Brazil, Paraguay and Morocco Advance to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 as Antena 1 Tops the Ratings on Day 19
Germany, Japan and the Netherlands Exit Dramatically on Another Record-Breaking Day
Last night, starting at 8:00 PM, live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, Brazil faced Japan on the second day of the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, broadcast exclusively across the Antena network. Viewers were captivated by a thrilling encounter in which five-time world champions Brazil came within minutes of missing out on a place in the Round of 16, while Germany's dramatic elimination also kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Both matches ranked as the clear ratings leaders. Antena 1 also topped the audience rankings yesterday, both in Prime Time and across the entire broadcast day.
Today, the competition continues live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY with another exciting chapter in football's battle of continents. The strength of the Vikings meets African power at 8:00 PM in Norway vs Côte d'Ivoire, while at midnight, Mbappé and Dembélé's France chase another World Cup final appearance against Sweden, led by the legendary Zlatan, in France vs Sweden, live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. At 4:00 AM, Estadio Azteca hosts another continental clash as Mexico takes on Ecuador in a North America versus South America showdown.
Yesterday's second Round of 32 fixture, Brazil vs Japan, played between 8:00 PM and 10:03 PM and ending in a 2-1 victory for Brazil, aired live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY and ranked as viewers' first choice. The match delivered a 37.8% market share and an 8.9 rating among Adults 21–54 in urban areas, well ahead of Pro TV, which posted a 19.6% market share and a 4.6 rating. The same ranking was maintained among the overall urban audience, where Antena 1 recorded a 30% market share and a 9.4 rating, compared to Pro TV's 16.4% market share and 5.1 rating. Nationwide, Antena 1 also led with a 25.8% market share and a 7.6 rating, while Pro TV followed with an 18.3% market share and a 5.4 rating. At the "golden minute" (9:56 PM), more than 1.8 million viewers were watching the match on Antena 1.
The third Round of 32 clash, Germany vs Paraguay, which saw Germany eliminated after losing on penalties, also dominated the ratings. Broadcast live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY between 11:30 PM and 2:00 AM, the match achieved a 39.3% market share among Adults 21–54 in urban areas, compared to Pro TV's 15.3%. Antena 1 also led among the overall urban audience with a 32.7% market share versus Pro TV's 13.7%, as well as nationwide, where it posted a 27.9% market share compared to Pro TV's 14.8%.
Antena 1 also finished the day as Romania's most-watched television station, recording a 2.8 rating and a 25.8% market share across the entire broadcast day. During Prime Time (7:00 PM–12:00 AM), the station achieved a 6.8 rating and a 31.2% market share among Adults 21–54 in urban areas.
Brazil secured a dramatic place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after defeating Japan 2-1 in a closely contested match. Japan went into halftime leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sano, but the South Americans turned the game around after the break through goals from Casemiro and Martinelli, the latter scoring deep into stoppage time. Carlo Ancelotti's side now awaits the winner of Côte d'Ivoire vs Norway in the Round of 16. Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli also reached a remarkable milestone, scoring his fifth World Cup goal under Carlo Ancelotti, setting a new personal record with the national team.
The drama continued live from 11:30 PM on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY with Germany vs Paraguay, decided on penalties (4-3 after a 3-3 draw). Germany suffered one of the tournament's biggest upsets. After failing to advance beyond the group stage in the previous two World Cups, the Germans were now eliminated as early as the Round of 32 by lower-ranked Paraguay.
It took Paraguay 31 FIFA World Cup matches to score their first-ever goal in the knockout stages, setting an unwanted historical record in world football's biggest competition. Their wait began at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, when La Albirroja lost both of its matches without scoring. Since then, Paraguay had advanced beyond the group stage on three occasions but had never found the net in a knockout match. Their victory at Boston Stadium also made Paraguay the first national team ever to eliminate Germany in a World Cup penalty shootout. Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer further cemented his place in German football history by making his 23rd World Cup appearance from the starting lineup, becoming the country's all-time leader in that category.
The Netherlands also suffered a dramatic exit earlier this morning, losing to Morocco on penalties after a 1-1 draw (3-2 in the shootout). The Atlas Lions became another giant-killer at this tournament and will now face Canada in the Round of 16 after the Canadians defeated South Africa.
The FIFA World Cup has now reached Day 20 of the tournament and the third day of the Round of 32. So far, Paraguay, Canada and Brazil have secured their places in the Round of 16.
Today's live matches on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY:
- Côte d'Ivoire vs Norway – 8:00 PM (Dallas Stadium)
- France vs Sweden – 12:00 AM (New York/New Jersey Stadium)
- Mexico vs Ecuador – 4:00 AM (Estadio Azteca)
Source: Fifty5Blue
Copyright: ARMADATA S.R.L.
Audience data processed by: Antena Group Research Department
Analysis based on: Adults 21–54 Urban, Urban Total and National audiences
Reporting period: 29 June 2026
