The timeout in the 2018 World Cup before the knockout stage begins Saturday gives us a chance to reflect on a tournament that has had upsets, plenty of last-minute goals, own goals and a fairly successful introduction of Video Assistant Referee.

Without doubt, the biggest upset was Germany, the defending champion and four-time winner overall, crashing out of the group stage, something that has not happened to this football powerhouse in 80 years. The incredible loss to South Korea sent shockwaves around the world, stunning football fans far and wide. It was also the fourth time in the past five World Cups that the defending champion was ousted from the first round. Overconfidence, not taking the buildup to the tournament seriously enough and feeling that a magic button, if pushed, would somehow automatically win another title, seems to have been the biggest reasons for the spectacular fall of Germany and other former champions.

No Arab or African country and just Japan from Asia are going any further in this World Cup. Their absence only serves to show that the countries of these regions still have a long way to go before they can catch up with the big boys of the game. Special mention should go to Senegal which, with four points, were the best team who went out in the group stage. They were knocked out because they had two more yellow cards than Japan. This is the fair play rule, used for the first time in a World Cup.

Morocco must also be credited for a fine display, given they were in a tough group that included Spain and Portugal.

Saudi Arabia somewhat redeemed themselves after beating Egypt 2-1. Even though it was a dead rubber match, the win showed that the Kingdom’s 5-0 defeat to Russia in the opener was by and large a fluke.

And hats off to Egypt’s goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary who, at age 45, broke the record for being the oldest player ever in a World Cup.

VAR, being used for the first time in a World Cup, has decreased the controversies of past tournaments, especially with regard to penalties. Its detractors’ claim that allowing for referees to make mistakes was a human element of the game that should not be dispensed with has not been borne out by the number of crucial decisions VAR has had to make, most of them accurate. As for the other problem VAR’s opponents predicted – that too much time would be wasted as the referees check and recheck video replays – that has turned out to be advantageous, as waiting for a VAR decision became a time of exciting suspense for the players, spectators and TV viewers alike.

There have been nine own goals scored in this World Cup, already a record. Probably the most heartbreaking was Morocco’s substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz heading into his own goal in the 95th minute to hand Iran a victory.

Last-minute goals have given the tournament sudden heart attacks and precious lifelines. Among the highlights must be Toni Kroos saving Germany, at the time, with a stoppage-time winner against Sweden. The second place prize might go to Marcos Rojo whose dramatic late volley over Nigeria sent Lionel Messi and Argentina through to the last 16.

As we enter the knockout stage, Brazil are going for a sixth trophy but, going by their first round performances, England, Belgium, Spain and Uruguay should be in the fray.

Kudos to Russia for so far holding an impressively smooth tournament void of anticipated fears of hooliganism and xenophobia. Fans coming from all over the world have descended on Russia and into stadiums donning colorful garb, with smiling painted faces, all enthusiastically cheering on their teams in a global festival befitting the world’s biggest sporting event.