world cup 2026 knock out stages

South Africa

Canada

South Africa 0 Canada 1

Inglewood
28 June

South Africa produced some splendid moves in the first half while Canada were twice denied when Moise Bombito’s effort was cleared off the line and then Tajon Buchanan's close range shot was blocked. In the second half Canada took control but it was not until the second minute of added time that they got the goal they deserved, Eustaquio striking the ball from the edge of the box into the corner.

Brazil

Japan

Brazil 2 Japan 1

Houston
29 June

Japan led at half-time thanks to Sano who surged into space left by Brazil's central defenders to fire home (29'). Brazil did not panic and in the second half they dominated. After two close calls, Casemiro scored with a powerful header (56'). Moments later Zion Suzuki got his fingertips to Vinicius Junior's effort, diverting it onto the post. With extra-time loomimg, Martinelli received the ball in the box and beat Suzuki in the fifth minute of added time and Brazil were through.

Germany

Paraguay

Germany 1 Paraguay 1
Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties

Foxborough
29 June

Paraguay put on an impressive defensive performance throughout the match conceding possession to Germany who recycled the ball constantly but were thwarted every time by Paraguay's determined defence. In the 42nd minute Paraguay were awarded a rare corner which was punched away by the German 'keeper. Matias Galarza gathered the clearance and sent over a perfect cross for Julio Enciso to head home. After the break Germany quickly equalised through Havertz. In extra time Germany thought they had got the winner but Jonathan Tah's header from a corner was ruled out for an earlier foul. And so to penalties and after a dramatic to and fro of scores, saves and misses Paraguay prevailed against all the odds.

Netherlands

Morocco

Netherlands 1 Morocco 1
Morocco won 3-2 on penalties

Guadalupe
29 June

Morocco have been impressive in the tournament and this prompted Ronald Koeman to change the Dutch formation to play with five at the back rather than the free-scoring 4-3-3 of earlier games. Morocco were allowed 70% of the possession but in the 72nd minute Cody Gakpo put his team ahead. The entire Dutch squad rushed onto the pitch as much as in support as celebration. Gakpo had elected to play despite the recent loss of his unborn son and he was in tears as he made his way back up the pitch. That should have been that but in added time Talbi sent over a perfect cross that Issa Diop headed in at the far post. The penalty shoot out was a chaotic affair with the woodwork playing a prominent part before Morocco scored the winner with the tenth kick.

Côte d'Ivoire

Norway

Côte d'Ivoire 1 Norway 2

Arlington
30 June

Côte d'Ivoire had the best of the first half in a tightly contested match and in particular posed a threat from the flanks. It was, however, Norway's Antonio Nusa who broke the deadlock, scoring in the 39th minute with a curling drive that beat the goalkeeper before nestlong in the far corner. In the second half the African side were energised by the introduction of Diallo. After clearing off the line at one end he promptly scored the equaliser at the other, playing a quick one-two with Pepe and passing two defenders before sending the ball beyond Nyland (74"). Haaland had the last word stabbing Berg's low cross in from close range 12 minutes later. Diallo almost snatched an equaliser from a terrific free-kick that drew a magnificent save from Nyland.

France

Sweden

France 3 Sweden 0

East Rutherford
30 June

Led by Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice, France swept Sweden aside with a display of scintillating attacking football. In the first half alone they 15 goal attempts, with one goal ruled out for offside, and two attmpts hitting the woodwork. On the stroke of half-time, Mbappé, receiving a short corner on the left before slipping into the box and unleashing a fierce drive into the far corner. France continued to besiege Sweden after the interval racking up two more from Barcola (53') and Mbappé (74').

Mexico

Ecuador

Mexico 2 Ecuador 0

Mexico City
30 June

After a one hour delay due to thunderstorms, Ecuador struggled to cope with the fervant atmosphere in the Stadio Azteca and the relentless attacks from the home who started the game like a whirlwind. In the 22nd minute Julián Quiñones ran down the left, cut inside and then sent a shot beyond Ecuador's goalkeeper. Nine minutes later Raúl Jiménez capitalised on a defensive error to fire the ball into the top corner. Although Ecuador played far better in the second half there was no way back and the game ended on a sour note when Piero Hincapié covered his mouth when confronting an opponent and was sent off in stoppage time.

