The knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally delivered a total knockout to the giants of international football. The underdogs punched way above their weight and stunned the traditional favorites. Brazil managed to pull the game back in the death whereas Germany got knocked out by Paraguay. Netherlands, too, suffered a similar fate at the hands of a fiery Moroccan team.
Japan and Hajime Moriyasu's men displayed an impeccable disciplined performance to contain a bubbling Brazil for 90 minutes. However, the stoppage time blow from Carlo Ancelotti's men delivered Brazil to the Round of 16 without any further drama. Germany on the other hand did not enjoy the same fate. Paraguay dragged Germany into penalties where they sunk the four-time champions.
The Netherlands were the favorites against Morocco despite being ranked just below them in the FIFA rankings. A strong run of form in the group stage gave the edge to the Dutch. However, Achraf Hakimi and team put Ronald Koeman's side to the sword as they created chance after chance. The game ended 1-1 and the penalties put Mohamed Ouahbi's men through to the next round as deserved winners.
This matchup was bound to be a surefire entertainer. A dark horse in **** an going against perpetual favorites and record World Champions in Brazil. Tactical and structural precision vs instinctual and flowing football.
The **** anese side under Hajime Moriyasu were drilled to maintain shape and not allow **** e to the Brazilians under manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Samurais in particular relied on a 5-man backline in defense. The midfield and attack combined in dynamic 2-3 or 3-2 ahead of the backline to periodically press a Brazilian or fall back to cut off passing lanes.
Japan and Hajime Moriyasu's men displayed an impeccable disciplined performance to contain a bubbling Brazil for 90 minutes. However, the stoppage time blow from Carlo Ancelotti's men delivered Brazil to the Round of 16 without any further drama. Germany on the other hand did not enjoy the same fate. Paraguay dragged Germany into penalties where they sunk the four-time champions.
The Netherlands were the favorites against Morocco despite being ranked just below them in the FIFA rankings. A strong run of form in the group stage gave the edge to the Dutch. However, Achraf Hakimi and team put Ronald Koeman's side to the sword as they created chance after chance. The game ended 1-1 and the penalties put Mohamed Ouahbi's men through to the next round as deserved winners.
This matchup was bound to be a surefire entertainer. A dark horse in **** an going against perpetual favorites and record World Champions in Brazil. Tactical and structural precision vs instinctual and flowing football.
The **** anese side under Hajime Moriyasu were drilled to maintain shape and not allow **** e to the Brazilians under manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Samurais in particular relied on a 5-man backline in defense. The midfield and attack combined in dynamic 2-3 or 3-2 ahead of the backline to periodically press a Brazilian or fall back to cut off passing lanes.
4 months ago
