Unforgettable Round of 32 reshapes World Cup

Doha, Qatar: The FIFA World Cup entered the knockout stage with 32 teams still dreaming of glory. Over 16 matches played across the United States, Canada and Mexico, football’s biggest names were forced to fight for survival, big nations were sent home, and several nations celebrated the greatest victories in their World Cup history.

The biggest shock came with Germany’s exit at the hands of Paraguay. The four-time world champions were held to a 1-1 draw before Paraguay prevailed in a dramatic penalty shootout, eliminating one of the pre-tournament favourites and producing one of the biggest upsets of the competition. zeppelin.cool

Morocco followed with another statement victory. After frustrating the Netherlands throughout 120 minutes, the Atlas Lions kept their composure in the penalty shootout to knock out the Dutch and book their place in the Round of 16 for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup.

History was also made as Egypt produced one of the defining moments of the Round of 32 by defeating Australia on penalties after a fiercely contested 1-1 draw. The victory secured the Pharaohs’ first-ever World Cup knockout win and booked a Round of 16 meeting with Argentina.Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha applauds fans after the defeat. (PICS AFP)

Norway continued their impressive campaign by defeating Ivory Coast to reach the Round of 16, while Switzerland ended an 88-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory with a 2-0 win over Algeria. Canada also made history, edging South Africa 1-0 to book their place in the Round of 16 for the first time.

While several emerging nations celebrated historic nights, the tournament’s biggest names discovered that progress would have to be earned.

Argentina survived one of the most entertaining matches of the knockout stage, overcoming a fearless Cape Verde side 3-2. Making their World Cup debut, Cape Verde once again refused to be overawed, pushing the defending champions until the closing stages before eventually falling short in a performance that further enhanced their reputation despite elimination.

Brazil were similarly tested by Japan before securing a 2-1 victory with a late winner, while Portugal also needed a goal in the closing stages of extra time to edge Croatia by the same scoreline. England, meanwhile, were pushed by a determined DR Congo side before captain Harry Kane inspired a second-half comeback, scoring twice to seal a 2-1 victory and book their place in the Round of 16.

France and Spain were among the few teams to enjoy relatively comfortable evenings. France swept aside Sweden 3-0, while Spain produced their most complete performance of the tournament in a commanding 3-0 victory over Austria. Belgium survived an entertaining five-goal thriller against Senegal, scoring twice in three minutes late in the game before converting a penalty deep into extra time to seal a 3-2 victory.

The United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, while Mexico continued their impressive campaign with a 2-0 win over Ecuador, maintaining their perfect record in the tournament. Colombia completed the Round of 16 lineup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ghana, extending their unbeaten run in the World Cup to four matches.

Six of the 16 ties went beyond 90 minutes, with three requiring penalty shootouts to separate the sides. Five other matches were settled by late goals in normal time, underlining just how little separated victory from elimination.

Goalkeepers emerged as heroes, experienced players delivered under pressure and fine margins, rather than outright domination, determined which teams kept their World Cup dreams alive.

The knockout stage also belonged to football’s biggest stars. From veterans Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the new generation led by Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, football’s biggest stars delivered when it mattered most, keeping their nations in contention and ensuring the race for both the World Cup trophy and the Golden Boot remains wide open.

The Round of 32 has left the competition with a fascinating mix of nations. World champions Argentina, France, Spain, Brazil and England remain firmly in contention, but they are now joined by teams that have already shown they can overcome the odds.

All three host nations the United States, Mexico and Canada have progressed to the Round of 16, alongside Belgium, Paraguay, Morocco, Colombia, Egypt, Norway and Switzerland, each earning their place through composed performances under pressure.

The World Cup now moves into the Round of 16 with the field reduced from 32 teams to 16. The opening knockout round delivered major upsets, historic firsts and unforgettable drama, leaving a tournament that has become increasingly difficult to predict and ensuring every remaining nation believes it still has a genuine chance of lifting football’s biggest prize.

AD Ports Group Signs Official Logistics Partnership with Team Abu Dhabi for the 2026 UIM F1H2O World Championship Abu Dhabi, UAE – 16 July 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics solutions, has signed a logistics partnership agreement with Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, under which AD Ports Group becomes the Official … Continue reading AD Ports Group Partners with Team Abu Dhabi for 2026 F1H2O →

أفادت صحيفة “بيلد” الألمانية اليوم الجمعة بأن يوليان ناجلزمان مدرب المنتخب الوطني سيستقيل من منصبه عقب خروج مبكرا من كأس العالم لكرة القدم، وأشارت إلى أن المدرب (38 عاما) وافق على ترك منصبه عقب محادثات مع كبار مسؤولي كرة القدم الألمان.

وأشارت الصحيفة، مستشهدة بمعلومات خاصة دون تقديم تفاصيل إضافية، إلى أن ناجلزمان قرر الاستقالة بعد “قمة سرية” استمرت ثلاث ساعات أمس الخميس في مقر الاتحاد الألماني في فرانكفورت.

ولم يرد الاتحاد الألماني على الفور على طلب للتعليق أرسل عبر البريد الإلكتروني اليوم.

وقالت الصحيفة إنه تم حث ناجلزمان على التفكير في الرحيل طواعية بعد أن قدم تفسيره لخروج ألمانيا من دور 32 على يد باراجواي بركلات الترجيح يوم الثلاثاء الماضي، وأنه سيتلقى تعويضا يبلغ نحو سبعة ملايين يورو (8 ملايين دولار).

وشكلت هزيمة ألمانيا أمام باراجواي في بوسطن الفشل الثالث على التوالي في كأس العالم بعد خروجها من الدور الأول عامي 2018 و2022. وفازت ألمانيا بكأس العالم للمرة الرابعة عام 2014 في البرازيل.

وقال ناجلزمان، الذي تولى منصبه في 2023 وأصغر مدرب يشارك في مباراة من مرحلة خروج المغلوب في كأس العالم منذ أربعة عقود، بعد الخسارة بأنه “ليس من النوع الذي يقول ‘سأستقيل’ لمجرد أننا خرجنا من البطولة”.

وتوجت ألمانيا بلقب كأس العالم أربع مرات أعوان 1954 و1974 و1990 وأخيرا 2014.

The post صحيفة بيلد: ناجلزمان سيستقيل من تدريب ألمانيا بعد وداع كأس العالم appeared first on كويت نيوز.

Doha: Qatari referee Khamis Al Marri will be part of the officiating team for Sunday's FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, after being appointed as support video assistant referee (support VAR) for the showpiece at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Al Marri will work alongside Germany's Bastian Dankert, who has been named the video assistant referee, and Colombian Nicolás Gallo, who will serve as assistant VAR, giving Qatar representation in one of football's biggest occasions.

On the field, Slovenian Slavko Vincic will referee the World Cup final, becoming the first official from Slovenia to take charge of the tournament's biggest match.

The 46-year-old, who has previously officiated the UEFA Champions League final and UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final between France and Spain, said the appointment was an "incredible honour" and a dream come true.

Vincic will be assisted by fellow Slovenians Tomaz Klančnik and Andraz Kovacic, while Jordan's Adham Makhadmeh has been named fourth official and compatriot Mohammad Al-Kalaf reserve assistant referee.

FIFA said the appointments were based primarily on performances throughout the tournament, with the officials selected to oversee the final after consistently impressive displays across the competition.