The advancement of technology, social media and smartphones has only made the World Cup viewing experience more interesting, and the widely accepted notion on thrilling Thursday was that Qatar had witnessed its most exciting day so far; the 12th of the competition. Morocco finished as Group F champions after an admirable group stage campaign, while Croatia ended runners-up, sending Belgium's so-called “golden generation” out of the World Cup. But the main course, of course, came in the second half of the matchday as Japan wrote another indelible chapter in World Cup history. Spain received a rude awakening with their loss to the Blue Samurai, but Luis Enrique's charges still went through owing to a healthy goal difference, while Costa Rica briefly showed hope before fading away. However, Germany's group stage exit - second time in a row - was the biggest shock of the night after their consolation win against the Ticos. Here are the talking points from an engrossing night of action:
Japan create history, wake-up call for Spain and introspection time for German football
The Blue Samurai became the first Asian nation to beat two World Cup winners in the same edition as Hajime Moriyasu's disciples once again came from behind to stun Spain 2-1. Alvaro Morata netted the only goal of the first half, before Moriyasu brought on Ritsu Doan from the bench, and the scorer against Germany created an instant impact again, bringing parity prior to Ao Tanaka's winner.
The land of the rising sun thoroughly deserved their victories against Germany and Spain, stifling their European counterparts in the second half after being pushed to the backfoot in the first. They will now look to the last 16 clash against Croatia looking to progress to the quarter-finals for the first time in history.
The defeat will serve as a wake-up call for the 2010 winners, who opened their campaign with a scintillating 7-0 thumping of Costa Rica. Chinks in Enrique's backline started to appear during the Germany draw, and they were brutally exposed by inspired Japan. The Spaniards benefited greatly from the opening match win as goal difference eventually turned out to be their savior, coupled with Costa Rica's loss to Germany.
Enrique will now have to pick his team up and prepare for the formidable clash against Morocco, who have conceded just once since manager Walid Regragui took over. La Roja will get four days to recover from their latest exertions for Tuesday's clash, while Japan will have a day less to recharge themselves. All four of Japan's goals have come from players who play in the German league.
Four-time winners Germany now find themselves facing introspection time after also going out in the first round in Russia. Despite boasting one of Europe's major domestic leagues, and winning the 2014 World Cup, the Germans have fallen short of world standards in the latest two editions. The powers that be will no doubt get down immediately to the task of reviving German football as they turn their attention to Euro 2024 where they will be hosts.
Costa Rica finished bottom, but underwent contrasting emotions themselves after coming back from the Spain thrashing to win against Japan, before eventually succumbing to relentless German pressure. All the teams, including the Central Americans, had at different stages found themselves in a position to progress. The scant consolation for Keylor Navas and Co is that they will be appreciated for playing their part in this wild night of football action that will be remembered for a long time to come.
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Morocco continue Africa's march, Belgium hit rock bottom as Croatia progress
Morocco became the second African team, after continental champions Senegal, to qualify for the last 16. The last time two African sides had reached the Round Of 16 was in Brazil 2014, but this year's number may yet increase as Ghana and Cameroon are still in the running heading into the final day of the group stage. Tunisia are the only African team so far to have exited the tournament, but even the Carthage Eagles did justice to their talents, defeating world champions France to end with four points, ahead of Denmark at fourth.
This Moroccan side have been tipped as darkhorses leading upto the knockout stages, and the Atlas Lions' success is largely down to the efforts of the miserly defence, who have leaked only once, Nayef Aguerd's own goal against Canada - the first time a player put through his own net in Qatar, and the 100th goal scored in this highly unpredictable World Cup.
If very few had predicted Japan topping their group, even less saw Morocco bossing a group comprising Belgium and Croatia, the former the world's second best team and the latter the finalists of the last edition. Instead it was the North Africans who reigned supreme, shipping just one goal to replicate their 1986 performance, and scoring four times. They are the first African side to top their group since Nigeria finished ahead of Bulgaria, Paraguay and Spain in 1998, and the first since Senegal in 2002 to remain unbeaten after the group stage.
The man of the moment, French-born Regragui, is being hailed as one of the most influential next generation of African coaches and the former Moroccan international has already been labelled as the African country's very own Pep Guardiola. The situation though is completely the opposite at the Belgian camp as Roberto Martinez stepped down as manager, bringing an end to his six-year tenure.
Despite the underserved victory against Canada, their campaign never really got going and was constantly marred by inter-team clashes and groupings. It was a sad end for the Red Devils, who reached the 2014 quarter-final and 2018 semi-final, as they went out in the first hurdle for the first time since 1998. The burly Romelu Lukaku, whose place in the 26-man squad was dependent on him recovering match fitness, will have many sleepless nights after this, as he squandered four glorious chances in the second half to put the game to bed.
The Croats, meanwhile, continued to punch above their weight as they held Belgium to hold onto second spot. While Japan will not be short of adrenaline, Croatia will have both the nous and experience having played the knockout stages of most of the recent international tournaments. But given the nature of this World Cup, the formbook can be thrown out the window.
