The search results have always been shown below the search bar after starting a search. But after you click on one item, the search results would move down and be shown along the bottom edge.
Yesterday we did not need to click “Return to results” to view the next result. So I think this is a huge step down in user friendliness.
I can confirm what you write, it disappeared on my side too, @MortenCopenhagen , and I agree that the card in the bottom are extremely useful when searching for something in Google Maps