England

DR Congo

England 2 DR Congo 1

Atlanta
1 July

England were 15 minutes away from a humiliating defeat before their captain and talisman, Harry Kane, stepped in to save the day. DR Congo were by no means intimidated by their opponents and deserved to take an early lead through Cipenga in the seventh minute. England were dreadful, once again ponderously advancing through midfield before stopping and waiting for the opposing defenders to invite them in. They were fortunate not to concede a second when Yoane Wissa hit the post with the goal at at his mercy on the stroke of half-time. With time running out Kane came to the rescue with a powerfully headed goal in the 75th minute. With four minutes of normal time left he struck again, collecting the ball on the edge of the box, striding forward and then twisting to unleash an unstoppable shot past Mpasi. England must now face Mexico at the Azteca and must improve if they expect to get anything from this match.

Belgium

Senegal

Belgium 3 Senegal 2
After extra time

Seattle
1 July

It's been a cruel year for the Lions of Teranga. Stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title they suffered an almost impossible defeat at the hands of Belgium. Senegal started the match strongly and deserved to be ahead when Habib Diarra was the quickest to react after Sarr's header rebounded. Sarr got on the scoresheet early in the second half, controlling a long ball from Niakhate and firing past Courtois. With five minutes to go Lukaku gave Belgium a lifeline and in the 89th minute Tielemans headed home an inswinging cross to force extra-time. In injury time at the end of extra-time Tielemans went down in the box. The VAR review confirmed a penalty which he converted.

United States

Bosnia & Herzegovina

United States 2 Bosnia & Herzegovina 0

Santa Clara
1 July

The United State's star striker, Folarin Balogun had several good chances in the first-half and put his team into the lead on the stroke of half-time. In the second half he was shown the red card after an apparently innocent collision with Tarik Muharemovic in which the striker's foot landed on his opponents ankle. The USA had to dig in and defend with grit for the rest of the game and got their reward when Tilman scored with a beautifully struck free kick that went over the wall and dipped under the crossbar (82').

Spain

Austria

Spain 3 Austria 0

Inglewood
2 July

Spain outclassed Austria from start to finish gradually increasing the pressure until Mikel Oyarzabal swept Marc Cucurella's low cross in from 12 yards. Heroics by Austria's goalkeeper, Schlager, prevented Spain from increasing their lead until the 66th minute when Pedro Porro ran into the box to head home Alex Baena's cross. The victory was sealed by Oyarzabal in the 89th minute who slid home an inch perfect pass from Cucurella.

Portugal

Croatia

Portugal 2 Croatia 1

Toronto
2 July

The match sprang to life when Ivan Perišić crashed the ball home eight minutes after the restart. Matanović thought he had doubled Croatia's lead two minutes later but a team mate was offside. Within a few minutes Rafael Leão hit the crossbar and Ronaldo flicked the ball into the net but was ruled offside. In the 68th minute Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot after VAR spotted a foul on Veiga at a corner. Ronaldo was visibly annoyed when he was substituted in the 81st minute at which point extra-time seemed inevitable. The match then took a final, chaotic turn when Gonçalo Ramos rose above three defenders and headed home Leão's cross. Unbelievably Joško Gvardiol bundled the ball into Portugal's goal in the 13th minute of added time but a VAR review revealed that Matanović had made the slightest contact with the ball as it flew to Pasović making him offside: had Matanović missed it, the goal would have stood.

Switzerland

Algeria

Switzerland 2 Algeria 0

Vancouver
2 July

In the tenth minute Johan Manzambi surged down the left wing to the byline before cutting the ball back to Embolo who turned it in. Algeria played well before the break but Fares Chaibi fluffed their best chance on the stroke of half-time, a weak shot which Gregor Kobel saved easily. Just 46 seconds after the restart, Dan Ndoye doubled the Swiss lead with a shot from inside the area after Algeria's defenders failed to clear. Fabian Rieder had a chance to increase Switzerland's advantage but he mishit his effort which was safely gathered by Luca Zidane. Remarkably this was the first knockout game the Swiss had won since 1938.

