Group stage wrapped up and honestly I'm still processing what Ecuador did to Germany. Two minutes in Sane puts Germany ahead, everyone thinks it's business as usual. Then Ecuador just refuses to fold. Angulo levels it in the ninth minute, and Plata pokes in the winner in the 78th. Germany had already secured top spot but they played their starters and still got turned over. Ecuador finished third in the group with four points and sneaked through as one of the best third-placed teams. First time they've made it out of the group stage in twenty years. That's the kind of chaos this expanded format was built for.

South Africa did something similar in Group A. Beat South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey, Maseko scoring in the 63rd minute, and just like that they're through to the knockout rounds for the first time ever. Four appearances at this tournament and they'd never escaped the group. Now they're heading to Los Angeles to face Canada in the round of 32 on June 28. Canada themselves are making history too, reaching the knockouts for the first time. Two debutants in the same match.

Mexico topped Group A with a perfect nine points, three wins, zero conceded. They'll host a match at Mexico City Stadium against a third-placed team from Groups C, E, F, H or I. Brazil strolled past Scotland 3-0 in Miami with Vinicius bagging a brace. They'll face Group F's runners-up in Houston on June 29. Argentina put three past Algeria, Austria beat Jordan 3-1, England smashed Croatia 4-2. France and Norway had already qualified early but their final group matches on June 27 still had Mbappe and Haaland battling for the golden boot.

The round of 32 kicks off Sunday. South Africa versus Canada in LA. Germany waiting for a third-placed team from Groups A, B, C, D or F in Boston. Mexico hosting in the Azteca. Forty-eight teams became thirty-two. Now it gets real.

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