- Soccer
What teams are moving on to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup?
This year’s FIFA World Cup is the biggest in history, with 48 teams gathering in Mexico, Canada, and the United States to chase glory.
That expanded field meant a change to the knockout rounds, with the elimination format beginning with a Round of 32 instead of the Round of 16 we have seen in recent years.
That Round of 32 began on Sunday, with South Africa clashing with host nation Canada in the first of 16 matches, to cut the field down to just 16 teams. Over the next few days, these teams will battle for a chance to move on to the Round of 16, and we’ll be tracking the teams that do advance here.
Starting with the first team to punch a ticket to the next round.
Canada
Canada became the first team to book a spot in the Round of 16 late in Sunday’s match against South Africa. A rocket off the right foot of Stephen Estáquito, following a brilliant first touch, broke what was a 0-0 scoreless draw deep in stoppage time.
South Africa tried valiantly to find an equalizer, but with the goal coming in the 92nd minute, time simply ran out.
Canada will play the winner of Monday’s match between Morocco and the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
Brazil
Brazil became the second team to book a spot in the Round of 16, but their match against Japan did not go as expected.
Japan scored first, on a brilliant bit of individual skill from Kaishu Sano. The midfielder stepped in front of a pass, burst forward with a strong run deep into Brazil’s half, and opened the scoring with a right-footed strike.
The first half ended with Japan up 1-0, but Brazil pulled level with a goal from Casemiro in the 56th minute. Extra time seemed on the menu, until Gabriel Martinelli found the winning goal deep into stoppage time:
Brazil awaits the winner of Norway/Ivory Coast.
Paraguay
A moment that will live on in Paraguay forever:
Paraguay knocked off Germany 4-3 on penalty kicks, to move on to the Round of 16. Paraguay took a 1-0 lead to the halftime break, but Germany found the equalizer to force extra time.
The 30 additional minutes were not enough, so the match advanced to penalties. Five rounds were not enough, but in the sixth round Jose Canale converted for Paraguay to clinch the match, and book a spot in the Round of 16 against the winner of France/Sweden.
Morocco
Morocco capped off a tremendous day at the FIFA World Cup, defeating the Netherlands on penalties to advance to the Round of 16, where they will meet Canada.
Cody Gakpo’s emotional goal in the 72nd minute gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead, but Issa Diop’s header in stoppage time forced extra time. When 30 minutes were not enough the match advanced to penalties, where Ismael Saibari’s effort proved the difference:
Morocco will face Canada on July 4.
Norway
Erling Haaland’s goal against Ivory Coast on Tuesday felt inevitable.
It also pushed Norway into the Round of 16.
Ivory Coast were on the front foot for much of the match, even in the moments leading to Antonio Nusa’s goal in the 39th minute to stake Norway to a 1-0 lead. So when they pulled level in the 74th minute thanks to Amad Diallo, it felt like a deserved turn to the match.
But Haaland was lurking.
There was a flash from the massive striker midway through the second half, where he punted the ball to safety from his own six-yard box, chased it down near midfield, and was nearly through to the keeper on the other end of a long pass from Martin Ødegaard. But then, he delivered:
Ivory Coast threw everything they could forward in the closing minutes, to try and find an equalizer. A lovely strike from Diallo, which forced Ørjan Nyland to go full stretch for the save. But in the end Haaland’s goal stood as the difference, and Norway is moving on.
It was the first time Norway has won a knockout round match at the FIFA World Cup.
They will face Brazil in the Round of 16.
France
A clinical performance against Sweden from Kylian Mbappé and company saw France move onto the Round of 16.
France spent the first 20 minutes of the match knocking on the door, enjoying several scoring chances but failing to finish. That included a stunning bicycle kick attempt from Michael Olise, that found the woodwork yet was inches away from being perhaps the goal of the tournament.
But then, the floodgates opened. Mbappé scored first before halftime, followed by Bradley Barcola in the 53rd minute. Then Mbappé finished off his brace, adding another goal in the 74th minute to close off any attempt at a Swedish comeback.
France will take on Paraguay in the Round of 16.
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Source: SB Nation
