1. Sun shines on Japan, world spins off its axis

This is when this World Cup of shocks came off its axis.

At half-time in Group E, after all the ups and downs, heavyweights Spain and Germany looked to be going through to the knockout phase. Order, it seemed, was being restored.

Both the big boys led 1-0. So the heroic efforts of Japan, who had beaten Germany, and Costa Rica, who had beaten Japan, would count for nothing at the end of the day. Or so we thought.

Minutes into the second half, both were going out. And it was “lightweights” Japan and Costa Rica who were on their way to the Round of 16.

It was the most incredible simultaneous double turnaround of all time. No, surely not. This couldn’t be happening.

But it was. Japan had come out as a different team: they were no longer transfixed, they were transformed.

2. From transfixed to transformed

We hadn’t listened to Hajime Moriyasu’s team talk but the Japanese players had. Whatever words the Japan manager came up with, as the commentator said, he could make a fortune as a motivational speaker.

In the first 45 plus minutes, Spain had made 530 passes to Japan’s 89. La Roja had 83% possession. Rodri (115) and Pau Torres (109) both had more passes than the entire Japanese team.

The Blue Samurai was heading for death by 1,000 cuts.

But with two substitutes on, it was Japan who played like men possessed. A goal by Ritsu Doan, scorer in the win over Germany, changed things.

And then came THE moment. Another Japanese attack and somehow Ao Tanaka scrambled home after the ball appeared to go over the line before the cross came in.

It WAS over. Everyone could see grass between the ball and the line. But VAR took its time.

Astonishingly, the nerds in the control room ruled that the ball was still in play and the goal stood. Japan led 2-1 and Germany were going out.

Costa Rica also scored and then took the lead. At that point, the World Cup, if not the world itself, seemed to be spinning out of control.

3. A ruling too VAR for Germany

Commentators were incredulous. Fans of all four countries were stunned. Even those celebrating could scarcely believe what they were seeing. Or hearing from the other game.

It had to be the most amazing passage in the history of the tournament. A “Please Don’t Adjust Your Sets” few minutes.

Eventually, Germany levelled and went on to win 4-2, but it was to no avail. Their exit pass was being written elsewhere as Spain struggled to provide the salvation that Germany needed – another goal.

And so Germany, of all teams, four-time winners and greatest escapologists, went out at the first hurdle for the second World Cup in a row.

Before the game, Jurgen Klinsmann had said defeat would be “a disaster times 10”. After this, it must have felt like times 100.

But they did their bit, winning the game 4-2 with Kai Havertz making a difference with two goals as a late substitute. Chelsea are really having a good World Cup.

The VAR ruling and Spain’s inability to convert possession into goals dug the Germans deep.

But they’re right to feel aggrieved at what seems like a new interpretation of whether a ball is out of play – different to that of goal line technology. Fifa have some explaining to do.

4. Golden generation fooled only themselves

If anyone had a worse tournament than Germany, it must be Belgium. As they seemed to predict with their pre-match negativity, the second-ranked nation in the world came to the end of an era.

The Golden Generation grew old together and manager Roberto Martinez came to the end of his contract. They bowed out not so much with a whimper but a flurry of misses, Romelu Lukaku being the main culprit.

The likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, never mind the old guard in defence, may not be seen in a World Cup again.

But credit to the Croats, an even smaller nation but with a bigger heart and a real tournament team. Runners-up last time, they, too, are older, but retain a steely determination the Belgians lacked. Nil-nil was enough for them.

5. Morocco cruise past Canada

Group F gave no hint of the drama to come in Group E. With Canada already out, the Atlas Lions just needing to avoid defeat to reach their first knockout stage for 36 years.

They duly negotiated it leaving the Canadians pointless and with much to contemplate before they share the hosting duties in 2026.

Morocco has bid for the honour three times and failed, but still look by far the most deserving Arab nation on the field.

Once again, Hakim Zyech got on the score sheet while manager Walid Regragui remains unbeaten since taking over in September.