Latin America Sports Daily for Tuesday, June 30, 2026

01

Paraguay knock out Germany on penalties in the upset of the tournament

World Cup

Paraguay produced the shock of the 2026 World Cup, beating Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. A nation of seven million, ranked 41st in the world, just eliminated the four-time champions.

Julio Enciso headed Paraguay in front late in the first half, finishing a cross from Matías Galarza. It was Paraguay’s first goal ever scored in a World Cup knockout game.

Kai Havertz levelled in the 52nd minute with a header from Florian Wirtz’s delivery, and Germany then dominated the ball without finding a second goal. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill kept Paraguay alive with a string of saves, including a big stop on Havertz in the 78th minute.

Germany thought they had won it in the 102nd minute when Jonathan Tah headed home a corner, but a video review ruled that Waldemar Anton had pushed Gill before the ball arrived. The goal was scrubbed off and the tie stayed level into the shootout.

In the shootout, 40-year-old Manuel Neuer saved Fabián Balbuena’s attempt to keep Germany breathing. Then Tah blazed his sudden-death kick over the crossbar, and José Canale, making his first start of the tournament, tucked away the winner past Neuer.

Gill saved two German penalties across the shootout, from Havertz and Nick Woltemade. Paraguay became the first side to ever beat Germany in a World Cup penalty shootout, ending a German run of six straight shootout wins in major tournaments.

Paraguay now face the winner of Tuesday’s France vs Sweden tie in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia. This is their first run to the last 16 since 2010, when they also went through on penalties.

02

Martinelli’s late winner sends Brazil past Japan

World Cup

Brazil needed a moment of magic in the 96th minute to beat Japan 2-1 in Houston. Substitute Gabriel Martinelli curled in the winner after a clever pass from Bruno Guimarães, sparing Brazil a trip to extra time.

Japan had taken a deserved lead in the 29th minute, when Kaishu Sano pounced on a loose ball after sloppy Brazilian defending. The Samurai Blue sat deep and frustrated Brazil through a flat first half.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side improved sharply after the break, and Casemiro headed the equaliser in the 56th minute at the back post. He had earlier seen a header cleared off the line, so the goal was a reward for his persistence.

Vinicius Jr nearly settled it with a stunning effort that struck the post off a fine save from Zion Suzuki. The numbers showed Brazil’s dominance, with an expected goals tally of 1.72 to Japan’s 0.23.

Brazil are now into the Round of 16 for the 11th cycle in a row, a streak that stretches back to 1982. They will face the winner of Ivory Coast vs Norway on July 5 in New York.

03

Ecuador visit Mexico at the Azteca with 40 years of history on the line

Preview

Tonight at 9pm ET, Mexico host Ecuador in an all-Latin American Round of 32 tie at the Estadio Azteca. It is the kind of fixture this tournament was built for, with two strong defences and very little between them.

Mexico arrive as the form team, the only side outside the 2022 finalists to win all three group games. They scored six and conceded none in Group A, a perfect run that has the home crowd dreaming.

The weight of history hangs over El Tri all the same. Mexico have not won a World Cup knockout match in 40 years, since the 1986 quarter-final run staged on this same ground.

Ecuador took the harder road here, losing to Ivory Coast and drawing with Curaçao before that famous 2-1 win over Germany rescued their tournament. They carry real quality in Moisés Caicedo and Piero Hincapié, both fresh from a Champions League final.

The Ecuador story this summer is about chances missed rather than chances taken. They piled up 8.81 expected goals across the group stage yet scored only twice, including a remarkable display against Curaçao where they had 15 shots on target without scoring, the most in a World Cup match since 1966 per ESPN.

The Azteca will be the decider as much as either team. Mexico have lost only twice in official matches there since 1966 and are unbeaten in their last 24 games at the ground.

04

Morocco edge the Netherlands in a second shootout of the night

World Cup

The night ended with a second penalty shootout, and Morocco came through it. They beat the Netherlands 3-2 on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw in Monterrey.

It was a tense, physical match that the Dutch could not break open despite good early chances. Morocco’s Ismael Saibari, who had missed several openings during the game, kept his nerve to convert the decisive kick.

Saibari was already one of the stories of this tournament, having scored in all three Moroccan group games. His winning penalty caps a memorable run for a side that finished above Brazil rivals in the group reckoning.

05

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

How many Latin American teams are left in the World Cup?

After June 29, Brazil and Paraguay are confirmed in the Round of 16. Argentina, Colombia, and the Mexico vs Ecuador winner will join them once their ties are played.

That means at least four Latin American sides reach the last 16, with a fifth guaranteed from tonight’s all-LatAm tie at the Azteca.

Why was the Germany goal disallowed in extra time?

Jonathan Tah headed in a corner in the 102nd minute, but a video review found that teammate Waldemar Anton had pushed goalkeeper Orlando Gill before the ball arrived. The goal was ruled out for the foul.

Germany controlled much of the match but could not score again, and the tie went to penalties at 1-1.

Who do Brazil and Paraguay play next?

Brazil meet the winner of Ivory Coast vs Norway on July 5 in New York. Paraguay face the winner of France vs Sweden on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Both ties are in the Round of 16, the stage at which the bracket starts to narrow quickly.