Angeles |
| Mexico vs England | July 5, 8:00 PM | Mexico City (Azteca) |
| Portugal vs Spain | July 6, 3:00 PM | Dallas |
| USA vs Belgium | July 6, 8:00 PM | San Francisco |
| Argentina vs Egypt | July 7, 12:00 PM | Atlanta |
| Switzerland vs Colombia | July 7, 4:00 PM | Miami |
Quarter-Final Already Set
France vs Morocco — July 9, 4:00 PM ET
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 2026 World Cup being held?
The 2026 World Cup is a historic three-nation edition hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico across 16 cities. Today’s matches feature Brazil vs Norway at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Mexico vs England at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
Who are the favorites to win the World Cup 2026?
France entered as pre-tournament favorites and continue to look strong despite their gritty win over Paraguay. Brazil, Argentina, England, and Spain are also considered serious contenders.
Has any African team reached the World Cup semi-finals before?
Yes — Morocco became the first African team to reach the semi-finals in 2022. With their quarter-final berth in 2026, they’ve now made the last eight twice, cementing their status as Africa’s World Cup standard-bearer.
How can I watch the 2026 World Cup?
The tournament is broadcast on Fox Sports (English) and Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish) in the US. Streaming options include FuboTV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.
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