This year’s FIFA World Cup is the biggest in history, with 48 teams gathering in Mexico, Canada, and the United States to chase glory.
That expanded field meant a change to the knockout rounds, with the elimination format beginning with a Round of 32 instead of the Round of 16 we have seen in recent years.
That Round of 32 began on Sunday, with South Africa clashing with host nation Canada in the first of 16 matches, to cut the field down to just 16 teams. Over the next few days, these teams will battle for a chance to move on to the Round of 16, and we’ll be tracking the teams that do advance here.
Starting with the first team to punch a ticket to the next round.
Canada
Canada became the first team to book a spot in the Round of 16 late in Sunday’s match against South Africa. A rocket off the right foot of Stephen Estáquito, following a brilliant first touch, broke what was a 0-0 scoreless draw deep in stoppage time.
South Africa tried valiantly to find an equalizer, but with the goal coming in the 92nd minute, time simply ran out.
Canada will play the winner of Monday’s match between Morocco and the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
Brazil
Brazil became the second team to book a spot in the Round of 16, but their match against Japan did not go as expected.
Japan scored first, on a brilliant bit of individual skill from Kaishu Sano. The midfielder stepped in front of a pass, burst forward with a strong run deep into Brazil’s half, and opened the scoring with a right-footed strike.
The first half ended with Japan up 1-0, but Brazil pulled level with a goal from Casemiro in the 56th minute. Extra time seemed on the menu, until Gabriel Martinelli found the winning goal deep into stoppage time:
Brazil awaits the winner of Norway/Ivory Coast.
Paraguay
A moment that will live on in Paraguay forever:
Paraguay knocked off Germany 4-3 on penalty kicks, to move on to the Round of 16. Paraguay took a 1-0 lead to the halftime break, but Germany found the equalizer to force extra time.
The 30 additional minutes were not enough, so the match advanced to penalties. Five rounds were not enough, but in the sixth round Jose Canale converted for Paraguay to clinch the match, and book a spot in the Round of 16 against the winner of France/Sweden.
Morocco
Morocco capped off a tremendous day at the FIFA World Cup, defeating the Netherlands on penalties to advance to the Round of 16, where they will meet Canada.
Cody Gakpo’s emotional goal in the 72nd minute gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead, but Issa Diop’s header in stoppage time forced extra time. When 30 minutes were not enough the match advanced to penalties, where Ismael Saibari’s effort proved the difference:
Morocco will face Canada on July 4.
Norway
Erling Haaland’s goal against Ivory Coast on Tuesday felt inevitable.
It also pushed Norway into the Round of 16.
Ivory Coast were on the front foot for much of the match, even in the moments leading to Antonio Nusa’s goal in the 39th minute to stake Norway to a 1-0 lead. So when they pulled level in the 74th minute thanks to Amad Diallo, it felt like a deserved turn to the match.
But Haaland was lurking.
There was a flash from the massive striker midway through the second half, where he punted the ball to safety from his own six-yard box, chased it down near midfield, and was nearly through to the keeper on the other end of a long pass from Martin Ødegaard. But then, he delivered:
Ivory Coast threw everything they could forward in the closing minutes, to try and find an equalizer. A lovely strike from Diallo, which forced Ørjan Nyland to go full stretch for the save. But in the end Haaland’s goal stood as the difference, and Norway is moving on.
It was the first time Norway has won a knockout round match at the FIFA World Cup.
They will face Brazil in the Round of 16.
France
A clinical performance against Sweden from Kylian Mbappé and company saw France move onto the Round of 16.
France spent the first 20 minutes of the match knocking on the door, enjoying several scoring chances but failing to finish. That included a stunning bicycle kick attempt from Michael Olise, that found the woodwork yet was inches away from being perhaps the goal of the tournament.
But then, the floodgates opened. Mbappé scored first before halftime, followed by Bradley Barcola in the 53rd minute. Then Mbappé finished off his brace, adding another goal in the 74th minute to close off any attempt at a Swedish comeback.
France will take on Paraguay in the Round of 16.
Mexico
Following a weather delay Tuesday night, Mexico booked a spot in the Round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Ecuador.
Julián Quiñones opened the scoring with a goal in the 22nd minute, and Raúl Jiménez joined the party with this strike minutes later:
Mexico will face the winner of Wednesday’s match between England and DR Congo in the Round of 16.
England
Speaking of England … it could still be coming home.
