The 2026 World Cup has advanced to the quarter-finals after a thrilling round of 16 that featured late comebacks, penalty shoot-outs, and decisive performances from a number of key players. Eight teams remain, with the final eight matches set to determine the tournament's ultimate winner.
Switzerland's progression to the quarter-finals was largely thanks to goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Kobel, who plays for Borussia Dortmund, was instrumental in Switzerland's penalty shootout victory over Colombia after the match remained scoreless through 120 minutes. He made a crucial save during the shootout and another significant stop in extra time to deny Jaminton Campaz.
Morocco's dominance in their 3-0 win against co-hosts Canada was bolstered by strong performances from their defensive players. Achraf Hakimi, the right-back, provided an assist for Azzedine Ounahi's opening goal, marking his third World Cup assist, bringing him close to the record for assists by a defender since 1966. On the left side, Noussair Mazraoui also delivered an assured display, making 14 defensive contributions and winning 12 duels, crucial in keeping Canada scoreless in the first half.
Argentina mounted an epic comeback against Egypt, with Cristian Romero initiating the turnaround in the 79th minute by heading home a pinpoint cross from Lionel Messi. This goal helped spark a dramatic shift in a match that many believed was heading towards a major upset.
France faced a stern challenge from Paraguay, who adopted a defensive strategy. Dayot Upamecano, a key defender for France, was consistently present to neutralize threats, making 12 defensive contributions and winning seven out of nine duels. Beyond his defensive duties, Upamecano was also effective in possession, making 11 passes into the final third and creating one chance.
Midfield Dominance and Attacking Prowess
England's historic 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca stadium saw a standout performance from Jude Bellingham. The midfielder scored two goals within 98 seconds, becoming the first player to score twice at the Azteca in a World Cup match since Diego Maradona in 1986. Bellingham also provided a crucial last-ditch defensive intervention before halftime, showcasing his relentless work rate throughout the match.
Leandro Paredes, described as Argentina's "general," orchestrated the midfield against Egypt, registering the most touches on the pitch with 130. He completed 115 passes, with 21 of those reaching the final third, vital for creating attacking opportunities. After recovering from a hamstring injury, Paredes has effectively protected the defense and driven his team forward.
Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi contributed significantly to their 3-0 win over Canada by scoring a brace, his first goals of the tournament. These goals broke the deadlock and secured the victory before Soufiane Rahimi added a third. Ounahi's form from his debut La Liga campaign with Girona has translated effectively to the international stage.
Lionel Messi continued to be a pivotal player for Argentina, maintaining his place in the team of the round. Despite missing a penalty, he redeemed himself by assisting Romero's goal and then scoring the equalizer against Egypt. Messi's ability to influence the game, even after a missed opportunity, highlights his enduring impact.
Erling Haaland continued his impressive debut World Cup campaign for Norway, scoring twice against Brazil to lead his team to their first-ever World Cup quarter-finals. His brace brought his tournament total to seven goals, trailing only Messi's eight. Haaland also became the first Norwegian player to score a brace in a knockout match of a major international tournament and extended his scoring streak for Norway to 14 consecutive games.
Belgium secured a convincing 4-1 victory against co-hosts USA, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring a brace. He opened the scoring within nine minutes and doubled Belgium's lead shortly after halftime, paving the way for their comfortable passage to the next round.
