Group stage warning
The signs were there before the knockouts even began. Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 in their final group fixture, a result that meant little for already-qualified Germany but hinted at growing South American confidence.
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Argentina beat Austria 2-0, Brazil beat Scotland 3-0, and Colombia held Portugal to a goalless draw on their way to topping Group K outright, small but telling markers of the continental shift building heading into the knockouts.
π€―π South America vs. Europe at the World Cup:
β π΅πΎ Paraguay 1-0 Turkey πΉπ·
β π¦π· Argentina 2-0 Austria π¦πΉ
β π§π· Brazil 3-0 Scotland π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ
β πͺπ¨ Ecuador 2-1 Germany π©πͺ
βπΊπΎ Uruguay 0-1 Spain πͺπΈ
βπ¨π΄ Colombia 0-0 Portugal π΅πΉ
β π΅πΎ Paraguay 1(4)-(3)1 Germany π©πͺ pic.twitter.com/ZhucRqRUR5β Football Tweet β½ξ¨ (@Footballtweet) June 29, 2026
Paraguayβs knockout blow
After edging Turkey 1-0 in the Round of 32, Paraguay produced the shock of the tournament, eliminating four-time champions Germany 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Becoming the lowest-ranked nation ever to knock the Germans out of a World Cup, the first genuine South America versus Europe knockout result of the tournament.
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Whatβs next?
Paraguay face the winner of France versus Sweden in the Round of 16 on 4 July. Brazil could renew the rivalry against Norway on 5 July, while Colombia may meet Switzerland in the next round if the Swiss overcome Algeria.
Photo: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
