Winners and Losers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32
That was a pretty dramatic Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
We had late goals, comebacks, and giants felled. We had tears. We had VARโฆbut less about that.
More than all, we had winners and losersโฆ
Winner: USMNT's Grit and Determination
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How would you have described the United States before this World Cup? Words like 'weak' and 'easy to beat' would have probably come to mind.
Mauricio Pochettino's men have worked hard to dispel that evaluation. We once again saw a team that can play sharp, energetic football in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Florent Balogun's red card significantly altered the objective. Survival became key - and there were rocky moments. But the US kept attacking, had a goal disallowed, and then finished the match with a brilliant second goal. That took guts.
The elephant in the room does need to be addressed: the co-hosts have had an immensely favourable draw. Belgium is a step up in challenge, but they are a perfect opponent for Pochettino's team, who will be more than confident of slaying a big European nation that has a recent history of underperforming at major tournaments.
Winner: Carlo Ancelotti
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Great managers stand up in difficult moments.ย
It doesn't matter that Carlo Ancelotti is new to international management; the pedigree of a man who has won five Champions League titles was right there in the second half against Japan.ย
His Brazil were played off the park in the first 45 minutes. They couldn't hold the ball, struggled to create chances, and could have been more than one goal down. It took a personnel change and a tweak of emphasis to turn that around in the second.
Endrick, the subject of much mockery on social media as Brazil supporters continue to joke about how little Ancelotti wants to use him, was the player to open up some space just by occupying defenders that Lucas Paqueta wasn't. This allowed Matheus Cunha and, later, substitute match-winner Gabriel Martinelli, to play with more freedom in the final third.
Adding to that, the Selecao stopped trying to score a beautiful goal. Casemiro's presence in the box provided an important route to victory, just as he has all season for Manchester United.
This is not the Brazil of old. It's not Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaka. Ancelotti seems to have recognised that - and it should make them a better team.
Loser: Cristiano Ronaldo
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Goncalo Ramos had been on the pitch for just 30 minutes before scoring Portugal's winner against Croatia.ย
He snuck between defenders with a brilliantly timed run, the sharpness of his movement putting him in position to guide home a quite excellent header. It was a snapshot of post-Cristiano Ronaldo life for a nation that just can't seem to let go of its icon.
Ronaldo's general play in this tournament has been dire. He's lacked quality on the ball and has once again missed big chances, just like he did at the last European Championships. However, it's his lack of running that is hurting Portugal the most.ย
Multiple times throughout the tournament, the wingers have been busting a gut to get the ball in, and Ronaldo isn't even in the box. Instead, Roberto Martinez is relying on Bruno Fernandes or another midfielder to make up the ground as the furthest player forward. It isn't working.
At one point against Croatia, Ronaldo stood on Rafael Leao's wing, getting in the way when a pass was headed out to the winger, who had an electric match. Leao looked confused as Ronaldo took the ball, laid it off to him, and then just remained in the way.
Martinez eventually made four substitutions with 63 minutes played, as Portugal was losing. Even Ronaldo thought his time was up, but the coach didn't pull the trigger. CR7 got lucky; he was on the pitch five minutes later when the penalty was awarded. His finish from the spot doesn't paper over the cracks: if Portugal is to get any further in this competition, he needs to be sacrificed with a bench role.
Ramos has proven he is ready. With Spain up next, is Ronaldo really the man to stretch a defence that is yet to concede a goal this tournament?
Loser: Surrendering Late Goals
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England in the 86th minute. Portugal in the 93rd. Brazil in the 96th. Belgium in the 125thโฆan entire five minutes after extra time was scheduled to end.ย
These weren't just winning goals - these were the minutes each Round of 32 comeback was completed. That's a lot of drama in a round that has never existed before, especially when you consider that two matches were also decided by penalties.
An extra round of knockout football naturally means more drama, creating a greater sense of heartbreak for teams that wouldn't have stuck around for another game under the older format.
So DR Congo, Croatia, Japan, and Senegal, I say - thank you. Losing those late leads has kickstarted the tournament after a duff final set of group matches that removed jeopardy by prioritising head-to-head tiebreakers over goal difference.
Winner: Harry Kane
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Harry Kane is the difference between England remaining in the World Cup and suffering one of their most embarrassing defeats of all-time.
The worrying thing for Thomas Tuchel? He is the only player who could have dragged the Three Lions beyond DR Congo.
So many players underperformed. Jude Bellingham has so often been a hero for England, but his frustration limited his game and he looked more like getting sent off than scoring a goal.
The team struggled to sustain meaningful possession and once again looked exploitable in transition. It doesn't look good for the next match with Mexico, where the Azteca, altitude and a whole manner of excuses are already being lined up.
But for now, a reminder of how good England's best player is. Kane's first goal squeezed beyond the goalkeeper. His second nearly tore the roof off the net. If you take a snapshot of the moment, he was surrounded by what seems like half the DR Congo team.
A modern great, who will likely go home without any help from his teammates.
Winners: Cabo Verde and the Underdogs
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They may not have reached the Round of 16, but wow, what a show Cabo Verde put on for us.
Coming back twice from a goal down to level with defending champions Argentina was amazing work. Sidny Lopes Cabral's curled effort may be the goal of the tournament so far. His celebration also ranks up there; what a moment it was to see him run into the crowd to celebrate with his loved ones.
Argentina just managed to squeeze through, but 3-2 after extra time says it all about how Cabo Verde and, of course, goalkeeper Vozinha, performed under the spotlight. This was a historic display from the World Cup debutants who nearly pulled off one of the greatest shocks in the competition's history.
A quick line of praise for the other underdogs, such as DR Congo, who gave England all to handle.
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