Germany and the Netherlands both exit on penalties as Brazil survive Japan

Monday’s Round of 32 turned into a long afternoon for Europe. Germany and the Netherlands both went the distance, both were dragged to penalties, and both lost, the four-time champions to Paraguay and the Dutch to Morocco. Brazil at least found a way past a stubborn Japan, though they made everyone wait until the 96th minute for it.

Germany go out, and largely by their own hand

Paraguay led at the break through Julio Enciso’s header on 42 minutes, and Germany only drew level after the restart when Kai Havertz turned in a Florian Wirtz cross on 54. Then came the gut-punch: Jonathan Tah bundled the ball home in the 119th minute and thought he had won it, only for VAR to rule that Waldemar Anton had barged keeper Orlando Gill out of the way first. No goal, straight to spot-kicks.

You can guess how that went. Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah all missed for Germany, José Canale settled it in sudden death, and Germany were dumped out. The first heavyweight gone, and they handed it over from twelve yards.

The Netherlands lose another shootout, this time to Morocco

Cody Gakpo looked to have settled it, sliding the Dutch ahead on 72 minutes. Then Issa Diop climbed highest in the first minute of stoppage time to head Morocco level and force extra time, and you could sense where this was going. Yassine Bounou kept out Crysencio Summerville from the spot, Justin Kluivert and Quinten Timber both missed, and Ismael Saibari stepped up to settle a 3-2 shootout. The Netherlands and penalty shootouts remain firmly not on speaking terms. Morocco move on to meet co-hosts Canada in Houston on July 4.

Brazil leave it very, very late

Brazil made hard work of their own afternoon in Houston. Kaishu Sano put Japan ahead on 29 minutes and the lead held until just past the hour, when Casemiro finally levelled on 56. With extra time looming, Gabriel Martinelli curled in the winner in the 96th minute, teed up by Bruno Guimarães, to spare everyone another half-hour. A win is a win, though Japan will wonder how they let it slip.

Round of 32: Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties (1-1 after extra time); Morocco beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties (1-1 after extra time); Brazil 2-1 Japan.

Two European giants gone in a single afternoon, with Brazil, Paraguay and Morocco marching on. See how the bracket is shaping up on the live table.

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