The 2026 FIFA World Cup’s knockout stage arrived on June 29, and it immediately delivered the kind of chaos that makes this tournament the most-watched event on the planet. Three matches, three Man of the Match awards, three wildly different stories. Casemiro reminded the world he’s still Casemiro. Orlando Gill went from relative unknown to Paraguayan legend in 120 minutes. And Issa Diop buried a penalty that sent the Netherlands packing.
Casemiro turns back the clock against Japan
Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Japan was the most straightforward result of the day. Casemiro found the net in the 56th minute, scoring what proved to be the decisive goal to send Brazil through to the round of 16. Casemiro’s MOTM award was as much about leadership as it was about the goal itself.
Orlando Gill becomes Paraguay’s penalty shootout hero
Paraguay and Germany played to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes, which meant penalties. Gill saved two German penalties in the shootout. Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties, eliminating the four-time World Cup champions in the round of 32.
