Netherlands vs. Morocco Live World Cup 2026 Updates, Scores and Highlights

Saibari has played entire career in Netherlands…and then eliminates them

Penalties would have to decide one of the most anticipated matches of the Round of 32 after countless physical clashes, several jersey changes, and blood shed on both sides. Morocco would come out on top after being the better team. They responded well to adversity after falling behind on a well-constructed Netherlands goal.

Bart Verbuggen launched the ball out quickly for Wout Weghorst to flick it toward Crysencio Summerville, who made a savvy run to get behind Morocco's back line. The classic link-up play created a goal-scoring opportunity that Koeman would have envisioned from bringing Weghorst on. Summerville would get taken down by Noussair Mazraoui for what looked like a foul. There would be no need for a whistle, as Cody Gakpo darted in to finish the attack with conviction.

Morocco never looked deflated. They remained even more persistent to score the goal they nearly earned in the 52nd minute after a pinpoint pass from Azzedine Ounahi to Acraf Hakimi put the star right back clear through. His shot would rocket off the crossbar. Hakimi's dangerous runs gave Morocco a consistent outlet to attack effectively, but it would be another player on the back line to score the vital goal.

Substitute Chemsidine Taibi found space deep on the left flank to put a ball into the box. A hopeful ball turned into a spectacular equalizer for Fulham's Issa Diop to smash a header into the back of the net. That goal injected more creativity into Morocco in extra time, as they nearly walked the ball into the net on a brilliant move from  Ismael Saibari and Soufiane Rahimi. The sharp passing and well-timed runs seemed destined to produce a goal. Verbuggen had other ideas, making one of the saves of the tournament.

A wild shootout produced three penalty misses that hit the post or crossbar. Verbuggen let a certain save somehow roll into the net after guessing correctly against Rahimi. That would prove costly over time, as Yassine Bounou made a tremendous save against Summerville. That put Morocco in a position to win with their rising star Saibari taking the final penalty. He delivered by sending a composed penalty into the bottom left corner for the well-deserved win. 

Another European nation sent packing 👋

HYPE.

Yeah, save of the tournament.

Who will take it home...

We have a TIE GAME.

We finally have a goal. Emotional strike for Cody 🙏

Still scoreless in Monterrey.

In a highly physical first half, Morocco has looked the more dangerous team. The fluidity in their passing and directness of their style have given The Netherlands fits during stretches. It led to multiple dangerous shots on goal. Talisman Acrhaf Hakimi put a corner toward the near post, which was met by Neil El Aynaoui for a glancing header that was well saved. Hakimi was involved a minute later by blasting a shot on target from a clever passing sequence between Brahim Diaz and Bilal El Khannouss.

There haven't been many other notable moments. The Netherlands' first shot on target came in the 42nd minute, as Micky van de Ven sent a first-time effort nearly into the top corner. They have looked out of sorts when attempting to build up possession for the most part.

Morocco nearly scored again with a free kick that narrowly missed rising star Ismael Saibari. They have shown more invention going forward while maintaining their classic organization at the back. It will be fascinating to see how the Netherlands adjusts after several players underperformed in the first half.

Great tip to keep things scoreless.

Quick break to check in on Ascunción

Talk about amazing reactions

Things heating up in Monterrey.

Veryyyyy tasty match coming your way

Are the Germans now pretenders?

Verrrrrry tasty game coming up in Monterrey.

Paraguay didn't play a pretty game, but they got the job done at the last possible moment – in penalties – against Germany in the Round of 32, securing the most surprising result of the World Cup knockouts so far.

After taking the lead thanks to a Julio Enciso header in the first half, Paraguay conceded via an impressive flicked header from Kai Havertz just inside the first 10 minutes of the second period. From there, though, there was very little joy in the attack for the Germans. Even Jamal Musiala's entrance near the hour mark couldn't spark things to life in the final third.

Without much success in one-v-one dribble attempts and with a lack of sharpness in their final third combination play, Germany simply lacked the nuance to play their way through a dedicated Paraguay defense. Gustavo Alfaro's team showed off the finer parts of the hard-working style that saw them make their way out of CONMEBOL qualifying in South America and arrive on the world's stage.

