The five worst moments from the World Cup Round of 16, ranked

The 2026 World Cup has already given soccer fans around the world so many memorable moments.

Lionel Messi's hat trick against Algeria. Harry Kane's brace saving England against DR Congo. Lionel Mpasi's heroics in goal that set up Kane's show.

USA TODAY Sports' Jim Reineking is featuring the best moments from the tournament's round of 16 in his new article. Meanwhile, this author drew the short straw to revisit the moments from the last round that fans would rather forget.

Don't worry though, we'll get through this. (Not you, Egypt). These are the worst moments of the tournament's last round, ranked by their significance and putrescence.

Dishonorable mention: Neymar barks over late goal in loss

Brazilian superstar Neymar earns the "Act Like You've Been Here" award for his ultimately meaningless goal in his team's 2-1 loss to Norway. It was a fine penalty kick conversion in the 100th minute, but with time running out, Neymar wasted what was left by getting in Norway keeper Ørjan Nyland's face to share his thoughts on his ninth World Cup goal. Maybe just head back to midfield and play on?

5. England's Jordan Henderson hurt in victory celebration

This one was heaping injury upon insult. Henderson saw his 2026 World Cup end after a freak postgame mishap in which he suffered a "serious injury" to his wrist when he fell while attempting to hop over an advertising board as England celebrated its victory over Mexico. Not only did the injury put a major damper on the celebration, but it came after a game in which Henderson played zero minutes, yet managed to pick up a yellow card from the sidelines.

4. Injured Santiago Gimenez dragged off field

Sticking to the theme of "ugly injuries at the end of England vs. Mexico," Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez had to be stretchered off after the match when he sprained his ankle in stoppage time. With the game in its final moments and Mexico trailing 3-2, a teammate dragged Gimenez off the field as Mexico attempted a corner kick as he writhed in obvious pain along the sideline. A tough end for both Gimenez and Mexico, which almost managed an equalizer as Gimenez was tended to.

3. Paraguay's unpleasantness against France, Kylian Mbappe

Off the field, a Paraguayan politician stirred controversy with her ugly remarks about French star Kylian Mbappe. On the field, Paraguay tried to beat Mbappe down physically. France managed a 1-0 win in a match that fell short of soccer's "beautiful game" moniker as Paraguay packed its defense tight in a testy match that featured 23 fouls and a level of pushing and jawing that overshadowed the quality of play.

"We can play ugly football. They thought we would turn up in tuxedos, but we were there," Mbappe said after the game.

2. Brain Freese for U.S. men vs. Belgium

It was the moment that broke U.S. soccer fans' hearts and completed a three-day expulsion of host nations Canada, Mexico and the U.S., who fell out of contention July 4-6. With the Americans trailing Belgium 2-1 and struggling to find chances, U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese made a critical mistake in coming out of his box to play a long pass off his chest. Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere challenged and deflected the ball, allowing Hans Vanaken an easy goal that deflated U.S. hopes of advancing.

"This hurts," Freese said. "This moment hurts more than probably any other moment in my life."

1. Egypt's meltdown after goal called back

The end of Argentina's stunning 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt ended in Egypt coach Hossam Hassan proclaiming The Pharaohs "suffered injustice" regarding a controversial call that disallowed a goal.

Referees ruled that a goal that would have put Egypt up 2-0 as the game neared its 60th minute was nullified by a foul that occurred before the team's swift attacking move started. What followed was largely a complete meltdown by Egypt, which was booked multiple times as it allowed Argentina to score in the 79th and 83rd minutes before Enzo Fernandez delivered the finisher in stoppage time.

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