Australia

Egypt

Australia 1 Egypt 1
Egypt won 4-2 on penalties

Arlington
3 July

Australia started well, Volpato grazing the cross bar with a long range shot but Ashour put Egypt into the lead in the 13th minute, stooping to head Hafez's cross home. Australia were full of effort but did not create any clear chances. A set piece was Australia's most likey way to score and on 55 minutes O'Neill swung in a free-kick from the left towards a mass of players and the unfortunate Hany headed into his own net. Egypt woke up as the end of normal time loomed and had two excellent chances but Beach made a brilliant one handed save to keep out Rabia's header while Hassan's late shot was blocked by Souttar. Just before the end of extra-time substitute goalkeeper Mat Ryan replaced Beach but the gamble failed. Egypt kept their nerve and scored with their first four penalties while the Australians missed two.

Argentina

Cabo Verde

Argentina 3 Cabo Verde 2 after extra time

Miami Gardens
3 July

Cabo Verde's World Cup adventure came to an end in Miami in an epic game that took the World Champions to the very brink. Messi (who else?) opened the scoring in the 29th minute, controlling a looping pass with magical perfection and thumping it home before Vozinho could set himself. After surviving relentless pressure, Ryan Mendes found Duarte who took two steps before crashing home to equalise (59'). Two minutes into extra-time Lisandro Martínez received the ball from a corner, cut inside and sent the ball into the roof of the net. Cabo Verde were not done and after winning three corners in succession, there was a moment of startling brilliance as Sydny Cabral gathered the ball on the left, slipped inside and unleashed a perfect shot that looped into the far corner. With 111 minutes played, Romero headed Messi's corner goalwards: it struck defender Diney Borges and deflected past Vozinho into the goal. Cabo Verde did not give up and had two further chances before the final whistle when the Argentinian players fell to their knees with relief.

Colombia

Ghana

Colombia 1 Ghana 0

Kansas City
3 July

The decisive goal was scored by Jhon Arias in the 14th minute, caressing the ball home from Suarez's square pass. From that point on, Colombia were comfortably in control. Diaz blasted a shot wide from inside the box and Ati-Zigi produced a brilliant reaction save to deny Mojica's header. Diaz had the ball in the net ten minutes into the second half but was marginally offside. Colombia kept it tight at the back and could have had a hatful more goals but for Ati-Zigi's exceptional goalkeeping.

Canada

Morocco

Canada 0 Morocco 3

Houston
4 July

In a bad tempered first half Morocco failed to impress but five minutes into the second half Achraf Hakimi cut back a free kick which Ounahi stroked into the corner from the edge of the box. With eight minutes of normal time remaining Ounahi made the game safe with a goal from a breakaway. Soufiane Rahimi scored a third deep into added time, sliding the ball under the Canadian 'keeper after a slick move that carved Canada's defence wide open..

Paraguay

France

Paraguay 0 France 1

Philadelphia
4 July

Paraguay set out to frustrate France by retreating to deep positions whenever France were in possession, which was most of the time. France were reduced to speculative shorts from range that did not trouble Paraguay's goalkeeper. The Paraguayan players sought to provoke their opponents with constant fouls, nudges and shirt pulling. To a degree they succeeded: a weak referee booked three French players but none from Paraguay despite their persistent foul play. France moved more rapidly in the second half seeking to unbalance their opponents and the decisive moment came with an hour played when Désiré Doué went down in the box. The referee failed to see the incident and had to be called back by VAR to review the footage. A penalty was awarded and a disgraceful scene followed as the Paraguayan team surrounded the referee, gesticulating, jostling and arguing in an attempt to delay the kick and unsettle Mbappé who stood impassively in the middle of it all. When the penalty area was finally cleared Mbappé ran up, hesitated, to make the 'keeper commit and then calmly passed the ball into the other side of the net. His triumphant grin said it all.

Brazil

Norway

Brazil 1 Norway 2

East Rutherford
5 July

Patrick Berge had the ball in Brazil's net after just four minutes but this was ruled out for offside. Brazil were awarded a penalty on the 15 minute mark but Bruno Guimarães' spot kick was saved by Nyland. The heat and humidity meant that for periods the game was played at walking pace and neither side pressed but at other times it ebbed and flowed with both sides creating chances. As the game wore on Norway picked up the pace and they went ahead in the 79th minute when Haaland crept ahead of his marker to powerfully head home Schjelderup's cross. As Brazil pressed for the equaliser, Norway counter attacked and with 90 minutes gone the ball was played to Haaland lurking just outside the box and he crashed it home. Naymar scored a consolation goal for Brazil from a penalty in the 10th minute of added time.

