The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 continued with two contrasting knockout matches. Morocco produced a ruthless second-half display to eliminate co-host Canada, while France needed a Kylian Mbappé penalty to overcome a resilient Paraguay.
The results set up a blockbuster quarter-final between Morocco and France, while attention now turns to the remaining Round of 16 clashes featuring Brazil vs Norway and Mexico vs England.
Morocco Punish Canada With Clinical Second-Half Display
Final Score: Canada 0-3 Morocco
Canada looked the stronger side throughout the opening half at Houston Stadium, creating several promising chances but failing to convert them.
The hosts nearly made the perfect start in the fifth minute when Stephen Eustaquio delivered a dangerous corner, forcing goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into an important punch clear. Minutes later, Bounou produced another excellent save to deny Tani Oluwaseyi.
Despite dominating possession and creating four clear opportunities before halftime, Canada entered the break without a goal.
Everything changed after the restart.
Ounahi Leads Morocco’s Counter-Attacking Masterclass
Morocco adjusted their approach in the second half, sitting deeper before exploiting the spaces left by Canada’s aggressive press.
The breakthrough came in the 50th minute, when Azzedine Ounahi finished off a flowing attacking move. After a brief VAR review, the goal stood.
As Canada committed more players forward in search of an equalizer, Morocco became increasingly dangerous on the counter.
Ounahi struck again in the 82nd minute, calmly finishing another fast break to effectively end the contest.
Deep into stoppage time, Soufiane Rahimi added a third goal in the 98th minute, completing an emphatic 3-0 victory.
One remarkable statistic highlighted Morocco’s efficiency. They converted three of their five shots, a 60% shot conversion rate, the highest recorded in a World Cup knockout match since detailed data collection began in 1966.
Mbappé Sends France Into The Quarter-Finals
Final Score: Paraguay 0-1 France
France faced a stubborn Paraguay side that frustrated the tournament runners-up for much of the match at Philadelphia Stadium.
Paraguay, fresh from eliminating Germany in a dramatic penalty shootout, defended with discipline using a compact 5-4-1 formation that limited France to speculative efforts from distance during the first half.
Although Les Bleus controlled possession, goalkeeper Orlando Gill remained largely untroubled before the break.
VAR Drama Decides A Tight Contest
France increased the pressure immediately after halftime.
Ousmane Dembélé fired into the side netting before Manu Koné tested Gill with a powerful long-range strike that required a full-stretch save.
The decisive moment arrived in the 69th minute.
Substitute Désiré Doué was brought down inside the penalty area by Diego Gómez, but play initially continued. Following a lengthy VAR review, the referee awarded France a penalty.
Kylian Mbappé calmly converted the spot kick into the bottom-right corner to score the only goal of the match.
Paraguay pushed hard during 10 minutes of added time, but France defended resolutely to secure a narrow victory.
The goal marked Mbappé’s seventh goal of the 2026 World Cup and his 11th career World Cup knockout-stage goal, further strengthening his reputation as one of football’s biggest big-game performers.
Quarter-Final Showdown Awaits
With the victories, Morocco and France advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, where they will meet in Boston on July 9, 2026.
Morocco arrive full of confidence after dismantling Canada with ruthless efficiency, while France continue their pursuit of another World Cup title behind the goalscoring brilliance of Mbappé.
Preview: Brazil Look To Finally Beat Norway
One of the most intriguing Round of 16 fixtures sees Brazil attempt to overcome a long-standing psychological barrier against Norway.
Remarkably, Brazil have never defeated Norway in four previous meetings, recording two defeats and two draws, including their memorable loss at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Brazil reached this stage after Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan. Norway also advanced with a 2-1 win against Ivory Coast, inspired by another goal from Erling Haaland.
Brazil Team News
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has several selection concerns.
Raphinha and Lucas Paquetá are unavailable through injury, while Casemiro faces a late fitness assessment.
Even so, Vinícius Júnior remains Brazil’s biggest attacking threat, while Neymar could play a larger role after returning from injury as a substitute in the previous round.
Probable Brazil XI:
Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos; Casemiro (or Danilo Oliveira), Bruno Guimarães, Rayan; Matheus Cunha, Vinícius Júnior, Endrick.
Norway Team News
Norway are competing in their first World Cup knockout match in 28 years.
Although Erling Haaland admitted he is dealing with fatigue, he will continue to spearhead the attack. Captain Martin Ødegaard remains the creative heartbeat in midfield.
Defender Julian Ryerson remains doubtful because of a thigh injury, meaning Marcus Pedersen is expected to start at right-back.
Probable Norway XI:
Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Ødegaard, Berge, Berg; Sørloth, Haaland, Nusa.
Preview: Mexico Aim To Use Home Advantage Against England
The other Round of 16 clash features co-hosts Mexico against England at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
Mexico progressed after defeating Ecuador 2-0, while England edged DR Congo 2-1.
Although weather concerns briefly raised doubts over kickoff, FIFA has confirmed the match will proceed as scheduled.
Mexico Carry Momentum Into Knockout Clash
Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel has yet to concede a goal after 348 minutes of tournament football.
Winger Julián Quiñones, who has already scored three goals, will look to exploit England’s injury concerns at right-back.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Gilberto Mora is poised to become the youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match since Pelé in 1958.
Probable Mexico XI:
Rangel; Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Gallardo; Romo, Lira, Mora; Alvarado, Jiménez, Quiñones.
England Rely On Experience
England manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to stick with his disciplined tactical setup.
Captain Harry Kane will battle physically against defender César Montes, while Jude Bellingham is likely to face close attention from midfielders Erik Lira and Luis Romo.
One battle that could decide the match is Julián Quiñones versus Djed Spence. With England short of natural right-back options, Mexico may target that flank throughout the game.
Probable England XI:
Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guéhi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.
