World Cup 2026 Knockout Openers: Casemiro, Gill, Diop Decide Brazil, Paraguay, Morocco
World Cup knockout openers delivered instant drama on June 29, 2026, with three matches shaping the early Round of 16 picture.
In the first of the World Cup knockout openers, Brazil beat Japan 2-1. Casemiro scored in the 56th minute to secure the decisive goal and earn Man of the Match, with the game turning on Brazil’s leadership as the match progressed.
The second World Cup knockout opener featured a penalty shootout upset: Paraguay drew Germany 1-1 after 120 minutes and then won 4-3 on penalties. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill became the standout, saving two German penalties. The article notes Gill plays club football for San Lorenzo and only debuted for Paraguay in 2025.
The third World Cup knockout opener saw Morocco edge the Netherlands. The match finished 1-1 after extra time, sending it to a shootout. Issa Diop scored the winning penalty to send Morocco through after a 3-2 shootout win.
Key tournament impact: these World Cup knockout openers produced two penalty shootouts and two major upsets. The Round of 16 now includes Brazil, Paraguay, and Morocco, with the tournament also highlighting the new expanded 48-team format (co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico).
Neutral
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