Last time we saw a ton of goals scored - 19 across four matches - but not loads of drama as the favourites to go through did so:
Will Groups E & F go down to the wire? The former looks much more likely, but we'll see.
Group E
Germany have had two easy 3-0 wins, leaving them all-but-certain to go through. One of those wins was against Belgium, who recovered to beat Peru by a scoreline that meant the two sides have identical records thus far:
Group E
Germany have had two easy 3-0 wins, leaving them all-but-certain to go through. One of those wins was against Belgium, who recovered to beat Peru by a scoreline that meant the two sides have identical records thus far:
Peru have to get something against Germany to have a chance of qualification, as they need to at least equal Belgium's result against the point-less Israel. Israel themselves are not out of it - a two-goal win over Belgium coupled with a German win would see them steal second place.
Pre-match: Germany vs Peru
Germany opt for some light rotation, as teenagers Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala come in along with Benjamin Pavard. Joshua Kimmich, Sadio Mané and Joao Cancelo are the players rested. Peru retreat into a defensive 4-1-4-1, with Josipmir Ballón, Williams Riveros and Kevin Sandoval the new faces.
Pre-match: Germany vs Peru
Germany opt for some light rotation, as teenagers Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala come in along with Benjamin Pavard. Joshua Kimmich, Sadio Mané and Joao Cancelo are the players rested. Peru retreat into a defensive 4-1-4-1, with Josipmir Ballón, Williams Riveros and Kevin Sandoval the new faces.
Pre-match: Belgium vs Israel
After a good performance against Peru, there's little for Belgium to alter. This isn't the case for Israel. Miguel Vítor and Tjaronn Chery drop out along with the suspended Daniel Sundgren, with Dylab Batubinsika, Eyad Abu-Abied and Dorde Jovanovic in.
After a good performance against Peru, there's little for Belgium to alter. This isn't the case for Israel. Miguel Vítor and Tjaronn Chery drop out along with the suspended Daniel Sundgren, with Dylab Batubinsika, Eyad Abu-Abied and Dorde Jovanovic in.
Kick-off
BELvISR (12 mins): Belgium look very assured in possession, and nearly take the lead following a fine passing move. Romelu Lukaku plays a wonderful pass out wide to Noa Lang, who gets it onto his right foot and fires it back over to Lukaku, whose powerful volley rattles the crossbar!
BELvISR (12 mins): Belgium look very assured in possession, and nearly take the lead following a fine passing move. Romelu Lukaku plays a wonderful pass out wide to Noa Lang, who gets it onto his right foot and fires it back over to Lukaku, whose powerful volley rattles the crossbar!
GERvPER (31 mins): Peru have done a pretty good job of containing Germany. Their opponents are getting shots away, but they are from difficult positions. There's little threat at the other end, other than one quick breakaway that lead to an Aldo Corzo shot well over the bar.
BELvISR (38 mins): At opposite ends there's shots saved from Jovanovic and Calvin Stengs. Israel come forward again, there's a coming-together between a couple of players from each side, and the referee deems Teddy Teumato have fouled Ali Mohamed! VAR has a look to see whether it's a penalty... just outside the box! A let-off for Belgium, although they still nearly conceded as Mignolet is needed to deny Jovanovic again!
BELvISR (43 mins): A strong run from Gerardo Arteaga allows him to cross for Stengs, whose header catches Daniel Peretz out, but it just clips the top of the bar. With no further chances we go in at the break still scoreless despite plenty of action.
GERvPER (45+1 mins): If anything, Peru look quite comfortable for the final part of the half... until right before the whistle when they lose their defensive shape, allowing Leroy Sané to play a ball in for Ilkay Gundogan. One-on-one, he makes no mistake and Germany have the lead! Peru need to come out of their shell now.
Half time
GERvPER (49 mins): Peru replace Carlos Zambrano with striker Alex Valera, and move to a 4-4-2, still hoping to keep things tight at the back, but with more scope for attack. But they get caught out, as a huge gap between full back and central defender allows Benjamin Pavard to play Sané in down the right. His shot is deflected off Williams Riveros, and Carlos Cáceda makes a save. Sané is quickly over to the rebound. He tries to pull it back across goal but again Riveros is in the way... only for his touch to knock the ball into the goal! A very unfortunate own goal, and surely that's Peru sunk now?
BELvISR (53 mins): Eran Zahavi has his pocket picked by Stengs, who gets it to Hans Vanaken. He threads it between Israel's centre backs for Lukaku, and he thumps it into the bottom corner! VAR wants to check for offside... and the goal stands! Israel now need three goals from somewhere.
