We started with 48 teams, and now only four remain. From last-minute winners and controversial red cards to penalty shootouts, here are six shocking moments that captured the world from the first two rounds of the knockout stage of the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

1. Luka Modrić’s World Cup farewell

When fans saw the Portugal vs Croatia line-up in the round of 32, they knew the match would end in heartbreak for one side. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, and Croatia’s Luka Modrić, 40, were both playing in what was their final World Cup, meaning one Ballon d’Or winner would go home early.

After Portugal’s Ramos scored a winner in the 94th minute, Modrić’s remarkable international and World Cup career came to an end.

Portugal were then knocked out of the tournament by Spain in the round of 16, with their 1–0 defeat ending Ronaldo’s World Cup career as well.

2. Harry Kane saves England

Harry Kane recently became England’s top scorer and most-capped player, and he has lived up to that reputation at this year’s World Cup.

In England’s round of 32 match, DR Congo’s Brian Cipenga scored an early goal to put the African side 1–0 ahead. England struggled to respond in the second half, but a cross from Anthony Gordon in the 75th minute found Kane, who headed home to level the game. He then followed up with a powerful strike into the top corner to send England through.

 

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3. Germany’s early exit

Since winning the World Cup in 2014, Germany have struggled to do well in the tournament, and their 2026 campaign followed the same pattern.

In a match they were expected to win comfortably, Germany were kept level by Paraguay after extra time, forcing a penalty shootout. After missing two penalties, Germany lost 4–3 and exited the tournament early. Paraguay, on the other hand, were delighted.

4. Morocco send the Netherlands home

Morocco were the dark horses of the 2022 World Cup, and have done brilliantly this year too. In the round of 32, they faced a strong Netherlands side. With a late goal in the 91st minute, Morocco’s Issa Diop levelled the score at 1–1 and sent the match to penalties. The Dutch delivered a poor shootout, scoring only two of their five attempts. Morocco missed two of theirs, but still did enough to advance to the round of 16.

5. Argentina narrowly avoid a shock

The reigning World Cup champions are among the tournament favourites, but they had to work hard to get past Cape Verde in the round of 32. With superstars like Messi in the squad, Argentina were expected to cruise through, but the underdogs held them to 1–1 and forced extra time.

Lisandro Martínez put Argentina ahead early in extra time, but Cape Verde simply refused to give up. In the 103rd minute, Lopes Cabral produced a brilliant shot into the top-right corner – undoubtedly one of the best goals of the tournament – to keep their hopes alive. Argentina finally escaped after Cape Verde let in an own goal in the 111th minute.

6. Norway stun Brazil

This year’s tournament marks only Norway’s fourth appearance in the World Cup, but they made it count against one of the biggest teams in world football.

In the round of 16, Norway faced five-times winners Brazil, and few expected an upset. But Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland thought differently. He headed Norway into the lead in the 79th minute before adding a powerful low shot in the 90th minute to make it 2–0.

Brazil did score a penalty in added time, but it was not enough to mount a comeback. Norway pulled off a major shock.

Now, we’re nearly at the end. The quarter-finals are over and the semi-finals are imminent. France play Spain tonight (Tuesday 14 July) and England face off against their historic nemesis Argentina on Wednesday: a battle between Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Lamal, Harry Kane and Lionel Messi.
Who will come out victorious and contest the final next Sunday? Watch to find out.