Cape Verde’s dream, Haaland’s Stetson, Ronaldo’s tribute: World Cup Last 32 moments that stole the show

LOS ANGELES, July 4 — The last 32 of the World Cup produced some memorable matches and poignant moments.

Here are just a few:

Islanders’ pride

Cape Verde’s epic but ultimately fruitless struggle against reigning champions Argentina will go down in World Cup history as the nation of just over 500,000 people almost felled mighty Lionel Messi. As the banner held up by one Cape Verde fan in Miami said: “Small Island. Big Dreams. Refuse to Lose.”

Norway forward Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Cote D’Ivoire at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas on June 30, 2026. — AFP pic

Big player, big hat

Erling Haaland scored Norway’s winner against Ivory Coast in Dallas and after the final whistle donned a big white stetson. Judging by his social media, the 25-year-old has enjoyed every moment of his time in the United States – and with Brazil up next he’s not finished yet.

Take Me Home

Once the United States had wrapped up a hard-fought 2-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina, John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” rang around Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Team USA has its anthem…

Teammates’ tribute

On a sweltering night in Toronto, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal saw off Croatia in a World Cup classic to reach the last 16 and then paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward and Portugal player who died almost exactly a year earlier in a car crash. The date was “a coincidence of life,” said Ronaldo, who held up Jota’s number 21 jersey surrounded by his teammates.

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium reacts after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 1, 2026. — AFP pic

Lukaku’s revenge

Romelu Lukaku has been mocked online during this World Cup and even Belgium coach Rudi Garcia admitted he was out of shape when he included him in the squad. But Lukaku’s introduction from the bench against Senegal proved a dramatic turning point – he scored his side’s first goal as they roared back from 2-0 down to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra-time in Seattle. — AFP