BELvISR (55 mins): And now they need four. After Mignolet catches a tame cross Belgium are away, Lang pulls wide before finding Lukaku who puts it in the other bottom corner!
GERvPER (56 mins): Peru are certainly sunk now. Germany get a third and it's pretty simple; again Pavard finds Sané in the box, and he is able to knock it low across the width of Peru's 6 yard box, where Musiala is waiting to scuff it in! This group is all over now, isn't it?
BELvISR (58 mins): It's an incredible five-minute hat trick for Lukaku! Again, Lang has too much guile for Israel, as he finds the onrushing Lukaku to power his shot past Daniel Peretz!
GERvPER (68 mins): Following the last goal Germany make a triple substitution, and all three of them combine to get their next goal - a manager's dream! Dani Olmo's free kick is nodded down by Niklas Sule, where Sadio Mané is waiting to poke it in!
BELvISR (72 mins): If you'd lost track, Israel need just the five goals to qualify... and they get one out of nowhere as Mariano Bareiro lets fly from 25 yards and finds the top corner!
GERvPER (77 mins): Sule has a header from a corner cleared off the line, but immediately after Germany get a penalty anyway as Renato Tapia's miserable game sees him upend Olmo in the box. Gundogan... he goes high down the middle, Cáceda dives and it's 5-0!
BELvISR (87 mins): The game seems to be drifting towards its conclusion, but a long ball from Dia Saba towards fellow Israeli sub Chery draws out Mignolet. Chery gets to it first, taking it around Mignolet - who smartly doesn't bring him down and get himself suspended for the knockout rounds - and he lifts it into the unguarded goal!
GERvPER (90+2 mins): Despite four goals this half, including a VAR check plus nine substitutions, the referee only adds two minutes to the end of the game out of sympathy. Both teams are pretty happy for the match to end.
BELvISR (90+5 mins): Israel are unable to salvage a draw from the match despite their comeback.
Final score: Germany 5-0 Peru
Player of the match: Ilkay Gundogan (GER)
Peru did do a decent job right up until they let Germany in right at the end of the first half. From there it was pretty painful viewing as they failed to avenge their 2017 semi final defeat. By contrast, Germany were outstanding and will feel like they've put together a real statement of intent in this group stage.
Player of the match: Ilkay Gundogan (GER)
Peru did do a decent job right up until they let Germany in right at the end of the first half. From there it was pretty painful viewing as they failed to avenge their 2017 semi final defeat. By contrast, Germany were outstanding and will feel like they've put together a real statement of intent in this group stage.
Final score: Belgium 3-2 Israel
Player of the match: Romelu Lukaku (BEL)
If I needed a two-goal win to get through to my first DWC knockout stage, I wouldn't give Lukaku three golden opportunities in the space of 5 minutes. A great game from the much-travelled striker, and Belgium claim a deserved win, despite Israel's rally.
Player of the match: Romelu Lukaku (BEL)
If I needed a two-goal win to get through to my first DWC knockout stage, I wouldn't give Lukaku three golden opportunities in the space of 5 minutes. A great game from the much-travelled striker, and Belgium claim a deserved win, despite Israel's rally.
Just the ten goals there, nine in the second half(!), but ultimately a final table that finishes in ranking order:
Group F
After a great draw between Brazil and Canada it seemed like this group could go to the wire. But Sweden's narrow wins over Nigeria and Canada saw them qualify early, and a huge Brazil win over Nigeria means they're very likely to join them:
After a great draw between Brazil and Canada it seemed like this group could go to the wire. But Sweden's narrow wins over Nigeria and Canada saw them qualify early, and a huge Brazil win over Nigeria means they're very likely to join them:
Sweden can secure first place if they avoid defeat to Brazil. Should Sweden win, this could open the door for Canada, although they will need to batter poor Nigeria to manage it.
Pre-match: Brazil vs Sweden
Brazil make one change; Maycon in for Paulinho. Sweden make a few changes, with players on a yellow card, plus star player Alexander Isak, protected for the next round.
Pre-match: Brazil vs Sweden
Brazil make one change; Maycon in for Paulinho. Sweden make a few changes, with players on a yellow card, plus star player Alexander Isak, protected for the next round.
Pre-match: Canada vs Nigeria
Michael Bradley returns to the Canadian starting XI in place of Samuel Piette, as his side fields the same XI that faced Brazil in the opening game. There are plenty of changes for Nigeria, with Kazie Enyinaya, Godfrey Oboabona and Tesho Akindele making their first starts.
