The first set of Round of 32 matches has concluded in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off the knockout stage of the tournament, and what a phenomenal start it was.
Many fans around the globe shared their views on it, including renowned NBA analyst Bill Simmons.
Bill Simmons reacts to Day 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout games
Simmons is best known for his unfiltered takes on NBA teams, primarily the Boston Celtics. However, the World Cup has turned him into a fan of soccer.
Evidently, this led to Simmons sharing his honest views on Day 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout games on X.
“Just a phenomenal World Cup day. 10 out of 10!” Simmons wrote on X.
For context, powerhouses like Brazil, Germany, and the Netherlands played today, but the results weren’t what most fans expected.
Germany and the Netherlands are out of the World Cup
The day kicked off with a close game between Canada and South Africa, with the former walking away with a 1-0 win, thanks to a late 92nd-minute goal from Stephen Eustaquio.
Next, Brazil and Japan produced a high-intensity matchup, where the two sides remained in a deadlock until Gabriel Martinelli’s 96th-minute winner sent his side through to the next round.
Most expected a similar result for Germany, but the four-time World Cup winners were knocked out as Paraguay handed them their first penalty shootout loss in tournament history.
A similar fate awaited the Netherlands, who were once again eliminated from the competition via a penalty shootout, this time by Morocco.
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