After grinding through 120 minutes of play, Paraguay prevailed in the shootout largely thanks to goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Gill stopped Kai Havertz's opening penalty before giving his team an even larger cushion by saving Nick Woltemade's effort later in the shootout. It wasn't perfect in the spot kicks from Paraguay, with Antonio Sanabria failing to convert, but a clinching penalty from Jose Canale won it for them.

While Germany is headed home, Paraguay will now play the winner of France and Sweden on July 4th in Philadelphia in the Round of 16.

What a win for Paraguay!

This one going to sting for a bit...

Kick that eliminated Germany from the World Cup

Unbelievable.

Paraguay takes Germany to the limit

Powerful header from Bayern defender chalked off after interference with the goalkeeper.

Germany can't pull away and must find a goal in additional 30 minutes.

Germany cannot get through Paraguay keeper.

Arsenal well in the mix in Round of 32 so far.

Havertz with the slightest of touches to level score.

Not exactly world-beating form here...

Paraguay, take a bow. It's only been 45 minutes, but things are going according to the script for Gustavo Alfaro's team.

Julio Enciso's goal in the 42nd minute capped off a lovely piece of play on the second phase of a corner kick, one where Paraguay efficiently moved the ball into the box and took advantage of some brutal defending on the wing and poor marking from Germany inside Manuel Neuer's box. The goal was the highlight, of course, but Paraguay's defensive work has been every bit as effective so far.

They've sat incredibly deep in a fluid 4-4-2 block, absorbing wave after wave of attacks from the opposition. With their central midfielders Andres Cubas and Damian Bobadilla keeping close watch on Germany's strikers and other narrow attackers, it's been difficult for Julian Nagelsmann's team to find clear-cut looks on goal. The result? A 1-0 lead for Paraguay at the break.

Stunning. Germany stunned. We are all stunned.

They certainly seem up for it...

Next up in the Round of 32: Germany and Paraguay

How two teams line up for knockout game

Brazil coach hardly reacted to dramatic winner

It wasn't pretty, but Brazil gritted out a 2-1 win over Japan thanks to a pair of goals in the second half.

The first game from Casemiro after the defensive midfielder drifted into the attack to meet a cross from Gabriel – that strike served as the leveler in the 56th minute, as Brazil found joy on a series of lofted balls into Zion Suzuki's box. By capitalizing on their physical edge in Japan's penalty area, putting another pure attacker on the field for the second half when Endrick replaced Lucas Paqueta, and getting improved individual showings from their biggest stars, the second half was a brighter display from Brazil.

Vinicius Jr., in particular, enjoyed a much better second period. After being marked out of the game by the ride side of Japan's compact defensive setup in the first half, the Real Madrid winger grew more assertive in his take-on attempts in the second. He even drew a fantastic save from Suzuki after a slaloming run into the box midway through the half.

It was a late strike from Gabriel Martinelli, though, that capped off the victory from Brazil. After a lovely ball from Bruno Guimaraes found the Arsenal forward perfectly positioned inside the box, Martinelli scored the winner in the 96th minute.

While Japan's World Cup ended far sooner than they would have hoped, Brazil will go on to play the winner of the Ivory Coast vs. Norway at MetLife Stadium on July 5th.

Unreal ending to 2-1 game knocks Japan out of World Cup

This is too much

Would've been one of the best World Cup goals ever

Casemiro silences the haters with huge header

As if beating them 7-1 wasn't enough for German legend

Talk about a dream start for Japan, who drew one of the most difficult opponents in the entire Round of 32. Thanks to a long-range strike from Kaishu Sano, Japan find themselves up 1-0 over Brazil at the break.

It hasn't been a glamorous first 45 minutes in Houston – and that's exactly what Japan want. With a mixture of aggressive high pressing that's forced Brazil to hit long balls out of the back and compact deep defending in a 5-4-1 block, Hajime Moriyasu's team has disrupted Brazil's rhythm. 

Add in the disappointing individual performances from Brazil and it's been a rough beginning to the knockouts for one of the tournament favorites. Vinicius Jr. has been quiet, as have his frontline running mates. Danilo's turnover that led to Sano's strike has been, perhaps, the most notable action by any Brazilian thus far. That has to change in the second half.

Japan stun the world with solo golazo for 1-0

Focus is real right now

And Ronnie mingles with Jimmy as huge knockout game starts

Brazilian lineup is here

You gotta get so locked in

That's a hell of a record...

Hollywood star breaks down the love

Fans trying to call the big one

Big yikes