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Ronaldo exits World Cup as Balogun controversy surfaces in knockout stages

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 8, 2026, 9:33 AM

Last updated Jul 8, 2026

Ronaldo exits World Cup as Balogun controversy surfaces in knockout stages

Summary

Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup journey ends as Portugal falls to Spain in the round of 16. The tournament's structure expands to 48 teams, featuring unexpected outcomes like Germany's penalty loss to Paraguay and Brazil's defeat by Norway. Folarin Balogun's red card controversy raises questions after FIFA's unusual suspension reversal, allowing him to play against Belgium, where the US team ultimately lost 4-1. Germany and the Netherlands both exited early, while underdog Cape Verde made headlines despite their own defeat against Argentina.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Portugal eliminated by Spain in round of 16 match.
•Germany and Netherlands both exit early from knockout stages.
•Folarin Balogun has suspension lifted to play against Belgium.
•Norway's Erling Haaland scores in upset win over Brazil.
•Cape Verde exits after historic extra-time match against Argentina.

Latest Updates

9:33 AMYahoo Sports — Ronaldo's farewell, Balogun scandal and more: the knock-outs so far

What they're saying

"
The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams saw the introduction of an extra round in the knock-out stage - and therefore an extra round of excitement, tension and drama. From big nations getting stunned to the red card controversy involving United States forward Folarin Balogun, the World Cup knock-out stages comprising the last 32 and last 16 had a little bit of everything.
— Yahoo Sports

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