It feels like yesterday that Mexico and South Africa took the pitch at Azteca, kicking off the celebrations of yet another electric World Cup.
We've seen all-time records broken, old stars prove they're not just on their last legs, new greats emerge on the world stage, surprise nations make their mark and former favourites crumble. We've seen everything the World Cup has to offer ... for the group stage at least.
Now it's time for payday. No more draws, no in-between, everything is life or death.
The bracket is nearly filled out after Group L and K wrapped up their matches. England finished atop the former, with Croatia close behind and Ghana qualifying as a third seed. In the latter, Colombia finished ahead of Portugal, with Congo DR advancing as a third.
Later on, Argentina continued its perfect run at the tourney, while Austria and Algeria delivered one of the most enthralling matches, set to determine seeding in a deadlocked Group J.
Here are the big takeaways from Saturday, the final day of group-stage action.
THE RESULTS
Group L: Croatia 2, Ghana 1 | Match Report | Match Stats
Group L: England 2, Panama 0 | Match Report | Match Stats
Group K: Portugal 0, Colombia 0 | Match Report | Match Stats
Group K: Congo DR 3, Uzbekistan 1 | Match Report | Match Stats
Group J: Argentina 3, Jordan 1 | Match Report | Match Stats
Group J: Austria 3, Algeria 3 | Match Report | Match Stats
THE BIG TAKEAWAYS
England continues to confuse with uninspiring group-stage showing
After a 4-2 win over Croatia, with England playing the most foot-on-your-neck football it had played in years, it felt like we were seeing a new team under manager Thomas Tuchel.
One that, once they had a lead, wasn't afraid to extend it. One that didn't play to scrape by or to survive, one that was there to kill, nothing less. They could've easily rested on their laurels following Jude Bellingham's goal; instead, they took a risk, put in Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka, and scored another.
That England has been nowhere to be found over the last two games, calling into question just how sure we are that it's coming home.
A 2-0 win against Panama is the result they needed, sure, but against the 42nd-ranked side in the world, England should be able to get what it wants.
Despite controlling 67 per cent of the possession and outnumbering the touches in the opposing box 39 to 14, England's attack looked like no certain thing. Neither of the goals were pretty, as England had to rely on its muscle — a setpiece marker from Bellingham and a headed finish from Kane — rather than its skill, which should be far above Panama, regardless of how gusty the Concacaf side looked.
England is set to face Congo DR in the Round of 32, then a potential Round of 16 matchup with stingy Mexico or Ecuador awaits, and if the Three Lions can't soon find their roar, a disappointment doesn't seem far-fetched. Their hopes rest on the shoulders of Bellingham and Kane.
Portugal falls back down to Earth in lifeless draw to Colombia
Right, so maybe Uzbekistan isn't a proper measuring stick for teams that fancy themselves as contenders.
Fresh off Cristiano Ronaldo reasserting himself, proving to the world and to himself that he might not be washed, he turned the tables yet again with a heroic performance against Colombia. As long as that hero is Sue Storm from the Fantastic Four, capable of going invisible at a moment's notice.
The 41-year-old touched the ball only 35 times and created only 0.17 expected goals from those contributions. He had only two touches in the opposing box, was called offside twice, completed only 81 per cent of his passes, and never looked to really threaten 37-year-old Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas.
Colombia is stout defensively, no question, but Portugal's midfield came into the tournament touted as one of the best, as the trio of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes looked like the perfect group to provide a hopefully clinical Ronaldo with chances galore.
The blame, of course, doesn't all fall on the all-time great's shoulders. Pedro Neto on the right wing has been disappointing throughout the tournament and failed to deliver on any of his three crosses into the box against Colombia. Joao Felix, on the left, penned a similar story, with three unsuccessful crosses and zero successful dribbles.
Portugal will have to sort itself out soon, as a matchup with Croatia in Toronto is scheduled for Thursday, and Luka Modric looked more like a semblance of himself in his team's 2-1 win over Ghana earlier on Saturday.
Bittersweet draw for Austria
You can't script a better ending than what we witnessed in the Group J decider between Austria and Algeria.
With the game tied at two apiece heading into added time, former Premier League legend Riyad Mahrez finished a gorgeous build-up for his second goal of the day, putting Algeria in control with what felt like only seconds to go.
But the officials allowed the game to go on a bit longer due to Algeria's celebrations, and Austria took full advantage, as super sub Sasa Kalajdzic sent a wicked header into the bottom-right corner off yet another sweet build-up, tying the game up in the dying embers.
With the 3-3 draw, Austria finished second in the group while Algeria dropped to third, but still qualified for the knockouts.
However, a better finish in the group isn't all it's made out to be, as Austria will now meet powerhouse Spain in the Round of 32, while Algeria will square off against Group B winner Switzerland. Tough luck.
GOAL OF THE DAY
Struggling to advance past the Black Stars' defensive line, Croatia broke through in the 21st minute with one of the sweetest long-ball strikes of the tourney. 22-year-old winger Petar Sucic got the ball in space in the middle of the pitch and took a thunderous low-driven shot from 25 yards out straight into the bottom-left corner. The shot had only a 0.04 expected goal mark. Snipe.
STAT OF THE DAY
Between Messi's timeless superstardom and the heroics of greybeards like Cape Verde keeper Vozinha, it's been quite a tournament for the old guard.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“These players are used to these moments — they play Champions League and Europa League to the end. They know what it takes. We will step up. The bigger the games get, the bigger we will get. There is no problem growing into a tournament like this. We have strong belief and trust in each other. It is important we keep believing in what we can influence and what we can improve. The most important thing is not to be afraid and be brave.”
— England head coach Thomas Tuchel on his team adapting to higher stakes, and not reading too much into the less-than-impressive results against Ghana and Panama.
THREE STARS OF THE DAY
1. Jude Bellingham (England): Lined up in a double-pivot role alongside Elliot Anderson as Tuchel adjusted his lineup, the Real Madrid man looked comfortable as ever. Though he was asked to provide more defensive contributions than in games past, he played his role with ease, managing four tackles and seven recoveries, all while adding a goal and an assist.
2. Yoane Wissa (Congo DR): Gunning for a win to secure its spot as a third-place team in the Round of 32, Congo's star striker stepped up to the occasion. The Newcastle man won his penalty in the 68th minute and looked calm as he converted it, then completed the brace in added time, firing through an obscene off-balance shot off the half-turn to put the game to bed.
3. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): What's with all the old guys scoring braces at this World Cup? The former Leicester and Man City man joined the fun on Saturday, potting two gorgeous goals on cuts into the box, and was incisive with his passes, firing home five balls into the final third and finishing with an 80 per cent rate on long balls.
