Paraguay and Morocco Win Shootout Thrillers as Norway Reaches FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 delivered another unforgettable day of knockout football, with dramatic penalty shootouts, major upsets, and hard-fought victories determining the next teams to advance to the Round of 16.

One of the biggest surprises of the tournament came as Paraguay eliminated Germany after a thrilling contest. The match ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time before Paraguay held their nerve to claim a dramatic 4-3 victory in the penalty shootout. The result marked a stunning upset and brought Germany's World Cup campaign to a disappointing end.

Morocco also produced a memorable performance to book their place in the Round of 16. After battling the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw, the North African side displayed remarkable composure in the penalty shootout, emerging 3-2 winners to complete another famous knockout victory and continue their impressive World Cup run.

Norway secured their place in the next round with a determined 2-1 victory over Côte d'Ivoire. The closely contested encounter featured end-to-end action, but Norway's disciplined defending and clinical finishing proved decisive as they held off a spirited challenge to progress.

The latest Round of 32 fixtures highlighted the unpredictable nature of knockout football, where every goal, save, and penalty can define a nation's World Cup journey. Penalty shootout heartbreak for Germany and the Netherlands contrasted with scenes of celebration for Paraguay and Morocco, while Norway continued their impressive campaign with another resilient performance.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 moves into the Round of 16, the competition promises even greater excitement, with every remaining team just a few victories away from football's greatest prize.