The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage continues on Monday with three round of 32 fixtures, including a highly anticipated match between Brazil and Japan. This encounter is set to take place at Houston Stadium in Texas, US, with kick-off scheduled for 12 noon (17:00 GMT).

Brazil enters the match as a dominant force in past meetings against Japan, having secured 11 victories in their 14 previous encounters. They have suffered only one loss to Japan historically. Their sole prior World Cup meeting occurred 20 years ago, where Brazil achieved a 4-1 victory.

However, Japan approaches this fixture with considerable confidence, especially after ending Brazil’s long unbeaten run against them. In October 2025, Japan staged a dramatic 3-2 comeback win in Tokyo, overturning a two-goal deficit in a friendly match. This result highlights Japan’s potential to challenge the five-time champions.

According to pre-match simulations, Brazil is considered the favourite to advance. An analysis of 25,000 simulations showed Brazil winning in 57.3 percent of cases, while Japan was victorious in 19.7 percent. The remaining 23.0 percent of simulations resulted in a draw after 90 minutes, indicating the possibility of extra time or a penalty shootout.

Japan’s recent form has been strong, with only two losses in their last 28 international matches. Their tactical approach, characterised by pace and intensity on the counter-attack, could pose problems for a Brazil side that is reportedly still refining its optimal formation.

Key Players to Watch

Several players are expected to make a significant impact in the Brazil vs Japan match. For Japan, Ayase Ueda has been in impressive form, scoring the 71st-minute winner against Brazil last October. He also contributed two goals and an assist in Japan’s matchday-two victory over Tunisia at the World Cup. Another Japanese player, wing-back Keito Nakamura, scored against the Netherlands on matchday one and has registered five shots in three World Cup starts.

Ritsu Doan, Japan’s winger, is also a player to watch, having accumulated eight yellow cards for club and country in the 2025-26 season, including bookings against Brazil and Scotland. His aggressive play could be a factor in the game. Japan’s offensive capabilities were evident in the group stage, where they scored seven goals in three matches.

For Brazil, Vinicius Junior has been a standout performer in Group C, scoring four goals from eight shots on target against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. His ability to create scoring opportunities makes him a significant threat. Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has also been instrumental, setting up three of Brazil’s seven goals in the group stage and providing seven assists for Newcastle in the 2025-26 season.

Veteran right-back Danilo will be crucial for Brazil’s defence. He committed five fouls in three Group C matches against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, and will face dangerous wide players from Japan. His defensive contributions will be vital in containing Japan’s attacking threats.

Other Knockout Stage Matches

In addition to the Brazil vs Japan fixture, Monday’s schedule includes two other round of 32 ties. Germany will face Paraguay at Boston Stadium in Massachusetts, US, with kick-off at 4:30 pm (20:30 GMT). Germany, who lifted the trophy in 2014, are looking to advance beyond the group stage for the first time since then. The Opta supercomputer gives Germany a 54.7 percent chance of winning within 90 minutes.

The day’s final match will see the Netherlands take on Morocco at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico, starting at 7 pm (01:00 GMT on Tuesday). The Netherlands have a strong historical record against African opposition at the World Cup, remaining unbeaten in six such matches. The Opta supercomputer predicts the Netherlands have a 47.6 percent chance of progressing.

The knockout stage continues to unfold, with teams vying for a spot in the last 16 of the tournament.

Source: livescore.com

The post Brazil to face Japan in World Cup round of 32 clash appeared first on NewsGB.

Argentina secures Group J win

Argentina concluded its World Cup 2026 Group J fixtures by facing Jordan. The match saw Argentina take an early lead with goals from Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez. However, Mousa Al-Tamari of Jordan managed to halve the deficit in the second half.

Lionel Messi, who started on the bench for Argentina, was introduced into the game in the 60th minute. His entry followed a period where Jordan had shown increased pressure, particularly in the second half.

Key player performances and substitutions

Giovani Lo Celso, a midfielder for Real Betis, made a notable impact in his first World Cup appearance. He was central to Argentina‘s play, dictating the tempo from midfield and scoring a goal from a free kick he had earned. His performance was highlighted as a strong case for inclusion by manager Lionel Scaloni, who made several changes to the squad for this match.

Another player who stood out was Giuliano Simeone, son of Diego Simeone, the coach of Atletico Madrid. Giuliano Simeone, currently playing for Atletico Madrid, was noted for his dynamic runs during the game. He was later substituted in the 71st minute for Valentin Barco, marking Scaloni‘s fourth change of the match.

Jordan also made changes at halftime, bringing on Mousa Al-Tamari and Mahmoud Al-Mardi. Al-Tamari, sometimes referred to as the “Jordanian Messi,” was instrumental in Jordan‘s goal, sliding the ball home after a low cross from Ihsan Haddad. This goal marked Jordan‘s first conceded goal in this World Cup, and they have now scored in all three of their group games.

The match also saw a moment of concern for Lo Celso, who appeared to suffer an ankle injury. Despite this, he returned to his feet and continued playing, though he later made way for another player. This incident brought back memories of his absence from the 2022 World Cup squad due to injury.

Group J implications and other match details

With Argentina already confirmed as group winners, the match against Jordan had no bearing on their progression to the round of 32, where they are set to play Cape Verde. Jordan, making their World Cup debut, had already been eliminated before this fixture.

In the other Group J match, Algeria and Austria were level at 2-2. Austria, with a superior goal difference, needed only a draw to secure second place in the group. A draw would also be sufficient for Algeria to advance to the round of 32, while a defeat would result in their elimination.

Both Group J matches kicked off simultaneously at 03:00 BST. Argentina‘s starting lineup featured several changes, with only Emi Martinez and Lautaro Martinez retaining their places from the previous round. Lionel Messi was among nine changes made by Argentina‘s manager.

Jordan‘s lineup also saw two changes, with Mousa Al-Tamari initially benched. Riyad Mahrez started for Algeria, while Rayan Ait-Nouri was among the substitutes. Former Stoke City and West Ham United player Marko Arnautovic started for Austria.

The match saw Argentina maintain significant possession, holding 74 per cent in the second half, despite not registering a shot on target after halftime until later in the game. Jordan‘s Al-Arab received a booking in the 65th minute for a late challenge on Alexis Mac Allister.

Jordan‘s goal against Argentina marked a significant moment in their World Cup campaign.

Source: nytimes.com

The post Argentina secures Group J win appeared first on NewsGB.