image: Morocco becomes the first African team into the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup credits: FUFA, X
After the group stages, African teams scored a combined total of 32 goals to progress to the Round of 32. With Tunisia already eliminated, 9 African teams were left – dreaming of global glory.
Bafana Bafana were the first of the nine nations to feature in the Round of 32. The 1996 AFCON champions faced co-hosts Canada at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The decisive moment of the game came when Canadian midfielder, Stephen Eustaquio chested the ball down and volleyed a precise, low strike into the bottom-left corner in stoppage time. South-African fans watched helplessly as their World Cup dreams were dashed in the 92nd minute – What a cruel way to lose!
The North American experience for Bafana Bafana draws the curtains on a successful Hugo Broos era. The Belgian tactician not only revitalised South African football but also introduced the world to its future – Mbekezeli “TLB” Mbokazi.
In Monterrey Stadium the following day, the Round of 32 drama heightened.
Morocco’s central defender Issa Diop was the latest star to score goal in the dying minutes of a match. Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 72nd minute – what a moving moment – he immediately dropped to his knees and pointed to the sky to honour his late son, Elijah Raphael Gakpo. In a powerful moment of unity, his teammates rushed over to embrace him.
image: heartbreak for Bafana as Canada ends their historic world cup run credits: OTP on the pitch
With both teams deadlocked at 1-1 in extra-time, the lottery of a penalty shootout followed.
The Netherlands had lost 3 crucial penalty shootouts in their FIFA World Cup history prior to this match. In 1998, The Dutch lost to Brazil on penalties in the semi-finals following a 1-1 draw. In 2014, the Orange Army lost to Argentina in the Quarter-finals. In 2022, they were eliminated by Argentina once again after a 2-2 draw in regular time, so it was hardly surprising that history would repeat itself at the Estadio Monterrey stadium. Ismael Saibari once again turned out to be Morocco’s hero and scored the winning penalty.
It was particularly impressive how the Atlas Lions neutralized such an elite attack in normal time. The Orange army entered the knockout round as one of the tournament’s most lethal sides, having scored 10 goals in the group stage.
Congratulations to the Atlas Lions!
Morocco will face Canada next on the 4th July.
Coach Mohammed Ouahbi is certainly cooking something and it smells historic.
