More than 100 matches in a near-six-week extravaganza means most SBOTOP football fans are probably catching their breath right now.
I know some of my colleagues are.
And what of the men who delivered such World Cup 2026 highlights in the United States, Mexico and Canada?
Well, there are many questions I have which will be debated for a wee while to come:
How did Spain’s collective get the better of all before them?
Was supposed political interference really that bad if it overturned a highly questionable decision involving the US?
And did the captain of the newly crowned champions, Rodri, really deserve the Golden Ball ahead of Jude Bellingham?
We can chat about those and other talking points all day long but instead I’ve been assessing the knockout stages and all 31 games (32 if you include the third/fourth-place play-off) in the expanded competition.
We witnessed many variations, but when there was no longer any wriggle room for a slip-up, these encounters were my top five (in no particular order).
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
If the minnows of Cape Verde gave the defending world champions a jolt in the last 32, they were given the fright of their lives by Egypt in the last 16.
With 11 minutes remaining, the South Americans trailed the Pharaohs 2-0 and Hossam Hassan’s men were about to deliver the greatest moment in Egyptian football history.
At that point, the World Cup 2026 betting odds were under serious threat of being turned upside down.
Once Cristian Romero headed home 11 minutes from time, there was belief in the La Albiceleste ranks and, presumably, a modicum of doubt in their minds of their opponents.
Within five minutes, Lionel Messi produced a composed finish via the underside of the bar to equalise and then, with extra-time looming, came the decisive moment.
Egypt carelessly lost possession and, after Lautaro Martinez burst down the right, he lofted a pinpoint cross to Enzo Fernandez – a player who sealed a £106 million move to Chelsea for his performances at the last World Cup – who expertly headed home the winner.
A contest that will live long in the memory of both nations for very different reasons.
Mexico 2-3 England
Less than 48 hours previously. England produced arguably their best display of the tournament by seeing off co-hosts Mexico by the same scoreline.
The anticipation has been heightened by a one-hour delay due to severe weather around the iconic Azteca Stadium.
When it did get going, it was energetic, it was lively and it was England – just.
Bellingham scored twice in 98 seconds to put them in control before Julian Quinones reduced the arrears three minutes before half-time.
When Thomas Tuchel’s men were reduced to 10 men early in the second half, the momentum appeared to be with Mexico.
Captain Harry Kane had other ideas though, restoring their two-goal advantage from the penalty spot before conceding a spot-kick of his own which Raul Jimenez converted.
It was not enough as some inspired goalkeeping from Jordan Pickford and a dogged rearguard action maintained England’s advantage against a nation which had lost only two of 89 competitive games at its Azteca fortress.
Belgium 3-2 Senegal
If drama was a regular bedfellow at World Cup 2026, nothing quite matched this last 32 tie.
Senegal were in control after goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had given them a deserved 2-0 lead.
Even when his country’s all-time marksman, Romelu Lukaku, came off the bench and flicked in a Thomas Meunier cross, it felt a little too late for Belgium
Then Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw misjudged a Leandro Trossard delivery and Youri Tielemans was on hand to head in a leveller and force extra time.
The main drama was still to come, however, and with both sides seconds away from a penalty shoot-out, the Belgians were awarded a controversial penalty in the final seconds.
It took VAR an unacceptable seven minutes to deem Lamine Camara’s sliding challenge on Tielemans as a foul and the captain was the coolest man in the country as he calmly rifled his spot kick into the top corner. Cue scenes those of a Belgian persuasion will remember for a long time to come.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (3-4 on pens)
Amidst such a manic schedule, I didn’t stay up for this meeting in the new round of 32.
I did, though, get a shock when I saw the result the following morning.
You see Germany don’t lose penalty shoot-outs.
Yet after the sides couldn’t be separated after 120-plus minutes – Julio Enciso and Kai Havertz trading goals – they were beaten on spot-kicks in a World Cup for the first time in history.
Orlando Gill was the hero with two saves and German manager Julian Nagelsmann was out of a job within weeks.
Brazil 1-2 Norway
If the Germans going out early for a third successive World Cup was a surprise, Brazil’s exit a round later felt a body blow for the purists.
The reaction back home has been brutal for the Selecao with head coach Carlo Ancelotti bearing the brunt of the blame. There’s a chance that the former Real Madrid boss might not even see out his £8.5 million-a-year deal if the Samba Boys fare badly in the Copa America in two years.
They should be careful what they wish for.
The veteran Italian is aiming to change a decade or so of underachievement and they have the right man at the helm.
Ultimately, Erling Haaland’s second-half double helped Norway stun the five-time winners and ensured they exited the tournament before the quarter-finals for the first time since 1990.
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