We are in the final stretch of the 2026 World Cup. The Round of 32 and the Round of 16 delivered its share of shocks, games for the ages, last minute drama, and controversies. Eight teams remain for what will surely be another journey filled with drama and heroics on the pitch.
CST’s José Guerra and Gracin Galbreath give you a digestible review of these rounds that have now defined the quarterfinalists.
HOST CHECK
Each of the three co-hosts won over their opponents in the Round of 32. Canada dispatched South Africa 1-0, winning its first ever knockout match via a last-second Stephen Eustaquio golden goal. The U.S. handily eliminated Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0, but at a high price that would affect the overall vibes of the tournament. Mexico, in a somewhat surprising result, took down Ecuador 2-0, a team that had given up only five goals during 18 qualifying matches in South America, finishing second behind Argentina.
The story was not as positive in the next round. Canada would lock horns with Morocco and played what was probably their best first half of the tournament. However Les Lions de l’Atlas (The “Atlas Lions”) would
prove again why they went to the semifinal of the 2022 World Cup, downing Les Rouges 3-0.
Mexico would next face England in the intimidating home atmosphere of the Estadio Azteca. The co-hosts again started strong, with high pressing and speed, but two mistakes put them behind quickly by two goals. Despite going up a player for 35 minutes and laying siege to England for the last 20 minutes, El Tri went down 3-2.
The USA would then play Belgium in a match marred by controversy due to the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina. (We talked about this more during our weekly show.) Belgium surprisingly did not start three of their usual starters but still dominated the USMNT from start to finish, eliminating the home squad 4-1. – Jose
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Harry Kane flipped a possibly shocking upset by DR Congo upside down by scoring a brace within the final 15 minutes. His second goal was a brilliantly taken finish into the roof of the net from the middle of the box.
- In Cape Verde’s unbelievable tussle with Argentina, it was Sidny Lopes Cabral’s added-extra-time equalizer that may very well be the goal of the tournament—a long distance, curling finish from the very corner of the box into the top right. How fitting that it comes in what may also be the match of the tournament.
- Erling Haaland single-handedly steered the Norwegians into their first quarterfinal with a late brace, shocking the record champions Brazil.
- Jude Bellingham did what has never been done before by scoring a brace in the space of two minutes in one of the most intimidating environments in world football in Mexico City. To add to the occasion, it came against hosts Mexico. – Gracin
QUARTERFINALIST JOURNEYS
FRANCE
Many had doubts on whether or not the quartet of French forwards (Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Bradley Barcola) would find the chemistry needed to win it all, and now they seem to be in a category of their own when it comes to contenders.
They turned it up to fifth gear in their Round-of-32 tie against Sweden. They amassed 25 shots on the Swedish goal, and looked like converting 8 or 9 if heroics didn’t keep them at what felt like a meager 3. Mbappe opened the scoring, continuing his unprecedented streak of goalscoring at this stage. Olise looked magical as a playmaker, cashing two assists by playing inch-perfect through-balls to Barcola and Mbappe for his brace.
They were expected to roll over Paraguay in the Round-of-16, but the underdogs played a unique South American game of sitting back and antagonizing. The match was almost entirely spent near their box, but in the end, Les Bleus capitalized with only a late Mbappe penalty for the 1-0 win. – Gracin
MOROCCO
Morocco were coming off of a hugely disheartening result in the AFCON final, only to receive the title posthumously and continue their long streak of being undefeated. They were the unopposed top team in Africa on paper, but many wondered if they were going to do it again on this stage.
Their heavyweight Round-of-32 clash with European giants Netherlands began with a back-and-forth, but scoreless, first half. Towards the final twenty minutes, Cody Gakpo found the lead for the Dutch in a beautiful moment. However, it was spoiled with a crashing header from Issa Diop in stoppage time. It went to extra-time, and then penalties, with the Moroccans looking like the deserved victors after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Crysencio Summerville’s attempt.