For the first 74 minutes of Wednesday’s match between England and DR Congo, you could feel the tension rise in London, Manchester, Newcastle, and environs in between. Brian Cipenga’s goal in the seventh minute gave DR Congo an early lead, and keeper Lionel Mpasi stood tall, denying chance after chance from the English attack.
But then in the 75th minute, a lovely cross from Anthony Gordon found England’s captain, and Harry Kane’s header equalized the match, and sparked new life on the English sideline:
He was not done.
Because just before the end of ordinary time, Kane put England ahead:
Working against multiple defenders in the box, Kane found enough gas in the tank to earn the space he needed, before firing a rocket by Mpasi to stake England to the lead.
It was enough.
Things get much tougher for England now, as they face a trip to Mexico City to take on Mexico in the Round of 16.
But for a few more days, the English can dream.
Belgium
Much like their run to the Round of 32, Belgium’s 3-2 win over Senegal could be summed up this way.
Inconsistent.
For the first 75 minutes or so of Wednesday’s match, Senegal was on the front foot, holding a 2-0 lead and inching closer to the Round of 32 themselves.
However, it was a much different story after those first 75 minutes.
Because magic then struck for Belgium, thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans in the 86th and 89th minutes, respectively, to force extra time.
Then deep in extra time, Tielemans was chopped down in the box, and after a VAR review, a penalty was awarded. Tielemans was perfect from the spot, sending Mory Diaw the wrong way and finishing for his second goal of the match, and the eventual game winner.
Up next for Belgium? A date with the winner of Wednesday night’s match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
United States
Speaking of which …
The United States is headed to the Round of 16.
Folarin Balogun’s goal in the 45th minute proved to be enough, as the United States knocked off Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 Wednesday night. But unfortunately for the United States, they will be without Balogun against Belgium, as he was shown a red card in the second half for an awkward challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic. After video review, Balogun was shown a red, and the US was down to ten men.
Still, Bosnia and Herzegovina struggled to find an equalizer, and then Malik Tillman’s lovely strike gave the USMNT a bit of a cushion:
The United States will take on Belgium Monday in Seattle.
Spain
Spain’s 3-0 win over Austria moved La Roja into the Round of 16. Mikel Oyarzabal scored a brace, opening the scoring with a goal in the 36th minute and adding another late, while Pedro Porro’s goal in the 66th minute gave Spain a 2-0 lead.
Spain will take on Portugal in the Round of 16.
Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo and company survived a late scare against Croatia, moving on to the Round of 16 with a 2-1 win.
Ivan Perisic opened the scoring with a goal in the 53rd minute to give Croatia a 1-0 lead, but Ronaldo pulled Portugal level when he slotted home this penalty shot moments later:
As noted, it was the living legend’s first knockout stage goal at the World Cup.
Ronaldo was subbed off shortly thereafter, but Gonçalo Ramos’ header in stoppage time proved the difference. There was one final twist to the tale, as Josko Gvardiol looked to equalize for Croatia near the final whistle, but the goal was disallowed.
You make the call:
Ronaldo and company will face Spain in the Round of 16.
Switzerland
Switzerland booked a spot in the Round of 16 late Thursday night with a 2-0 win over Algeria. Breel Embolo opened the scoring with a goal in the 10th minute — his second of the tournament, to go with his pair of assists — and Dan Ndoye provided some insurance early in the second half with this right-footed blast:
Switzerland will face the winner of Friday night’s clash between Colombia and Ghana.
Egypt
Egypt has won a knockout game at the World Cup for the first time.
Emam Ashour’s goal in the 13th minute gave Egypt an early 1-0 lead over Australia, but an own goal from Mohamed Hany leveled the match at 1-1. And when extra time was not enough to decide a winner, the match advance to penalties.
That is where Egypt won 4-2, with Hossam Abdelmaguid delivering the final strike:
Egypt will face the winner of Friday’s match between Argentina and Cabo Verde.
Argentina
In what may go down as the match of the tournament, Argentina survived against World Cup darlings Cabo Verde, booking a spot in the Round of 16 against Egypt with a 3-2 win.
Lionel Messi scored in the 29th minute to give Argentina a first-half lead, and it looked as if it would be smooth sailing for the defending World Cup champions. But Cabo Verde hung with Argentina, equalizing in the 59th minute on a goal from Deroy Duarte.
The match was tied at the end of ordinary time, and Argentina took the lead again on a goal from Lisandro Martínez in the 92nd minute. Yet again, however, Cabo Verde equalized, on this stunner from Sidny Lopes Cabral:
Ultimately, it would be Argentina’s night:
Messi and company will see Egypt in the Round of 16.