The group stage of the FIFA World Cup was filled with upsets and crazy underdog stories, underdogs like Nigeria rising to the occasion, announcing themselves in the international stage to the world.

The group stage was the stage of the underdogs.

The knockout stage though… the Round of 32, it was the stage where the favourites asserted their dominance and stake to the biggest trophy in football, the World Cup trophy.

Majority of the Round of 32 games were close and exciting thrillers, the underdogs making themselves known, but none of them managed to get the win over the favourites yet.

The big footballing nations were making a statement to the world.

And now, it was Germany's turn to dance to the tune of scrutiny that assaulted every Round of 32 game so far.

[FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32]

[Match 8: Germany vs Czech Republic]

[Venue: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, Carlifornia]

[Date: July 3rd, 2026] Nоtе: Chесk МVLЕМРYR fоr аny соrrесtiоns.

[Kick-off: 20:00 local time]

[Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)]

There were over 69,000 fans at Levi's Stadium in California.

The stadium was packed to the brim on the night.

The weather? There was a cool night breeze in the Bay Area, ideal for a tactical showdown.

And tonight, a ruthless German machine met a defiant wall, a wall of the Japenese kind. The only question was if the wall was strong enough to witness the force of the German machine.

Germany came into this match with the ferocity of champions in the making. They had a perfect group stage, winning all of their games. Their squad had flawless depth, and it was a strong and balanced squad.

The Czech Republic? This was a gritty team that had fought tooth and nail to emerge from a tough group. They were forged through fire, but many thought that this time, maybe the fire was a bit too hot for them to survive.

Few gave them a chance against the German machines, but for the next hour and some, they wanted to prove the world wrong and give Germany nightmares.

They were determined. This was not going to be a routine win for the Germans. If they eventually won, it won't be easy, it would be a hard-fought siege.

Under Julian Nagelsmann, Germany started in a 4-2-3-1 with Marc Andre Ter Stegen in goal, while ahead of him stood a defensive quadruple of Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Raum.

In midfield was the duo of Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala, while the creative attackers were Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz, and Leroy Sane.

Niclas Fullkrug led the line as the striker.

Czech Republic started in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Jindrich Stanek in goal, a defensive quadruple of Coufal, Zima, Krejci, and Hlozek ahead of him, and a midfield comprising Soucek, Sadilek, Provod, Cerny, and Barak.

Patrick Schick led the line as the striker.

FWEEE!

The game started and like expected, the German machines dictated the game early, showing their efficiency and ruthless brilliance in the game.

The first half was all Germany.

Germany dominated possession, over 68% possession in the opening 45 minutes, but it was sterile.

The Czechs turned into a back five when defending to curb the German aggression in attack.

Everything Germany went on the attack, the back 5 dropped deep and compact, forcing Germany to shoot from range or swing in ineffective crosses since they simply couldn't penetrate the solid defensive block.

Stanek made his first save of the game in the 18th minute.

Musiala danced through two men and fired low. The Czech keeper got down fast. Germany were finding cracks, but they weren't breaking through.

In the 36th minute of the game, Soucek got a yellow card for persistent fouling on Wirtz. The Germans were getting frustrated.

And in a shocking event for the football universe, the first half of this game came to an end with a bamboozling 0-0 score line.

The crowd was getting tense. The Czechs were defending heroically. Germany were dominant but blunt.

When second half started, the pressure mounted.

Germany turned it up under their coach's orders. Sane and Musiala switched flanks. Havertz dropped deeper to link play. Fullkrug stayed as the target man.

In the 54th minute of the game, Czech Republic were forced into making a goal line clearance through Zima to keep themselves in the game.

Sane whipped in a cross which Wirtz volleyed on goal. Stanek was beaten comfortably, but Zima slid in, somehow clearing off the line.

Germany couldn't believe it.

In the 67th minute of the game, Germany finally made a sub, taking off Goretzka to introduce fresh legs for control.

Besides, time was ticking.

Germany needed a stimulant, a catalyst to kick them to life.

They found it in the 75th minute of the game, their breakthrough, and it was Niclas Fullkrug.

It came from persistence. Raum overlapped and swung in the 19th cross of the game. Fullkrug, bruised, battered and battling rose above Krejci and hammered a header in.

Germany 1-0 Czech Republic.

Finally.

The dam had broken. And now the flood threatened.

The final minutes of the game was absolute cinema.

It was Czech heart vs German steel.

The Czechs pushed forward. Schick had a sniff in the 89th minute, but the volley only hit the bar.

A long ball in stoppage time caused chaos, but Rudiger stood tall, booting it into the sky.

Germany weathered the storm.

They survived.

[FULL-TIME: Germany 1-0 Czech Republic]

It was a performance of maturity and grind from the Germans. Not their flashiest, but maybe their most important.

Niclas Fullkrug won the man of the match award with his 1 goal, 7 aerial duels won, and 3 shots.

Like the commentator said:

"Not every hero glides. Some bulldoze their way to glory".

Under fire despite the fact that his nation qualified, Julian Nagelsmann faced the media.

"Games like these make you stronger. The Czechs fought like lions. We found our moment. That's tournament football".

The Czech Republic coach also had a few words.

"We left everything out there. One moment, that's the difference at this level".