Morocco then looked to spoil the Canadian party in the Round-of-16, but it began with them stunned by the hosts’ pressing and overall intensity. By the second half, though, the Moroccans ran them into the ground with their ball movement. Azzedine Ounahi scored not long after the break. Once spaces opened up, the Girona midfielder found his brace and substitute Soufiane Rahimi added another. – Gracin
Photo: Rob Moore
SPAIN
Spain went into the tournament as one of three sure contenders. They showed no weakness in any part of the pitch, and their possessional play was hardly rivaled by anyone. After winning the UEFA Euro 2024 championship over England, they would now attempt to put themselves in history as an international dynasty.
Ralf Rangnick’s high-pressing Austrians started strong against the Spaniards in the Round-of-32. However, they were quickly exposed and passed through—towards the end of the first half, the ball was worked into the box for a Mikel Oyarzabal finish. Right-back Pedro Porro made a central run to make it 2-0 in the second half, and Oyarzabal found his brace the same way he found his first late in the match.
The biggest heavyweight matchup yet between Spain and Portugal was an unsurprising deadlock with both sides sharing possession and alternating in momentum. Still, as time went on, the Spanish became more intent to attack, and in stoppage time they passed through the Portuguese defense for Mikel Merino to finish off a box-darting run. The curse of the Round-of-16 that plagued Spain since their win in 2010 was over. – Gracin
BELGIUM
There were doubts that Belgium had enough young players to supplant their aging golden generation, and they were somewhat proven when they started the tournament with two draws to lesser opponents.
In their Round-of-32 tie against Senegal, the window looked to be closing on this generation for the last time when they went down 2-0 with four minutes to go. A goal by the substitute Romelu Lukaku gave them a chance, and midfielder Youri Tielemans scored the equalizer as Senegal completely lost control. The “Lions of Teranga” survived into extra time, but a penalty at the 120th minute was converted for Tielemans’ brace, and the comeback was completed in dramatic fashion.
The controversy surrounding Belgium’s upcoming matchup with hosts United States added some extra determination. Right out of the gate, the Belgians were in control, threatening the opposition box and leaving the hosts zero space to answer. Forward Charles de Kaetelare played the surprising hero, tapping in the first goal within the first 10 minutes. The USMNT’s Malik Tillman scored an empathic equalizer off another free-kick, only for de Kaetelare to immediately net again and retake the lead. The hosts continued to look fearful in the second half, with veteran Hans Vanaken capitalizing on an egregious goalkeeping error. The Belgians added salt in the wound when Lukaku came off the bench and scored again, advancing in their most thumping win yet. – Gracin
NORWAY
The Røde, Hvite, Blå (Red, White, and Blue) of Norway reached the knockout stage as the Group I runners-up, finishing behind France, but perhaps to conserve their energy for when it mattered most.
In the Round of 32, the Norse defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 in a game that was deceptively tight. Erling Haaland again playing a central role in Norway’s attack, while Martin Ødegaard dictated play from midfield. The match was competitive, with Ivory Coast pressing hard for an equalizer late, but Norway’s defensive organization held firm. The victory gave Norway their first World Cup knockout win and continued a remarkable resurgence for a nation appearing in its first World Cup since 1998.
Against Ivory Coast, Norway showed the counterattacking style that had served them well throughout the tournament. After taking the lead, they weathered significant pressure and survived several dangerous attacking moments from the Ivorians. While the match did not feature a major refereeing controversy, the tension remained high throughout the final stages, as Ivory Coast pushed numbers forward searching for an equalizer. Norway’s composure under pressure became one of the defining themes of the match.
Norway followed that performance with one of the tournament’s biggest shocks, beating Brazil 2-1 in the Round of 16. Haaland scored both Norwegian goals and eliminated the five-time world champions. While Brazil controlled stretches of possession, Norway were ruthless in transition and clinical in front of goal. The result was historic, sending Norway into the quarterfinals and making Haaland one of the faces of the tournament. The victory is widely regarded as one of the greatest wins in Norwegian football history. – Jose
ENGLAND
The Three Lions entered the knockout rounds after finishing first in Group L. Their Round-of-32 match against DR Congo turned into a major scare. While England eventually won 2-1, they trailed early and struggled for long stretches. Captain Harry Kane delivered when it mattered most, scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to rescue England and prevent what would have been one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
The DR Congo match exposed some vulnerabilities in England’s defense and midfield. England created chances, but the attack lacked efficiency until Kane took over. His late goals completely changed the narrative of the game and reinforced his reputation as England’s clutch performer. Although there was no major controversy, England’s sluggish display generated criticism because many expected a more comfortable performance against an underdog opponent.
