World Cup 2026: Paraguay and Morocco Advance as Germany and Netherlands Exit

The 2026 FIFA World Cup reached a dramatic turning point as Paraguay and Morocco secured spots in the quarterfinals, eliminating tournament giants Germany and the Netherlands. Paraguay defeated Germany in a penalty shootout, while Morocco moved past the Netherlands following a 3-2 victory in penalties after an intense 120-minute contest in Monterrey.

How did Paraguay eliminate Germany?

Paraguay secured its place in the quarterfinals after a historic penalty shootout victory against Germany. Following a scoreless 120 minutes, the South American side overcame the four-time world champions to advance. According to German manager Julian Nagelsmann, the performance was insufficient for a team of their caliber, stating, “If you get eliminated against Paraguay, we are not a top-tier team. Not anymore.”

German forward Kai Havertz echoed this sentiment regarding the early exit, noting that if a team falls this early repeatedly, they do not deserve to progress. For Paraguay, the victory marked a significant achievement in their tournament run, with player Ramon Gill describing the intensity of the match as a “horror movie” due to the constant pressure applied by the German squad. Joshua Kimmich, speaking on behalf of the German team, acknowledged that failing to secure a win within the allotted 120 minutes made their elimination a fair outcome.

What led to the Netherlands’ exit against Morocco?

Morocco eliminated the Netherlands in a 3-2 penalty shootout after the match ended in a draw. The contest in Monterrey was marked by late drama, as Moroccan player Issa Diop scored an equalizer in the closing stages to force the match into extra time and eventually penalties. The Netherlands had initially taken the lead through a goal by Cody Gakpo.

The penalty shootout saw misses from Dutch players Justin Kluivert, Jurrien Timber, and Crysencio Summerville. Ismael Saibari converted the decisive penalty to seal Morocco’s advancement to the round of 16. Reflecting on the result, Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk stated that the team was caught off guard during stoppage time. Morocco is now set to face Canada in the next stage of the competition.

Tournament Outlook and Key Matchups

The elimination of Germany and the Netherlands represents a major shift in the 2026 World Cup bracket. While major powers have faltered, other teams continue to solidify their tournament standing. The following table summarizes the recent outcomes for the teams involved in these fixtures:

As the tournament progresses toward the quarterfinals, the focus shifts to how the remaining teams, including Brazil and Canada, will adapt to the high-pressure environment of the knockout stages. Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi expressed gratitude to the Mexican fans for the support provided to his team throughout the match in Monterrey.