Mexico

England

Mexico 2 England 3

Mexico City
5 July

Reduced to ten men, England hung on in an epic match to achieve their finest knock-out victory since 1966. In the cauldron of the Stadio Azteca England had to take the game to the home team and this they did, Jude Bellingham scoring twice in two minutes (30', 32'). Julián Quiñones pounced on a poor clearance from a set piece to crash the ball into the net in the 42nd minute. England started the seond half on the front foot but their momentum was interrupted when a VAR intervention led to Jarell Quansah being sent off for a tackle on Jesús Gallardo. England were thrown a lifeline on the hour when Anthony Gordan was brought down in the box by the Mexican goalkeeper. Kane converted the penalty. Mexico now attacked vigorously and when Kane made a rash challenge on Brian Gutiérrez in the box, VAR intervened again and a penalty was awarded that Jiménez cooly converted. For the next 11 minutes Mexico attacked relentlessly, Pickford performed miracles and the players kept heading crosses clear and throwing themselves in the way to block shots. They had to survive an additional 11 minutes of added time but they hung for a famous victory.

Portugal

Spain

Portugal 0 Spain 1

Arlington
6 July

This eagerly anticipated confrontation turned into something of an anti-climax in a cagey, tense match. Spain had a great chance in the third minute when Oyarxabel got behind the Portuguese defence but he dragged his shot wide. Costa then produced a double save to deny Yamal and Baena. Portugal came close in the 41st minute when Mendes' shot was deflected against the cross bar. There was little action in the second half during which Ronaldo was more or less a spectator. With extra-time minutes away a Spain took a quick free-kick and found Merino waiting in a gap in the Portuguese defence from where he finished in the bottom left corner.

United States

Belgium

United States 1 Belgium 4

Seattle
6 July

Following an intervention by President Trump, FIFA made the unprecedented decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card in the previous round so he could be available for this match. The decision may have backfired and given Belgium all the motivation they needed to hammer the co-hosts. In the ninth minute a long ball and some great approach play left Charles de Ketelaere with a simple chance to score. Malik Tillman equalised from a free-kick in the 31st minute but the American's relief was short-lived, de Ketelaere restoring Belgium's lead with a short-range header two minutes later. In the 57th minute the US goalkeeper, Freese, came out of his area to intercept a long ball. He then hesitated and lost the ball allowing Vanaken to pinch the ball and roll it into the goal from outside the penalty area. Lukaku then finished things off in added time with a smart finish.

Argentina

Egypt

Argentina 3 Egypt 2

Atlanta
7 July

Egypt came within 15 minutes of creating one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history in an epic game. The Pharaohs led at half-time thanks to Ibrahim who outjumped his marker to head Attia's cross into the corner (15'). The World Champions should have drawn level when they were awarded a penalty but Mostafa Shobeir brilliantly saved Messi's kick. Egypt had the ball in the net again around the hour mark, Zico finishing off a flowing counter-attack but VAR had spotted a foul at the other end and his effort was ruled out. Zico struck again in the 67th minute and there was no denying this one. When Romero pulled Argentina back into the game with a header (79') they woke up. Four minutes later Messi smashed home the equaliser and in a frantic finale, Enzo Fernández scoring the winner (90+2) moments after Egypt had been denied a penalty at the other end.

Switzerland

Colombia

Switzerland 0 Colombia 0
Switzerland won 4-3 on penalties.

Vancouver
7 July

If the match in Atlanta had been a thrilling ride this game was one to be endured. Both sides prodded and probed for 120 minutes without seriously threatening their opponent's goal. The two midfields controlled proceedings but possession was shared more or less equally. Colombia had several chances in extra-time but these were wasted by their strikers. The Swiss held their nerve in the penalty shoot out but Davinson Sánchez slammed his kick against the bar and Kobel saved Hernández's kick and that was that.

