We can be more clear with the extension of the given example.
Before PHP Version 8.1
<?php
  $a = 1;
  $globals = $GLOBALS;
  $globals['a'] = 2;
  echo $a; // 2
  echo $globals['a']; // 2
  echo $GLOBALS['a'];  // 2
?>
After PHP Version 8.1
<?php
  $a = 1;
  $globals = $GLOBALS;
  $globals['a'] = 2;
  echo $a; // 1
  echo $globals['a']; // 2
  echo $GLOBALS['a'];  // 1
?>