The World Cup's knockout stage is upon us, and the opening round of 32 has already delivered a seismic shock: Ecuador, backed by just 597 of more than 56,000 users in the BBC's predictor game, beat four-time winners Germany. The result sent ripples through a tournament that has seen minnows Cape Verde advance to face holders Argentina, and co-hosts Canada edge past South Africa 1-0 in stoppage time courtesy of Stephen Eustaquio.
BBC Sport's football expert Chris Sutton has his doubts about some of the underdogs. 'After watching South Africa at Estadio Azteca in the opening game, I was absolutely shocked to see them finish second in Group A,' he said. But he tipped Canada to progress: 'Canada boss Jesse Marsch gets a bit of stick for some of his behaviour but his team have got something about them. I'll be shocked again if they don't [go further].' Sutton also believes Japan – his colleague Ali Bruce-Ball's dark horses – could cause an upset against Brazil.
“Ecuador stunned Germany in the group stage as England prepare to face DR Congo in the World Cup last-32.”
England face DR Congo in their last-32 tie, with Thomas Tuchel's side buoyed by back-to-back clean sheets since recalling Manchester City centre-half John Stones, who was surprisingly left out of the opening game against Croatia. The England defence will have to contain a Cape Verde side that has become one of the feelgood narratives of the tournament, spearheaded by 40-year-old goalkeeper Josimar 'Vozinha' Dias, who made seven saves against Spain and kept a clean sheet against Saudi Arabia.
Elsewhere, Netherlands right-back – whose move to Real Madrid will be confirmed on July 1 – has been a key player, while Spain's Cubarsi has been flawless at the back. Japan's attack-minded left-back Nakamura scored his country's opening goal against the Netherlands, and Ecuador midfielder Pedro Vite has emblemised his team's bullish, full-blooded approach.
Germany, strong favourites for their last-32 clash against Paraguay in Boston, will need to regroup after their group-stage stumble. With 104 matches now completed, the users' predictions lead the way: 48 correct out of 72 (67%), compared to Chris Sutton's 41 (57%) and AI's 43 (60%). The knockout rounds promise more drama – and more upsets.