Upsets, penalty shootouts and late winners have defined the first week of the 2026 World Cup knockout stage and the 32-team field has already been cut in half.
Australia and Egypt kicked off the day’s slate with a penalty shootout thriller. Emam Ashour got Egypt on the board early, but a second-half own goal knotted things up and the teams battled through extra time without another. Egypt then survived on a 4-2 margin in the shootout.
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Cape Verde‘s memorable World Cup run came to a halt despite a valiant effort against Argentina. Lionel Messi got things started with a goal in the 29th minute, but Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte leveled things in the second half. Then, in extra time, Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez blasted one past Vozinha, but Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral tied it again in the 103rd minute. That set the stage for a late winner by Argentina that was initially ruled a Cristian Romero goal before being changed to an own goal by Cape Verde.
In the nightcap, Colombia‘s Jhon Arias got his team on the board with a smooth strike in the 14th minute and Los Cafeteros held on to that lead for the duration in a 1-0 win.
The World Cup’s Round of 16 gets going Saturday with Canada vs. Morocco and France vs. Paraguay.
World Cup bracket after Friday’s games
CLICK TO ENLARGE: World Cup bracket after Friday’s games (Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)
Friday’s Round of 32 results
Yahoo Sports Staff
Yahoo Sports Staff
Jhon Arias’ 14th-minute goal was all Colombia needed in a 1-0 win over Ghana on Friday, sending the South Americans into the World Cup Round of 16 and a Tuesday matchup with Switzerland in Vancouver.
The scoreline could have been worse. Colombia dominated possession, 61% to 39%, generated 2.06 expected goals and put seven of its 18 shots on target. Ghana finished with eight shots, zero on target and just 0.26 xG, while its goalkeeper was forced into seven saves to keep the match close.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Jaminton Campaz enters the match at the 90th minute for Luis Diaz as Colombia continues to look to double its lead. Just a few minutes left for Ghana to mount a comeback.
Nick Bromberg
Colombia has another chance off the hydration break, but a cross for Diaz at the back post is just a step ahead of him.
Nick Bromberg
Ghana is still searching in the final third. It’s had a few dangerous crosses in the box throughout the game, but no one has been in the vicinity.
Nick Bromberg
As Ghana tries to push for a goal, Colombia is hitting quickly on the counter. Feels like a matter of time before a goal goes in that counts.
Nick Bromberg
Diaz gets another chance — he was onside this time — but Ati-Zigi saves his shot.
Nick Bromberg
Diaz just got ahead of the last Ghanian defender before sliding to knock the ball into the back of the net.
Nick Bromberg
Gustavo Puerta forces a fine save from Ati-Zigi off a corner. He tried what Sidny Lopes Cabral pulled off against Argentina.
Nick Bromberg
Ghana is the team on the front foot early in the second half as Colombia is content to defend with a lead.
Nick Bromberg
The Colombian captain was subbed off at halftime for Richard Rios.
Nick Bromberg
Ghana got forward more often late in the half, but the first 45 minutes were still dominated by Colombia.
Nick Bromberg
Ghana keeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi makes a fantastic diving save off a header from Johan Mohica. That could have easily been 2-0.
Nick Bromberg
Some great defending from Colombia in Ghana’s first sustained attack. Multiple blocked shots set up an attacking opportunity, but Ghana quickly gets nine men back behind the ball.
Nick Bromberg
Ghana has tried to put together a couple of moments heading toward the Colombia goal, but that’s about all you can say.
Nick Bromberg
Colombia is just passing the ball around with no real pressure from Ghana. It already has four times as many completed passes.
Nick Bromberg
Nick Bromberg
Colombia is still consistently putting pressure on Ghana.
Ghana got an early chance, but otherwise it’s been all Colombia. Given the way Ghana plays, a second goal would be a big mountain to climb.
Nick Bromberg
Nick Bromberg
It’s Jhon Arias burying a cross to the far post. The crowd here in Kansas City is at least 80% Colombia fans. And Arrowhead is rocking.
