Morocco ended Canada’s historic World Cup run in Houston, cruising to a 3-0 victory in the Round of 16. After a goalless first half, Azzedine Ounahi struck twice — first with a sublime free-kick routine finish in the 50th minute, then a second following a defensive lapse — before Soufiane Rahimi, who had come on for the injured Ismael Saibari, wrapped up the win deep into stoppage time, finishing off a brilliant Brahim Diaz assist. The result marks Morocco’s second consecutive World Cup quarter-final, and they now await the winner of France vs Paraguay in Boston. Canada, ranked 30th in the world, produced their best-ever tournament run before bowing out to the continent’s giant-slayers.

Egypt made history at Dallas Stadium, defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Round of 32 — their first-ever World Cup knockout victory. Emam Ashour opened the scoring in the 13th minute before a Mohamed Hany own goal levelled proceedings. With the match deadlocked after 120 minutes, Egypt held their nerve in the shootout as two Australian centre-backs missed, while a creative penalty from captain Mohamed Salah — who was moved to tears after the final whistle — sealed a landmark result. Egypt now face the winners of Argentina vs Cape Verde in Atlanta on July 7th.

Morocco dominated with 70% possession throughout the Round of 32 clash but trailed after Cody Gakpo’s 72nd-minute strike, before defender Issa Diop rose highest in the first minute of stoppage time to head home a stunning equalizer from a Chemsdine Talbi cross, sending the match to extra time. Despite further chances for Soufiane Rahimi and Neil El Aynaoui, Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen produced a string of world-class saves to force penalties. Yassine Bounou then became the hero in goal, saving the Netherlands’ crucial fourth spot-kick, before Ismael Saibari coolly slotted home the winning penalty to send Morocco through 3-2 on spot-kicks and into a last-16 showdown with co-hosts Canada.

Ousmane Dembélé delivered one of the performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as France demolished Norway 4-1 in a dominant Group D display. The Paris Saint-Germain winger was simply unplayable, tormenting the Norwegian backline with explosive pace, razor-sharp dribbling, and clinical finishing. Dembélé opened the scoring with a stunning low drive in the 18th minute, before doubling the lead with a perfectly placed curler from 20 yards. His third — a blistering counter-attack finish — sealed the hat-trick. Kylian Mbappé added a fourth with a composed penalty in the 78th minute.

Lionel Messi made history on June 22, 2026, scoring a brace against Austria in Arlington, Texas to become the greatest World Cup scorer of all time with 18 goals — surpassing Miroslav Klose’s record of 16. Two days before his 39th birthday, the Argentine captain delivered a masterclass, first breaking the record in the 38th minute with a sublime left-foot finish, then adding a second in stoppage time.