Shocking World Cup Upsets Define First Full Day Of Knockout Stage

International soccer powerhouses Germany and the Netherlands had their trophy-hoisting aspirations cut short during the round of 32 on Monday.

During the first full day of knockout stage games in the 2026 World Cup, two of the favorites to win this year’s tournament were upset, with both falling in penalty kicks after they were tied through regulation and extra time.

Germany was heavily favored in its first round matchup against Paraguay, with everyone writing off Paraguay due to its lack of offensive prowess.

Paraguay stunned fans early, as Julio Enciso scored the first goal of the game with three minutes remaining in the first half. The Germans responded early in the second half thanks to Kai Havertz in the 54th minute. These were the only two goals of the regulation time, as they became the first teams in the 2026 tournament to play in extra time.

After a back-and-forth first half of extra time, Germany thought they broke through and scored a potential game-winning goal from a Jonathan Tah header. After a review, however, the referees made a highly controversial call, stating that a German player pushed the goalie to the ground, disallowing the goal.

Many fans were outraged by the call.

A closer look at the foul that negated Germany’s goal in extra time pic.twitter.com/JsUdxf36EQ

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 29, 2026

After staying 1-1 through extra time, the game headed to penalties. The hero for Germany in the second half quickly turned into the villain, as Havertz’s first penalty attempt was blocked by Paraguay’s Orlando Gill. Havertz’s penalty was one of three missed by Germany, leading to Paraguay’s upset win in penalties 4-3. 

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PARAGUAY WINS IT IN PENALTIES!! pic.twitter.com/jMTfGk30Z3

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 29, 2026

Prior to the match against Paraguay, Germany had only missed one penalty in the history of the World Cup, which was in the 1982 semifinals. Havertz, Tah, and Nick Woltemade extended the list to four misses.

Paraguay will play either France or Sweden in the round of 16.

The Netherlands was the second giant to fall when they took on Morocco in the last game of the day on Monday. Both national teams had impressive group stage results, which led to them standing strong and holding each other to a 0-0 draw at the end of the first 45 minutes. 

The final 20 minutes of regulation saw all the action. Forward Cody Gakpo scored an emotional lead-taking goal in the 72nd minute and collapsed in tears after scoring. Just two days before the match, it was announced that Gakpo had lost his unborn son, but still suited up for the Dutch on Monday night.

The entire Netherlands team comes on the field to support an emotional Cody Gakpo ???????? pic.twitter.com/ed3jstrHPy

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 30, 2026

The trend of late stunning goals in the tournament continued, as Issa Diop of Morocco tied the game in the first minute of injury time in the second half, setting up back-to-back games heading to extra time.

Despite great saves from both sides in extra time, the Netherlands and Morocco didn’t have any disallowed goal drama before another round of penalties. In the penalty shootout, both countries saw numerous shots rattle off the crossbar. The most bizarre attempt was by Soufiane Rahimi, where, after it was initially saved by the Netherlands, it still rolled in.

An insane way for this PK to sneak in for Morocco ???? pic.twitter.com/sUBe1cj69K

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 30, 2026

That goal was the defining moment for Morocco, as it won 3-2 on penalties. Morocco will play Canada in the next round.

While Brazil advanced against Japan in the first game of the day, the South American powerhouse almost joined the Dutch and Germans in heading home early. 

Japan was the only country to get on the board in the first half, as Kaishū Sano scored in the 29th minute, surprising the mostly South American crowd in Houston. Brazil was able to equalize thanks to defensive midfielder Casemiro heading in a goal during the 56th minute, his second career World Cup goal for his country. 

After it looked like the two countries were heading towards extra time, Brazil’s Gabriel Martinelli became a hero for his country in the fifth added minute of regulation.

BRAZIL TAKES THE LEAD LATE IN STOPPAGE TIME ????????

Absolutely clutch from Gabriel Martinelli! pic.twitter.com/gdN7ns8tLA

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 29, 2026

Brazil will take on the winner of the Ivory Coast and Norway, the first matchup in Tuesday’s slate. Following that, France will look to advance toward a potential World Cup final for the third straight tournament as it takes on Sweden. Lastly, Mexico will be the second tournament host to play in the round of 32 as it faces Ecuador.