World Cup night of shock: Brazil's last‑minute heroics and Dutch exit

Gabriel Martinelli's 95th‑minute strike gave Brazil a dramatic win over Japan in the World Cup knockout stage, turning a dead‑locked match into a victory in the final minute of extra time. The goal, scored in minute 95, added Brazil to the tournament's history books as the latest team to clinch a knockout‑stage win in the last seconds. Manuel Neuer, aged 40, appeared in a yellow kit for his fourth World Cup match against Paraguay, after previously wearing green, blue and orange. The goalkeeper conceded a goal, matching his earlier concessions against Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador, and Germany were eliminated in the ensuing penalty shootout. Neuer's appearance marked his 23rd World Cup match, surpassing legends Lothar Matthäus and Miroslav Klose, who each held 22 matches for Germany. The FIFA body selects the goalkeeper's outfit colour for each match, explaining the change to yellow for this game.

Morocco survives the heat, the pain, and the penalties: the Netherlands crashes out after a dramatic World Cup thriller.

The Netherlands suffered a penalty‑shootout defeat to Morocco after an emotionally charged goal by Cody Gakpo had briefly put them ahead. The defeat ended the Dutch team's World Cup campaign. Eden Hazard, a 126‑cap Belgian international, posted a playful video forecasting Belgium as World Cup champions on 19 July. In the clip he eliminates countries until only France and Belgium remain, then declares his hope for Belgium with a laugh.

Morocco survive Dutch torment to reach Round of 16 in Monterrey

With Germany and the Netherlands out, Belgium remain in contention and have reportedly used AI to prepare for potential penalty shootouts. Their next opponents after the group stage could include France, according to the tournament schedule.