After Sunday’s one-match palate-cleanser, the World Cup clicked into a new gear on Monday, with three absorbing knockout games.Brazil vs Japan always looked likely to be one of the fixtures of the last 32 and didn’t disappoint. Japan, so watchable in the group stage, flew out of the traps and took the lead through Kaishu Sano. Five-time World Cup winners Brazil slowly ground their way back, however, and eventually snatched victory with a stoppage-time Gabriel Martinelli strike.If that was a warning shot to the traditional World Cup nations, Germany missed the message. They huffed and puffed against Paraguay, falling behind in the first half and completely failing to build upon Kai Havertz’s 54th-minute equaliser.Julian Nagelsmann’s side felt aggrieved at having a late Jonathan Tah header ruled out by the VAR, but you could not argue they played well. Perennial scrappers Paraguay didn’t either, in truth, but they did progress after a dramatic penalty shootout. It was the first time Germany had ever lost a World Cup shootout.The day’s final game went a similar way, albeit after a more exciting contest. The Netherlands thought they had seen Morocco off when Cody Gakpo turned home with 19 minutes to play in Monterrey, only for Issa Diop to score in additional time. 30 minutes of nail-biting action ensued before one of the most stressful shootouts in recent World Cup history.Only five of the 10 spot kicks went in. And Morocco marched on.Matchday 19 results:Round of 32: Brazil 2-1 Japan