Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his side had earned respect after knocking the Netherlands out of the World Cup in a penalty shootout on Monday, adding that his players were fuelled by the desire to make the millions watching back home proud.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said they went with a more defensive approach against Morocco to give them a better chance of winning rather than out of any fear of their opponents, after his side were eliminated from the World Cup on Monday.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann admitted his side can no longer be considered among football's elite after their stunning Round of 32 exit to Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"We never believe that we are beaten," Alfaro told reporters after the dramatic shootout. "Twenty-six warriors went out there and they came back as legends."

"I experienced it with great intensity, like everyone," said Alfaro.

Substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced in the 95th minute in Houston for the five-time champions and sent dark horses Japan home.

Germany had never lost a penalty shoot-out at a World Cup on four previous occasions since the 1982 finals in Spain.

Paraguay scripted one of the World Cup's greatest upsets as Orlando Gill inspired a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Germany following a 1-1 draw in Foxborough.

Germany’s Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all failed in the shootout.

The 33-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, had made an emotional return to the national team in their final group match against Scotland last week, coming on in the 76th minute for a 14-minute cameo after a lengthy absence.

Brazil survived a World Cup last-32 scare when they fought back to beat Japan 2-1 after Gabriel Martinelli squeezed in a shot at the far post deep in stoppage time on Monday.

A trip down the memory lane to 15 June 2002 in Jeju, South Korea. Paraguay hustled through a tough group featuring teams like Spain, South Africa, and Slovenia clinching on goal difference. 

Brazil appear to have rediscovered their rhythm just before the knockouts as the five-time champions will look to overcome their first knockout hurdle at the FIFA World Cup 2026 when they take on a spirited Japan in a Round of 32 clash in Houston on Monday night.

Saudi Arabia finished bottom of Group H with two points, after two draws against Uruguay (1–1) and Cape Verde (0–0), and a heavy 4–0 defeat to Spain.

The online critique that a better keeper stops the shot fundamentally barks up the wrong tree.

Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil have grown into this World Cup with every passing game, but as the tournament enters its knockout phase, there is little room for error. The Selecao face arguably their toughest challenge yet when they take on an impressive Japan side in tonight's Round of 32 clash in Houston.

Hong was appointed in July 2024 as the long-term replacement for Juergen Klinsmann and steered the country to an 11th successive World Cup appearance.

Japan are nevertheless the clear underdogs going into this match. They finished second to Netherlands in Group F with a win over overmatched Tunisia and two draws. They don't have the history that Brazil can boast, but Japan have qualified for the knockouts at three straight World Cups and four of the past five, though never advancing past the round of 16.

The South Americans bounced back from losing 4-1 to co-hosts the United States in their opening game to progress beyond the group stages at a World Cup for the first time since 2002 as one of the best third-placed sides.

Neymar has been working his way back to fitness from a calf injury and managed a little over 15 minutes in the 3-0 victory over Scotland last time out.