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The stunned silence across the world was almost palpable on Wednesday, as South Korea pulled off one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. Sure, Germany's defeat in the opening game had been against the odds, but they were not the only team to have a shaky start. The nervy last-gasp win against Sweden was seen more as a sign of their determination than fallibility, and everyone assumed they would sweep South Korea aside and go from strength to strength in the knockout stages.
Perhaps that was what Germany were thinking too – their departure seemed unthinkable, and they assumed it couldn't happen. Either way, they are on the plane home, the group stages are at an end and the pundits and bookmakers have been scrambling to decide what to make of it all. Here are three teams to monitor closely over the coming days.
Revolving door as Spain are the new favourites
A couple of weeks ago, most people were debating whether Germany would win back-to-back World Cups or Brazil would stop them. Sure, Spain and France were always considered as being in with a chance, but the focus was really on those top two. As the group matches have played out, it has seemed more like a game of Russian roulette than a sports tournament. It's therefore little surprise that many have preferred the temptation of the Kingcasinobonus new offers on a genuine roulette wheel, rather than stake their hard earned cash on trying to see how the World Cup will pan out.
The view from the bookies, however, is that Spain are now in the box seat to repeat their South African heroics from 2010 and once again lift the biggest prize in world football. Bookmakers have them at 4/1, and this is partially down to them having what ought to be a relatively smooth path to the semis. They take on Russia in the first knockout round, and given Wednesday's events, we should be taking nothing for granted. But if they do get past the host nation, they will be favourites against Croatia or Denmark in the quarter-final.
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Brazil bouncing back
Brazil also had a slow start to the tournament, but unlike Germany, they have managed to bounce back. The win against Costa Rica was tighter than it should have been, but a professional performance against Serbia has got the bookmakers sheathing their knives and sharpening their pens.
Neymar might look like he is playing at his peak, but it is worth remembering that he is still recovering from surgery, and the team coach has warned that the world's most valuable footballer cannot be expected to do it all himself.
Brazil face local rivals Mexico in the next round, a team that has already proved it is ready to take on anyone, and while they will certainly be fancied to progress to the semis, their path is more challenging than Spain's.
England expectant
It is a typical English trait that the home supporters of Harry Kane and his men were dismissing them as having no chance before the tournament even got underway. Comfortable wins against the minnows were similarly dismissed as neither more nor less than was to be expected, as was losing to Belgium. However, that defeat might not be a bad thing for England.
Of course, they have to get past Columbia in the next round, but if they do so, a quarter-final against Sweden or Switzerland is preferable to facing Brazil, which will be Belgium's reward for finishing at the top of the group if all goes to form. The bookmakers now have England at 8/1, and anyone who placed a pre-tournament bet when they were as long as 18/1 will be smiling.
