BOSTON (Realist English). The 19th matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered two major shocks that will long be remembered by football fans around the world.
After a relatively calm start to the knockout stage, the tournament suddenly burst into life: all three matches of the day were tense affairs, two of them went to penalty shootouts, and in both, the underdogs emerged victorious.
Shock in Foxborough: Germany Lose to Paraguay on Penalties for First Time in History
The biggest surprise of the first half of the day was the elimination of Germany. At Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the four-time world champions fell to Paraguay. The match finished 1-1 after regular and extra time, and the South Americans prevailed 4-3 in the penalty shootout.
This defeat was historic: for the first time in 92 years, Germany lost a penalty shootout at the World Cup. Previously, the German side had won all four of their shootouts — in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 2006.
Paraguayan forward Julio Enciso opened the scoring in the 42nd minute — this was Paraguay’s first ever goal in World Cup knockout football. Kai Havertz equalised in the 54th minute. In extra time, Germany had a chance to snatch victory: Jonathan Tah headed in a goal in the 102nd minute, but after a VAR review it was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Paraguay’s hero was goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who saved two penalties — from Havertz and Niclas Füllkrug. The Paraguayans twice had the chance to end the shootout early but missed, until José Canale scored the winning penalty after Jonathan Tah fired his effort over the bar.
“Obviously, we analysed every player and every detail of their penalty takers,” said goalkeeper Gill. “Thank God I managed to save two penalties. It’s a privilege — we knocked out the champions.”
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, sitting in stunned silence on the bench after the defeat, could only say: “Today we didn’t do enough.” Germany, competing in their 21st World Cup and having topped Group E after scoring 10 goals in the group stage, crashed out at the Round of 32 stage.
Monterrey: Morocco Knock Out Netherlands
Later that evening, the Netherlands suffered the same fate. At Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, the runners-up from the previous World Cup faced Morocco — a team that had reached the semi-finals four years ago.
Regular and extra time also ended 1-1. In the penalty shootout, the Moroccans were more accurate — 3-2 — leaving another European giant without a place in the last 16. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved the decisive fifth Dutch spot-kick. One save decided the outcome and sent Morocco through to the Round of 16.
Houston: Brazil Saved in 95th Minute
Unlike the two upsets, Brazil managed to avoid a shock defeat, although they came close to one. At the stadium in Houston, the five-time world champions beat Japan 2-1 thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s 95th-minute winner.
Japan opened the scoring in the 29th minute through Kaishu Sano. Brazil equalised in the 56th minute when Casemiro headed home a superb cross from Gabriel Magalhães. The match appeared to be heading for extra time, but in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Ao Tanaka lost the ball near his own box; Martinelli picked it up and calmly slotted it into the net.
“I can’t find the words to describe the joy in my heart. Seeing all those fans on their feet, my parents, my friends… I can’t explain it,” said Martinelli. Brazil advanced to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of the Ivory Coast — Norway match.
Following the 19th matchday, three more Round of 16 participants were confirmed — Paraguay, Brazil and Morocco. Paraguay will now face the winner of the France — Sweden tie, while Morocco will take on Canada, who a day earlier won a World Cup knockout match for the first time in their history.