The Short Version
The round of 32 produced its first major casualty on June 29, and it was a big one: Germany are out. Paraguay held the Group E winners to a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium and then won the penalty shootout 4-3 to reach the last 16 — one of the upsets of the tournament. In the night’s other tie, Brazil edged Japan 2-1 at NRG Stadium, surviving a real test from Asia’s last traditional heavyweight to go through. Paraguay and Brazil advance; Germany and Japan go home.
The knockout rounds were always going to claim a heavyweight sooner rather than later. Few expected it this soon, or this name. June 29 delivered the tournament’s first genuine shock and a hard-fought survival, and the shape of the last 16 sharpened considerably.
How the night unfolded:
| Stage | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | Germany vs Paraguay | 1–1 (Paraguay win 4-3 on penalties) |
| Round of 32 | Brazil vs Japan | 2–1 |
Paraguay stun Germany from the spot
Germany came into the round of 32 as Group E winners and among the tournament favourites. They leave it after ninety minutes — and then thirty more — could not separate them from Paraguay, and a penalty shootout did. The sides traded a goal apiece across normal and extra time before Paraguay held their nerve from twelve yards to win the shootout 4-3 at Gillette Stadium, as the day’s coverage captured.
It is a result that reshapes the bracket. Germany, one of the most decorated nations in the game, are out at the first knockout hurdle, while Paraguay — through to the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams — march on to the last 16, as the bracket now shows. Knockout football does not care for reputations; it cares for nerve, and on the night Paraguay had more of it.
Brazil survive Japan’s fight
If Germany’s exit was the shock, Brazil’s night was the test many had anticipated. The five-time world champions beat Japan 2-1 at NRG Stadium, but they were made to work for it by an Asian side that refused to fold — exactly the contest our preview had framed, and almost exactly the 2-1 scoreline it leaned toward.
Japan, who had carried the hopes of a continent into the knockouts after South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia all went out, pushed Brazil hard and had their moments. But Brazil’s forward quality told in the end, and the favourites are through, the result confirmed. Japan’s exit leaves Australia as the only Asian side still standing, with their own round-of-32 tie to come.
Who’s through to the last 16
Two more teams have their last-16 places: Paraguay, the night’s unlikely qualifier, and Brazil, the favourites who survived. Germany and Japan are out. After the round of 32 opened a day earlier with Canada’s win, June 29 gave the knockouts their first true shock — and a reminder that, from here, no reputation guarantees a thing.
The bracket is filling, the favourites are being tested, and the first big name has already fallen. The round of 32 has plenty more to give.
Frequently asked questions
Which matches were played on June 29, 2026? Two round-of-32 ties: Germany drew 1-1 with Paraguay and lost 4-3 on penalties at Gillette Stadium, while Brazil beat Japan 2-1 at NRG Stadium.
How were Germany eliminated? Germany and Paraguay finished 1-1 after extra time, and Paraguay won the penalty shootout 4-3 to knock the Group E winners out of the round of 32.
Did Brazil beat Japan? Yes. Brazil beat Japan 2-1 at NRG Stadium to reach the last 16, though Japan pushed them hard before going out.
Who has advanced to the round of 16 from June 29? Paraguay and Brazil both reached the last 16. Germany and Japan were eliminated.
Why is Germany’s exit a surprise? Germany won Group E and were among the tournament favourites, so their elimination by Paraguay — who qualified as one of the best third-placed teams — in the first knockout round is one of the upsets of the tournament.
What does Japan’s exit mean for Asia? Japan had been the last of Asia’s traditional powers in the knockouts after South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia went out. With Japan eliminated, Australia are the only Asian Football Confederation side still in the tournament.
Who do Paraguay and Brazil play next? Both advance to the round of 16, where they will face the winners of other round-of-32 ties as the knockout bracket is completed.
Was the Brazil result expected? Brazil were strong favourites and a narrow win was the likeliest outcome; the 2-1 scoreline matched many pre-match predictions, with Japan making it a genuine contest.
About the author: James O’Connor is investigative football correspondent at Touchline Global, the London-based independent football journalism outlet founded in 2012 and specializing in FIFA governance, commercial reporting, and football’s political economy. O’Connor has covered every FIFA World Cup since Brazil 2014. Contact: james.oconnor@touchline.global · LinkedIn: /in/james-oconnor-touchline · X: @JamesOConnorTG
