“After Sunday’s one-match palate-cleanser, the World Cup clicked into a new gear on Monday, with three absorbing knockout games. Brazil vs Japan always looked likely to be one of the fixtures of the last 32 and didn’t disappoint. Japan, so watchable in the group stage, flew out of the traps and took the lead through Kaishu Sano. Five-time World Cup winners Brazil slowly ground their way back, however, and eventually snatched victory with a stoppage-time Gabriel Martinelli strike. If that was a warning shot to the traditional World Cup nations, Germany missed the message. They huffed and puffed against Paraguay, falling behind in the first half and completely failing to build upon Kai Havertz’s 54th-minute equaliser. …”
NYT/ATH (Video)
YouTube: Germany vs Paraguay Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Round of 32