England then produced a far stronger display in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16. The match, played at the historic Estadio Azteca, featured multiple momentum swings. Jude Belligham’s first-half brace kept England ahead at the break and maintained that lead, even after defender Jarell Quansah’s red card in the 54th minute, forcing them to play with ten men for much of the second half. Kane again starred with a pivotal penalty kick, while England’s resilience under pressure became the story of the match. The win secured a quarterfinal meeting with Norway. – Jose
Photo: Megan Lee
ARGENTINA
The defending champions Albiceletes topped Group J, winning all three group matches and advancing as group winners. In the Round of 32 they faced Cape Verde and prevailed 3-2, but not after a significant scare in extra time. Cape Verde pushed Argentina far harder than expected, turning what many anticipated would be a routine victory into a tense knockout battle. Throughout the fiery fight, Lionel Messi remained the focal point of Argentina’s attack and leadership.
The Cape Verde match became noteworthy, as Argentina needed extra time to survive. Cape Verde repeatedly threatened on the counterattack and showed tremendous determination. Argentina’s superior talent eventually proved decisive, but the performance raised questions about the defending champions’ defensive stability. The close score line demonstrated that Argentina could be challenged by disciplined opponents despite entering the knockout rounds as one of the favorites. It was only an unfortunate own goal by Cape Verde in overtime that eliminated the sentimental favorites, but the result put the country on the map.
Argentina’s Round-of-16 match against Egypt was one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. Trailing 2-0 with only 15 minutes remaining, Argentina stormed back to win 3-2 in highly controversial fashion. Egypt had a goal by Mostafa Ziko overturned by VAR for a foul earlier in the buildup, and later Mohamed Salah was denied a penalty appeal moments before Argentina launched the counterattack that ended with Enzo Fernández’s winning goal. Egyptian players and officials strongly criticized both decisions after the match, but the result stood with Argentina advancing to face Switzerland in the quarterfinals. – Jose
SWITZERLAND
The Rossocrociati (Red Crosses) qualified for the knockout stage as winners of Group B. In the Round of 32, they earned a comfortable 2-0 victory over Algeria, displaying their trademark organization and discipline, controlling the match and limiting Algeria’s opportunities. Their balanced approach, blending defensive solidity with efficient finishing, made them one of the more difficult teams to break down in the tournament.
Against Algeria, Switzerland’s ability to manage the tempo stood out. Rather than engaging in an open contest, they focused on defensive structure and patiently created scoring chances. Key attacking players such as Breel Embolo and Rubin Vargas continued to contribute, helping Switzerland advance without facing the kind of drama that affected several other quarterfinalists.
The Swiss faced a much tougher challenge in the Round of 16 against Colombia. After 120 scoreless minutes, Switzerland prevailed 4-3 in a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a crucial save on former Columbus forward Cucho Hernández, while Colombia’s Davinson Sánchez struck the crossbar. Despite also missing a penalty in the round, Switzerland rode Rubin Vargas’s hot foot as he calmly converted the winning penalty.
The match featured very few clear scoring chances, though Colombia missed a golden opportunity in extra time when Jaminton Campaz fired over the bar in a one-on-one situation. The victory sent Switzerland to its first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954. – Jose
JULY 19th BECKONS
On that day, two finalists will meet. Will it be Europe against South America or Africa? Or will it be an all-UEFA final?
France squares off against Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 9th. Will Les Bleus prevail over Les Lions de l’Atlas?
Spain meets Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10th. How will La Roja play against Les Diables Rouges?
England clashes against Norway at Miami Stadium on July 11th. Are The Three Lions in for another fight for their lives against the Røde, Hvite, Blå?
Finally, the defending champions, Argentina, fight Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11th. What new suffering will the Albicelestes have to endure against the Rossocrociati? – Jose
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