The group stage wrapped up and the knockout rounds kicked off, and honestly, I'm still processing everything that went down. The expanded format delivered exactly the chaos it promised—history made, records broken, and some heavy hitters looking vulnerable.

Group Stage Finale (June 27)

France made a statement, thrashing Norway 4-1 with Ousmane Dembele scoring a hat-trick in just 32 minutes—the second-earliest hat-trick in World Cup history. Dembele's treble was the third of this tournament after Messi and Jonathan David. France topped Group I and will face Sweden in the round of 32.

Senegal did something no African nation had ever done—they put five past a 10-man Iraq, winning 5-0. Ismaila Sarr scored his fourth career World Cup goal, surpassing Papa Bouba Diop as Senegal's all-time leading scorer at the tournament. Substitute Papa Gueye came off the bench and smashed two absolute rockets from outside the box.

Belgium annihilated New Zealand 5-1 with Trossard's brace and Lukaku's return. They topped Group G. Iran and Egypt played out a 1-1 draw—Ramin Rezaeian scored Iran's equalizer and became their all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. Egypt secured second place and advanced alongside Belgium.

Knockout Stage Begins (June 28-29)

South Africa versus Canada in Los Angeles on June 28—two nations making their knockout debuts. Canada had more possession, more shots, more everything except the one thing that mattered. South Africa held on and took it to penalties. Williams saved two spot-kicks and sent Bafana Bafana to the round of 16 for the first time in their history.

Netherlands handled business against Morocco on June 29 in Monterrey. They'd cruised past Tunisia 3-1 to top Group F, with Brobbey grabbing his third of the tournament.

Brazil faced Japan in Houston on June 29. Japan had secured qualification with a 1-1 draw against Sweden, finishing second in Group F. Sweden progressed as one of the best third-placed teams.

What's Next

Germany topped Group E and advanced after a 2-1 comeback against Ivory Coast. Argentina cruised past Algeria 3-0. England smashed Croatia 4-2.

The round of 32 matchups are set. France versus Sweden. Norway versus Ivory Coast. Argentina versus Cape Verde. The bracket is wide open and I honestly can't predict half of these.

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