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Paraguay and Morocco Topple Germany and Netherlands as Brazil Survives With Last‑Gasp Winner

Early Round of 32 shocks have rewritten the last‑16 bracket and intensified criticism of VAR calls, heavy rotation and the expanded 48‑team format.

Overview

  • Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with goalkeeper Orlando Gill saving multiple spot kicks to become the decisive hero.
  • Morocco forced extra time with Issa Diop’s stoppage‑time equaliser and then won a 3-2 shootout over the Netherlands, with keeper Yassine Bounou making a key save.
  • Brazil advanced when Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage‑time winner after Casemiro had levelled the match, sending the Seleção into the last 16.
  • A VAR review disallowed a German extra‑time goal in the Paraguay game and officials’ interventions have become a focal point for debate about fairness and consistency.
  • The surprise results highlight pressure from the expanded schedule on coaching choices and rotation and they set up Paraguay to face the FranceSweden winner while Morocco will meet Canada.