CDMX begins countdown to the 2026 World Cup with inaugural events

The echo of Brazil 2014

The wound of the 2014 World Cup is still open. Just four minutes into the duel between the Netherlands and Morocco, the Monterrey Stadium erupted with a familiar scream.

“It wasn’t criminal! It wasn’t criminal! It wasn’t criminal!”

The chant made reference to Arjen Robben’s play in the round of 16 of Brazil 2014, an action that led to the elimination of Mexico. Thousands of fans joined in unison.

The surprise came when the Moroccan followers also joined in. For several seconds, the entire stadium chanted the same phrase, turning the memory into a collective protest against the Dutch team.

At minute 7, the choir returned with more force. For almost a minute, the “It wasn’t a penalty!” dominated the atmosphere, accompanied by boos towards the Netherlands as a whole.

In the run-up, a favorable environment for the Dutch was expected. However, the support changed completely. Even some fans in orange t-shirts joined in laughing.

The Dutch tried to respond with chants and the wave, but were unable to balance the support Morocco received. The traditional “Mexico, Mexico, Mexico” appeared from the stands along with the “oles.” Monterrey chose a side and, for one afternoon, the Netherlands played away from home in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

Paraguay advances in the World Cup after beating Germany in a penalty shootout

Orlando Gill knew that Paraguay were not favorites against four-time champions Germany in the round of 32. But the 26-year-old goalkeeper, in his first World Cup, beat the legendary Manuel Neuer in a shootout that put La Albirroja in the round of 16.

“It was clear that we should not speak ahead of time,” said Gill after saving two shots in the 4-3 decision in favor of the South Americans. “It has been reflected that Paraguay is ready for great things. We should not shrink it for anything before the world.”

At 1.98 meters, the San Lorenzo goalkeeper came undefeated in the group stage: 1-0 victory over Türkiye and 0-0 draw with Australia. Against Germany, the possession was overwhelming: 21 shots on goal against Paraguay’s seven.

“It was a horror movie, you had Germans everywhere,” Gill said. “Even I can’t believe it yet.”

Gill conceded a goal in regulation time: Kai Havertz’s header in the 54th minute. Another German goal was annulled in the 12th minute of extra time after a video review due to a foul by Waldemar Anton on Gill.

On penalties, Gill stopped Havertz’s first attempt by extending his right arm, then saved Nick Woltemade. Paraguay missed two in a row (Sanabria and Balbuena), but Tah sent his shot over the crossbar and José Canale beat Neuer to seal the victory.

“Now I’m going to sit down cold and analyze what we’ve achieved,” Gill said. “The team behaved quite well, we were able to hold out until 120 and on penalties luck was on our side.”

The Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro highlighted: “I am very happy for Orlando, he had difficult moments due to all the doubts after the 4-1. He is a solid goalkeeper, he is about to make the leap to playing top-level football.”

For Germany, the defeat extends a streak of disappointments: eliminations in the group stage of the last two World Cups and now in the round of 32. They have not won a direct elimination match since the 2014 final.

“They talk about expectations: it’s already been 11 or 12 years and we have fallen short,” said German coach Julian Nagelsmann. “It is not enough for German football.”

The Moroccan team secured its place in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. It did so after beating the Netherlands 3-2 in the penalty shootout, after a 1-1 draw in regular time and overtime at the Monterrey stadium.

A match defined in the details

There were no goals during the first half. The physical intensity set the pace of the match. In the 72nd minute, Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the Dutch. It seemed like victory for the Netherlands.

But in injury time, Issa Diop equalized in the 91st minute. It forced extra time. In the additional 30 minutes no one broke the tie. The key was defined from the eleven steps.

Morocco showed greater precision in the series. They won 3-2 and celebrated the classification.

What’s coming for Morocco

With this result, the African team advances to the next round. Their rival will be the Canadian team. The victory highlights the growth of Moroccan football and its ability to compete at the highest level.