Michael Bradley returns to the Canadian starting XI in place of Samuel Piette, as his side fields the same XI that faced Brazil in the opening game. There are plenty of changes for Nigeria, with Kazie Enyinaya, Godfrey Oboabona and Tesho Akindele making their first starts.
Kick-off
BRAvSWE (8 mins): Giorgian De Arrascaeta, hat trick hero against Nigeria, and he nearly gets one in the fifth minute here, ghosting in at the far post but shooting straight at Johan Dahlin. But then, three minutes later, a huge clearance from Gustavo Gómez finds De Arrascaeta wide on the left. He keeps it in play, and then muscles Mads Fenger off the ball as the defender comes over. Macus Danielson backs off as De Arrascaeta comes into the box, and it proves fatal as he drills a low shot across goal and in! What a solo effort!
CANvNGA (10 mins): It's not the ideal start for Canada, as being told "A win today could see us qualify for the next round!" in their team talk, both Ryan Gauld and Matt Hedges looked confused. Regardless, they combine to nearly put their team into an early lead, as Gauld's free kick is headed by Hedges against the inside of the post, but it trickles along the line before being cleared.
CANvNGA (27 mins): Even if Sweden can perform a turnaround, Canada aren't looking on course for the big win they need. And then it gets worse, as Nigeria's draft player Manuel Akanji rises highest to head in a corner and put Nigeria in front!
BRAvSWE (28 mins): There's a collision between Renato Augusto and Viktor Fischer that leaves both carrying knocks. Fischer is replaced by Gustav Wikheim, and Brazil prepare to bring Everton Ribeiro on for Renato Augusto. But before the ball goes out of play Renato Augusto sneaks into space beyond Pedro, Guilherme Arana picks him out and he curls his shot into the top corner! Not a bad way to leave the pitch!
CANvNGA (45+1 mins): Canada's first half performance can be summed up by the fact they had 71% possession but just one shot on target. Nigeria may have done little themselves, but they currently don't look troubled.
BRAvSWE (45+2 mins): It's all Brazil, but somehow they don't add to their lead. Still, their progression looks pretty certain.
Half time
Half time
BRAvSWE (49 mins): Neither team make changes at the break, and unsurprisingly there's no change in the pattern of the game. Edenílson bursts upfield, plays it to Maycon who shows great awareness to immediately play it across the box for De Arrascaeta, whose brilliant tournament continues as he tucks it in the near corner!
CANvNGA (63 mins): Canada have been a bit more dominant this half, with Gauld forcing a good save from John Noble. And just when Canada were preparing a quadruple substitution one of the players about to be axed - Cristian Dájome - is played through by Gauld and he zips a shot into the top corner! Parity restored!
CANvNGA (75 mins): Nigeria nearly retake the lead immediately as Akanji gets onto another corner, but his header hits the bar. Ten minutes later they get another corner, but this time it's cleared. Canada get it wide to Lorenzo Insigne, who hasn't shown much of his qualities this tournament, but he plays a smart pass into Dájome who finishes first time!
BRAvSWE (90+2 mins): The game peters out, although Brazil's manager Sávio Henrique will be pretty cross about the number of his players that pick up silly yellow cards before the final whistle.
CANvNGA (90+4 mins): Nigeria push for an equaliser, which leads to quite an open game, but neither team can find the killer ball to take advantage. The final whistle signifies the end of the tournament for both teams.
Final score: Brazil 3-0 Sweden
Player of the match: Giorgian De Arrascaeta (BRA)
Given Sweden's cautious approach, they will be very disappointed with how easily they were opened up by Brazil, whilst in attack they were sorely missing Isak. Brazil look the part this year, and can go into the knockout rounds with confidence.
Player of the match: Giorgian De Arrascaeta (BRA)
Given Sweden's cautious approach, they will be very disappointed with how easily they were opened up by Brazil, whilst in attack they were sorely missing Isak. Brazil look the part this year, and can go into the knockout rounds with confidence.
Final score: Canada 2-1 Nigeria
Player of the match: Cristian Dájome (CAN)
Canada just about deserved the win, despite another plucky performance from the tournament's lowest-ranked team. There's little else to say about this game really.
Player of the match: Cristian Dájome (CAN)
Canada just about deserved the win, despite another plucky performance from the tournament's lowest-ranked team. There's little else to say about this game really.
Coming into the tournament, it looked like the Canada vs Sweden clash could be decisive, and ultimately it was:
Sweden will need to be much improved in the next round as they face the high-flying Germans. Brazil vs Belgium looks on paper to be a much more intriguing affair.
Our next episode wraps up the group stage as it concludes with Groups G & H.
Our next episode wraps up the group stage as it concludes with Groups G & H.