FIFA WC RO16 round-up: Ronaldo, Neymar retire; Messi’s record run continues | FIFA World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 lived up to its billing, producing a mix of shock results, emotional farewells and dramatic finishes across eight knockout matches.

Morocco continued their brilliant run by dispatching co-hosts Canada, while Norway stunned five-time champions Brazil to end Neymar’s dream of lifting football’s biggest prize. Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career also came to an end after Portugal’s narrow defeat to Spain, marking the close of another legendary chapter in international football.

Elsewhere, France overcame a stubborn Paraguay, England survived a spirited Mexican challenge, Belgium ended co-hosts USA’s campaign and Argentina produced a late comeback against Egypt with Lionel Messi at the heart of the fightback.

Morocco’s fairy-tale campaign gathered further momentum as the Atlas Lions produced another disciplined display to beat co-hosts Canada 3-0 and become the first team to book a place in the quarter-finals.

Canada enjoyed vocal home support and looked to take the initiative early, but Morocco’s compact defensive shape frustrated the hosts before they struck with ruthless efficiency. Azzedine Ounahi broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, rewarding Morocco’s patient build-up play after a tightly contested first half.

France needed both patience and composure to overcome a determined Paraguay outfit that made life difficult for the 2018 world champions throughout the contest. Paraguay disrupted France’s rhythm with an aggressive pressing game and physical challenges, forcing Didier Deschamps’ men into a cagey battle rather than the free-flowing football they usually prefer.

One of the biggest upsets of the Round of 16 came in New Jersey as Norway eliminated five-time champions Brazil with a dramatic 2-1 victory. Brazil dominated possession and created the better opportunities for much of the contest but repeatedly failed to convert their chances.

England overcame a resilient Mexico side 3-2 in one of the most entertaining matches of the Round of 16 to keep their World Cup ambitions intact. Jude Bellingham produced a sensational first-half display, scoring twice in the space of two minutes to hand England a commanding advantage with goals in the 36th and 38th minutes.

Mexico responded before the break through Julián Quiñones in the 42nd minute to keep the contest alive, before Harry Kane calmly converted a penalty on the hour mark to make it 3-1.

Mexico refused to surrender and Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty in the 69th minute, ensuring a nervy finish for Gareth Southgate’s side. England ultimately held firm to progress into the last eight, where they will face giant-killers Norway in what promises to be a fascinating quarter-final encounter.

One of football’s greatest players, Cristiano Ronaldo’s final FIFA World Cup appearance ended in heartbreak as Spain snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

The Iberian rivals cancelled each other out for much of the contest, with both teams producing disciplined defensive displays and limiting clear-cut opportunities. Portugal came close on several occasions but lacked the finishing touch, while Spain remained patient despite prolonged spells without creating a breakthrough.

Just when extra time appeared inevitable, substitute Mikel Merino emerged as the hero, scoring in the first minute of stoppage time (90+1′) to break Portuguese hearts. The late strike ended Ronaldo’s dream of lifting the World Cup, bringing the curtain down on one of the greatest international careers in football history.

In one of the most talked-about games before kick-off, Belgium produced one of the most commanding displays of the Round of 16, brushing aside co-hosts USA 4-1 to prove their credentials as genuine title contenders.

The visitors made a blistering start, with Charles De Ketelaere opening the scoring in the ninth minute before doubling Belgium’s advantage in the 33rd after Malik Tillman had briefly restored parity for the hosts with a well-taken goal in the 31st minute.

Defending champions Argentina produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of the tournament, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 and keep their title defence alive.

Egypt stunned Lionel Scaloni’s side early as Yasser Ibrahim gave them the lead in the 15th minute before Mostafa Ziko doubled the advantage in the 67th, leaving Argentina staring at a shock exit. With time running out, the holders finally sparked into life.

Defender Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute, shifting the momentum firmly in Argentina’s favour. Four minutes later, Lionel Messi delivered yet another decisive moment on the World Cup stage, levelling the contest in the 83rd minute and extending his extraordinary scoring run in the tournament.

The final Round of 16 fixture proved to be the tightest contest of the knockout stage, with Switzerland and Colombia unable to find a breakthrough across 120 minutes before the Swiss prevailed 4-3 in the tournament’s first penalty shootout. Both teams defended resolutely and created only a handful of meaningful chances in a tense tactical battle where neither side was willing to overcommit.

Switzerland struck first in the shootout through Granit Xhaka before Juan Fernando Quintero responded for Colombia. Zeki Amdouni converted his effort, but Davinson Sánchez missed to hand Switzerland an early advantage. Manuel Akanji then failed to capitalise after missing his kick, allowing Jáminton Campaz to level the contest. Cedric Itten restored Switzerland’s lead before Cucho Hernández missed under pressure.