Offside | World Cup 2026: Can Japan comprehensively defeat Brazil in the last 32? |Football News

Hello, welcome to Offside: Your daily recap and World Cup expectations. The strangest thing about Day 18 is that it only has one game, which would make cricket fans feel like they were watching the first round of an International Cricket Federation tournament if the Canadian Cricket Association hadn’t been disbanded due to gang corruption.

Action recap: Canada 1-0 South Africa

In cricket, there is an oft-repeated phrase: the intention is there. Canada had more intent and South Africa used it to find extra time and penalties, but Stephan Eustaquio had other ideas. Alphonso Davies proved the difference when he came on in the 75th minute, instantly lifting the mood like maple syrup on pancakes. The Canadian team advances to the top 32, where they will face the weak Netherlands or Morocco.

Match day: Brazil vs Japan

June 29, 10:30 pm (US Standard Time)In Kill Bill, Hattori Hanzo makes a blade for his bride and tells her, “If you meet God on your journey, God will be chopped off.” The Japanese team looked sharp, like a samurai sword or a shogun about to save the kingdom, but now they were facing Brazil’s soccer gods, even though the gods had been missing since 2002.

warrior watchBrazil’s Vinicius Junior looked on fire, like he was fueled by a thousand racist chants. With another star player Kubo injured, Japan will look to Kamada Daichi for inspiration.battle planJapan will try to make this a game of discipline, quick passing and sudden breakthroughs. Without Kubo Takehide, Kamada Daichi will have to be the brains between midfield and attack, with Junya Ito providing them with a wide outlet.

Brazil’s plan was simpler and scarier: get the ball to Vinicius Junior before Japan could settle. If Japan loses cheaply, Brazil will punish a passing error.The key battle was the Japanese team’s neat ball control against the Brazilian team’s violence in the open court. Japan needs rhythm. Brazil needs grass. Whoever gets his way controls the game.table talkJapan has beaten Germany, Spain and England in recent years and even beat Brazil in a friendly before. Smart money would be on Brazil, but Japan is a country that keeps bouncing back from impossible odds. If they could survive an atomic blast, they could unsettle the samba boys.

Match day: Germany vs Paraguay

June 30, 2:00 a.m. (US Standard Time)Germany arrived with four World Cup titles, a squad full of shiny moving parts and a nagging feeling that something in the machine was still malfunctioning. Paraguay is like Billy Butcher with a crowbar, but with the undying belief that he can still kill that Homelander bastard.warrior watchGermany will be counting on Jamal Musiala to work his magic, as even the best of German machines need someone who can get over the line. Paraguay got back Miguel Almiron, who surprised the team with his pace.battle planGermany needed the ball, pace and enough space for Musiala and Florian Wirtz to eventually turn promise into punishment. If they score early, this could become an exercise for the German government. Paraguay’s plan was simpler: clog up the middle, slow down the tempo of the game, win fouls and make Germany impatient. Then release Almiron into space and see if panic spreads faster than the pass. The key battle was the chaotic German control of Paraguay. Germany needs rhythm. Paraguay needs dirt. Whoever gets his way controls the game.table talkSmart money will be on Germany because history, talent and common sense all show it. But Paraguay always fights. Expect them to be the wrench in the job.

Match Day Action: Netherlands to morocco

June 30, 6:30 AM (IST)Johan Cruyff’s Total Football is now a museum exhibit, with better lighting than the current Dutch defence. The Oranje are still dangerous, but they are no longer as well-liked as they once were. Meanwhile, Morocco has gone from plucky underdogs to one of Africa’s real heavyweights.To paraphrase Rick Bryan: Of all the knockout matches in previous World Cups, the Netherlands have to go into this one.warrior watchThe Netherlands will look to Cody Gakpo’s edge and Virgil van Dijk’s composure. Another emotional thread is Gakpo’s loss of the baby. Morocco will look to Achraf Hakimi’s thrust, Brahim Diaz’s invention, and Ismael Saibari’s nuisance value to disrupt Europe’s sleep cycle.

battle planThe Dutchman wants the ball, width and enough attacking flow to make this look like a football philosophy again. The problem is, they score freely but also always leave the door ajar. Morocco’s plan was to stay compact, attack through Hakimi and Diaz, and make every Dutch mistake feel like a border incident. The key battle is Netherlands’ control over Morocco’s nerves. Holland needs rhythm. Morocco needs a clean break and a group of people to start believing again that 2022 will come.table talkMorocco will always have Qatar, but they want more than just memories. The Netherlands will always have Cruyff, the orange jersey and enough talented defenders to build a dam, it’s just that the Dutch dam is still leaking. If Hakimi and Diaz find a breakthrough, the Oranje’s run could be over. Sam, play it again: football, heartbreak and the Moroccan fightback.