France

Morocco

France 2 Morocco 0

Foxborough
9 July

France dominated posession from the start and had a golden chance to take the lead when Mbappé was brought down in the box. There was an interminal wait before the French captain took his kick. He made a stuttering run up trying to tempt Bounou into committing but the Moroccan goalkeeper stood firm and was able to easily save the kick. Morocco were no threat but France did not break them down until Mbappé curled one into the far corner. Six minutes later Ousmane Dembélé received a pass from his captain and fired it into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Spain

Belgium

Spain 2 Belgium 1

Inglewood
10 July

Fabián Ruiz put Spain ahead after half-an-hour pouncing after Olmo's shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois. After Yamal, who has been outstanding in the competition, hit the side netting, Belgium swept up the pitch from the goal kick, Castagne crossed from the right and De Ketelaere beat his marker to the ball and equalised with a header. After an hour the Belgian goalkeeper, Courtois, went down with a painful thigh and was replaced by Senne Lammens. As the game moved towards the end of normal time, Spain stepped up a gear and in the 88th minute Lammens failed to hold Cubarsi's long-range short and Merino tucked it away for a late winner.

Norway

England

Norway 1 England 2 after extra time

Miami Gardens
11 July

Due to the extreme heat and humidity, much of the first half was played at walking pace but as half-time approached Norway picked up the pace and in the 26th minute Andreas Schjelderup unleashed a dipping shot that deceived Pickford in England's goal. An immediate response was needed and Jude Bellingham provided it, taking Gordan's pass perfectly in his stride, surging into the penalty area and beating Orjan Nyland (45+2'). Kane then put the ball in the net but was offside. The second half was tense and hard fought as players tired. Heggem had the ball in England's net put this was ruled out by VAR for an earlier foul by Haaland. David Moller Wolf later headed against the bar. Three minutes into extra time Bellingham struck again, reacting to Nyland's error to settle the game. Haaland had been subdued and was taken off during the extra-time break and without him Norway pressed but England defended with determination to see out the game.

Argentina

Switzerland

Argentina 3 Switzerland 1 after extra time

Kansas City
11 July

Argentina struck first, the diminutive Mac Allister heading home firmly from a corner despite the presence of several towering defenders (10'). Emilio Martínez kept Argentina in the game, racing out of his goal to head off Breel Embolo. In the 67th minute Ndoye cut inside, played a one-two with Rodriguez and tucked the ball between the legs of Martínez. Five minutes later Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation and the game turned in Argentina's favour but they could not take advantage in normal time. In the second period of extra-time, Lautaro Martínez scored when Switzerland were caught out by a swift counter attack and Alvarez settled matters in added time (120+1).

France

Spain

France 0 Spain 2

Arlington
14 July

France went into this match as the overwhelming favourites but in the end they were blown away by a supreme display of control and team work by their opponents. Spain were flawless in defence and merciless in the attack. In the 22nd minute Oyarzabal put Spain ahead from a penalty after Lamine Yamal, who has emerged as one of the stars of the competition, was taken down in the box. In the 58th minute Porro played a one-two with Danni Olmo and made a run into the box before burying the ball in the French net. The mystery was what had happened to France who had been so dominant in their previous games but barely competed in this one.

England

Argentina

England v Argentina

Atlanta
15 July

XXXX

France

France v

Miami Gardens
18 July

XXXX

Spain

Spain v

East Rutherford
19 July

XXXX

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Round of 32

South Africa 0 Canada 1

Brazil 2 Japan 1

Germany 1 Paraguay 1
Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties

Netherlands 1 Morocco 1
Morocco won 3-2 on penalties

Côte d'Ivoire 1 Norway 2

France 3 Sweden 0

Mexico 2 Ecuador 0

England 2 DR Congo 1

Belgium 3 Senegal 2
After extra time

United States 2 Bosnia & Herzegovina 0

Spain 3 Austria 0

Portugal 2 Croatia 1

Switzerland 2 Algeria 0

Australia 1 Egypt 1
Egypt won 4-2 on penalties

Argentina 3 Cabo Verde 2 after extra time

Colombia 1 Ghana 0

Round of 16

Canada 0 Morocco 3

Paraguay 0 France 1

Brazil 1 Norway 2

Mexico 2 England 3

Portugal 0 Spain 1

United States 1 Belgium 4

Argentina 3 Egypt 2

Switzerland 0 Colombia 0
Switzerland won 4-3 on penalties.

Quarter-Finals

France 2 Morocco 0

Spain 2 Belgium 1

Norway 1 England 2 after extra time

Argentina 3 Switzerland 1 after extra time

Semi-Finals

France 0 Spain 2

England v Argentina

Third Place Play-Off

France v

FINAL

Spain v

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