BOSTON — Shock results are a hallmark of the World Cup, and the 2026 tournament has not disappointed. From Cape Verde‘s surprising draw against Spain to Ecuador‘s thrilling last-minute goal against Germany, and Paraguay‘s penalty shootout triumph over the four-time champions in the round of 32, this World Cup has already given us unforgettable moments.
For some teams, a single remarkable match can transform their tournament from disappointment to triumph.
After a frustrating draw with Curaçao, Ecuador’s coach, Sebastián Beccacece, faced an upset fan confronting his family. Just days later, he was leaping into the stands to celebrate with them after Ecuador’s victory over Germany secured their advancement to the round of 32.
Paraguayan fans at Boston Stadium on Monday will cherish the memories of Julio Enciso’s goal and José Canale’s decisive penalty, overshadowing their initial heavy defeat to the United States.
The significance of their win was such that Paraguay declared Tuesday a national holiday. Coach Gustavo Alfaro and his squad will now be aiming to pull off more upsets, starting with a potential clash against France in the round of 16.
Gunnar Halle, who played for Norway during their shocking upset of a star-studded Brazil squad in 1998, emphasizes the importance of self-belief in achieving unexpected victories.
“You must believe you can achieve something,” Halle explained to ESPN. “We had proven we could compete against major teams, and our playing style suited us that day.”
“The atmosphere within our team was that we could accomplish something, even if no one outside believed it,” he added.
– World Cup match schedule: All fixtures, results, features
– Overreactions to the R32 bracket: USA has an easy run?
– Marcotti: Best XI of the World Cup group stage
In the 1994 World Cup, Andy Townsend was part of the Republic of Ireland team that surprised heavyweight Italy with a 1-0 victory. He recalls that an early goal by Ray Houghton and strong defensive play against Roberto Baggio were pivotal to their win.
“Scoring first in such matches is crucial,” Townsend told ESPN. “It puts the other team under immense pressure. I could see their coach, Arrigo Sacchi, pacing anxiously along the sideline. It was evident they were unsettled by our lead.”
Baggio, who scored five goals in that tournament, faced an “inspired” Paul McGrath, as Townsend describes. “Though Baggio was among the world’s top strikers at the time, Paul had perhaps his best performance wearing an Ireland shirt that day,” he said.
Frustrating an opponent’s star player can significantly impact a team’s chances of causing an upset, and sometimes prior knowledge can provide an advantage.
Argentina were favorites in both the 2014 and 2018 finals, partly due to Lionel Messi, who was in exceptional form. However, Croatia’s coach Zlatko Dalić had crucial insights from Messi’s Barcelona teammate Ivan Rakitić while preparing for their group match.
In a crucial pre-match analysis with Dalić, Rakitić and Luka Modrić, they devised a strategy to neutralize Messi’s influence.
“Two days before the match, we conducted thorough analysis — myself, Luka, and the coach,” Rakitić shared with ESPN. “We discussed both our strategies and how to handle them. We understood exactly what we needed to do defensively and offensively.”
“Our goal was to limit Leo’s impact and draw him deeper into our half to receive the ball.”
This strategy was effective. Messi was kept under wraps, and Croatia went on to shock Argentina with a decisive 3-0 win before ultimately reaching the final.
0:21
Paraguay erupts after eliminating Germany on penalties
“We were fully prepared,” Rakitic recalled, who contributed a goal to their success. “Our organization was spot-on, and our attacking play was formidable. It remains one of the best performances in the history of that Croatian team.”
However, suffering a surprising defeat in the group stage doesn’t necessarily spell the end of a team’s World Cup ambitions. For instance, in the 2022 World Cup, Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in their opener but went on to win the tournament. Spain suffered a loss to Switzerland in 2010 and still lifted the trophy that year.
Defending champions Argentina faced a surprising loss to Cameroon in their opening match of the 1990 tournament yet managed to reach the final, losing to West Germany. Similarly, in 1998, Brazil faced defeat against Halle’s Norway.
In 1994, Italy also bounced back from a defeat to the Republic of Ireland, reaching the final where Baggio missed the decisive penalty in a shootout against Brazil.
While Ecuador, Paraguay, and Cape Verde will likely continue as underdogs in the tournament, Townsend believes their past achievements make them more formidable. Knowing that they’ve already defied expectations boosts their confidence.
Ecuador will again be seen as underdogs when they face Mexico in Mexico City in the round of 32 on Tuesday, but Townsend believes their recent victory over Germany and Cape Verde’s performance against Spain will serve as motivation. “Having momentum is vital going into significant matches,” he stated. “After participating in Euro 1988 and World Cup 1990, we began to realize our worth as a good team.”
“We entered the contest against Italy knowing we had to play well and that things needed to align in our favor,” he concluded.
According to Halle, a dash of “extra luck” can also make a significant difference in pulling off a World Cup shock, while Rakitic referred to it as World Cup “magic.”
The players of Paraguay, Ecuador, and Cape Verde have already cemented their place in history, while other teams still have the chance to create unforgettable legacies.
In the round of 32, potential matchups include DR Congo facing England, or Austria going up against Spain. Paraguay’s triumph over Germany has set a high benchmark for the rest of the tournament, proving that in a World Cup, surprises can emerge at any moment.
Not every team remaining has realistic aspirations of winning the tournament. For many players, the true prize is crafting a memory that solidifies their status as national heroes, offering an unforgettable experience for generations of football fans.
Recalling the incredible celebrations following their 1994 victory over Italy, Townsend fondly remembers the sense of camaraderie with fans. “We joined Ireland fans for BBQs and drinks in the carpark at Giants Stadium, and we spent hours celebrating before heading back to the hotel,” he reminisced.
Even 32 years later, Townsend and his teammates still encounter fans reminiscing about that iconic match.
“Absolutely,” he affirmed. “In those pivotal moments, you don’t recognize how profoundly they impact people’s lives until years later when you hear their stories and memories. It’s a privilege to have been part of that.”