The Short Version
June 30 delivered the round of 32’s next big casualty: the Netherlands, winners of Group F, are out — held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco at Estadio BBVA and beaten 3-2 in the penalty shootout. It is the second European contender in two days to fall from twelve yards, and it sends Morocco into the last 16 as Africa’s standard-bearers. Elsewhere the results were cleaner: Norway edged Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 at AT&T Stadium to carry Erling Haaland into the next round, and France brushed Sweden aside 3-0 at MetLife Stadium in the most emphatic performance of the day. Morocco, Norway and France go through; the Netherlands, Côte d’Ivoire and Sweden are out.
If June 29 produced the tournament’s first shock with Germany’s exit, June 30 doubled down. A second Group winner has gone out on penalties, another set of favourites has been sent home, and the last-16 bracket is starting to look very different from the one many predicted. Three ties, three teams through — and one of the pre-tournament dark horses on a plane home.
Morocco knock out the Netherlands on penalties
The headline belongs to Morocco. The Group C runners-up held the Netherlands — winners of Group F and, for many, a genuine outside bet for the title — to a 1-1 draw across ninety minutes and extra time at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, then held their nerve to win the shootout 3-2, as the result confirmed.
It is a result that will resonate well beyond this tie. Morocco arrived at the knockouts as the second-placed side in their group, but they carried the memory of a deep run at the last World Cup, and there is a growing sense that this is a team built for exactly these nights — organised, fearless, and ice-cold when the game reaches twelve yards. For the Netherlands, who had come through a tough Group F as winners, it is a bitter and abrupt ending. This is now the second heavyweight in two days to fall on spot-kicks, after Germany’s exit to Paraguay the day before.
Norway carry Haaland through against Côte d’Ivoire
The day’s second tie was tighter than the scoreline suggests. Norway beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington — the same ground that will host Australia against Egypt — to reach the last 16, with Erling Haaland once again the difference-maker his team leans on.
Norway came through as the runners-up in Group I, behind France, and their knockout campaign now continues into the last 16. Côte d’Ivoire, the Group E runners-up, pushed them and had their moments, but Norway had enough. It means both sides from the Group I decider we covered — France and Norway — have now safely negotiated the round of 32 on the same day.
France cruise past Sweden
France produced the most convincing performance of the three. The Group I winners beat Sweden 3-0 at MetLife Stadium, according to the day’s coverage, a result that never looked in doubt once they found their rhythm. Sweden, who had qualified as one of the best third-placed teams, could not live with France’s quality and pace.
It is the kind of statement the pre-tournament favourites needed. France now move into the last 16 with a clean sheet and momentum, their place secured in the bracket, and they look every bit the contenders their squad suggested.
Who’s through to the last 16
Three more places in the last 16 were settled on June 30:
- Morocco beat the Netherlands 1-1 (3-2 on penalties) — Netherlands out
- Norway beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 — Côte d’Ivoire out
- France beat Sweden 3-0 — Sweden out
Two of the day’s losers were among the more fancied names in the draw, and both the Netherlands’ and Sweden’s exits reshape the bottom half of the bracket. Morocco’s penalty win, in particular, cracks open a section of the draw that looked heavy with European contenders. The round of 32 continues, with more ties — including Australia against Egypt — still to come.
Frequently asked questions
What were the June 30 World Cup results? Morocco drew 1-1 with the Netherlands and won 3-2 on penalties; Norway beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1; and France beat Sweden 3-0. Morocco, Norway and France advanced to the last 16.
How did Morocco beat the Netherlands? Morocco held the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw over ninety minutes and extra time at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, then won the penalty shootout 3-2 to reach the last 16.
Why is Morocco beating the Netherlands an upset? The Netherlands won Group F and were considered dark-horse title contenders, while Morocco qualified as the Group C runners-up. Morocco’s knockout pedigree and composure in the shootout saw them through.
What was the France vs Sweden score? France beat Sweden 3-0 at MetLife Stadium, the most emphatic result of the day, to reach the last 16 as Group I winners.
Did Norway and Haaland go through? Yes. Norway beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington to reach the last 16, with Erling Haaland leading the line.
How many favourites have now been eliminated in the round of 32? Two heavyweights have gone out on penalties in two days: Germany (to Paraguay on June 29) and the Netherlands (to Morocco on June 30).
Which teams were eliminated on June 30? The Netherlands, Côte d’Ivoire and Sweden were all knocked out of the round of 32.
What round-of-32 ties are still to come? Further round-of-32 ties remain, including Australia against Egypt at AT&T Stadium on July 3.
