The night of June 29–30 brought three Round of 32 matches, and not one of them ended without drama. Brazil snatched victory over Japan in the 90+5th minute, Paraguay knocked out four-time champions Germany on penalties, and Morocco stopped the Netherlands once again — also on penalties. For those following the 2026 World Cup match schedule by Kyiv time, all three games concluded between 04:00 and 08:00 Kyiv time.
Night Results
Brazil — Japan 2:1 (Houston, 20:00 ET / 03:00 Kyiv time)
Japan opened the scoring as early as the 29th minute: Kaoru Mitoma intercepted a poor pass in midfield and fired from outside the penalty area past Alisson. In the second half, Brazil levelled: Casemiro headed home a cross from Gabriel Magalhães on the left flank in the 56th minute. Vinícius Júnior had a chance to put the Seleção ahead, but Zion Suzuki pushed his shot onto the post. Extra time seemed inevitable — until the 90+5th minute, when Bruno Guimarães played a splitting pass to Gabriel Martinelli, who drilled the ball into the bottom corner. The hero of the match was Martinelli, a substitute who came on in the second half. Brazil advance to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of the Ivory Coast — Norway tie.
Germany — Paraguay 1:1 (pen. 3:4) (Boston, 11:30 ET / 18:30 Kyiv time — June 29)
Paraguay shocked the favourites as early as the 42nd minute: Julio Enciso headed in from a corner to open the scoring. Kai Havertz restored parity in the 54th minute — also with a header, converting a cross from Florian Wirtz. In extra time, Jonathan Tah appeared to score the winning goal, but VAR disallowed it due to a foul by Waldemar Anton on goalkeeper Orlando Gil. In the penalty shootout, Havertz, Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck missed their kicks — and Paraguay won 4:3. A sensational exit for the four-time world champions at the Round of 32 stage. Paraguay will await the winner of the France — Sweden tie.
Netherlands — Morocco 1:1 (pen. 2:3) (Monterrey, 16:00 ET / 23:00 Kyiv time — June 29/30)
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the Netherlands, but in the 91st minute Issa Diop equalised with a header — and the match went to extra time. In the penalty shootout, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Crysencio Summerville's kick, while Quinten Timber and Justin Kluivert both failed to find the net. Ismail Saibari converted the decisive penalty — and Morocco advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Canada on July 4 in Houston. The Netherlands are eliminated from the tournament.
Tournament Bracket
All three matches were knockout ties in the Round of 32, so group standings are unaffected. Following the night's results, the teams advancing to the Round of 16 are: Brazil (to face Ivory Coast or Norway on July 5 in East Rutherford), Paraguay (to face France or Sweden on July 5 in Philadelphia) and Morocco (to face Canada on July 4 in Houston). Japan, Germany and the Netherlands have been eliminated from the tournament. For more on the previous Round of 32 matches, see our article "Brazil — Japan and Two More Matches: The Round of 16 Night at the 2026 World Cup".
Off the Pitch
- Injuries in Brazil: Lucas Paquetá left the field in tears at half-time of the Japan match due to injury. Casemiro also picked up a knock and did not finish the game. Carlo Ancelotti said the condition of both players would be assessed within 24 hours.
- VAR disallowed goal: The biggest refereeing talking point of the night was Jonathan Tah's disallowed goal in the Germany — Paraguay match. VAR spotted a foul by Waldemar Anton on goalkeeper Gil at a corner kick. The decision has already sparked widespread debate: ESPN noted that Germany were "unfairly denied a goal."
- Ancelotti post-match: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti commented on the win over Japan: "This was the most complete match we have played at this World Cup," he said. The coach also admitted that the team lacked stability in the first half.
- Morocco stop the Netherlands again: Morocco's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands was yet another painful exit for the Oranje at a major tournament. Coach Ronald Koeman admitted before the match that he considered the two teams meeting at this stage "premature."
Today, June 30, three more Round of 32 matches are scheduled at the 2026 World Cup: Ivory Coast — Norway (at 20:00 Kyiv time), France — Sweden (at 00:00 Kyiv time on July 1) and Mexico — Ecuador (at 04:00 Kyiv time on July 1). A detailed preview will be published in the evening preview section at 18:45. The up-to-date 2026 World Cup match schedule by Kyiv time is available on the website.
Photo: Al Jazeera · Editorial (source)
