📰 Table Of Contents
Accumulator of the day:
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Group E table:
Japan vs Spain
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Japan should be coming into this final matchday already through to the knockout stages, but have now left themselves with plenty of work to do.
In their opener, the Samurai Blue had seemingly done the hard part, coming from behind to beat Germany.
Ritsu Dōan equalising, before Takuma Asano smashed home the famous winner at the Khalifa International Stadium.
So, Hajime Moriyasu’s team went into Sunday’s match against Costa Rica, knowing a victory would see them advance.
However, despite dominating throughout, Japan were on the wrong end of a sucker-punch, with Costa Rica winning 1-0, thanks to their sole shot on target of the competition to date.
Four days earlier, Spain had demolished the Central American side 7-0, thanks to goals from six different scorers.
Luis Enrique’s team were then given an exponentially tougher examination by Germany at the weekend.
Álvaro Morata had seemingly won it for Spain, only for the Germans to find an equaliser towards the end.
So, la Roja need a point to go through, but will require a victory to top the group if Costa Rica, which is unlikely.
Similarly, Japan require a victory to guarantee qualification; if this is a draw and Germany win, it’ll be decided by goal difference.
Expect a nervy night in Al Rayyan.
Costa Rica vs Germany
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
None of Germany’s first 18 World Cup campaigns saw them eliminated in the group phase, reaching eight finals and winning four of them.
However, after the catastrophe of 2018, die Mannschaft are now staring back-to-back group stage exits in the face.
Germany’s campaign could hardly have got off to a worse start, beaten 2-1 by Japan, despite leading through İlkay Gündoğan’s penalty.
So, Hansi Flick’s team needed a result against Spain on Sunday night to keep alive their hopes of progression.
They looked set for another defeat until, eight minutes from time, substitute Niclas Füllkrug lashed home a point-earning equaliser.
The four-times world champions do kick off rock bottom of Group E, needing a victory to have any chance of advancing.
Opponents Costa Rica actually did Germany a huge favour at the weekend by beating Japan 1-0 in Al Rayyan.
This didn’t seem likely at all after los Ticos were demolished 7-0 by Spain, not managing a single shot on goal.
They became just the second team in World Cup history not to have a shot in a game, after Costa Rica themselves in 1990.
But then, with their sole shot on target of the entire tournament, Keysher Fuller’s effort snatched all three points against Japan.
One shot on target= three points.
So, amazingly, if Luis Fernando Suárez’s team win this one, they’ll be through, knowing a draw will do it, if Spain win simultaneously.
It’s fair to say Costa Rica rode their luck on Sunday, so Germany should be far too strong at Al-Bayt Stadium.
Whether or not that’ll be enough to take them through or not isn’t so clear-cut.
Group F table:
Croatia vs Belgium
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Just a few days ago, Belgium had one eight successive World Cup group matches, one short of the record, following their unconvincing victory over Canada.
However, that two-decade old streak was shattered on Sunday, as a shambolic Red Devils side were beaten 2-0 by Morocco.
Roberto Martínez’s team have been not good at any point in Qatar, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
This game is simply must win for Belgium, or 2018′s bronze medalists will be heading home early.
Croatia meantime start the night top of Group F, needing a point to secure qualification.
The Blazers came from a goal down to swat aside Canada 4-1 at the weekend.
Andrej Kramarić bagging a brace in that one, while Marko Livaja and Lovro Majer were also on the scoresheet.
So, as mentioned, a draw will see Zlatko Dalić’s team advance, at Belgium’s expense if Morocco don’t lose simultaneously.
However, if Morocco win, Croatia will also need to win to remain top of this section, thereby, probably, avoiding Spain in the last 16 in, what would be, a repeat of Euro 2020.
Given how hopeless Belgium have been so far, Croatia have to be the favourites to win here.
Canada vs Morocco
[TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
This is a huge game for Morocco as they bid to reach the knockout stages for the first time since Mexico ‘86.
The Atlas Lions famously beat Belgium on Sunday, thanks to late goals from Abdelhamid Sabiri and then Zakaria Aboukhlal.
So, having also held Croatia to a draw, Walid Regragui’s team are on four points, sat second at the start of the night.
That weekend victory was Morocco’s first at a World Cup since France ‘98, needing just a point from this clash to advance.
Canada meantime are making their first World Cup appearance for 36 years, but this’ll be the end of the line.
The Canucks have lost both matches so far, beaten 1-0 by Belgium and then 4-1 by Croatia.
They did at least take the lead in the latter, Alphonso Davies heading home after just 69 seconds, bagging Canada’s maiden goal at the tournament.
Now, despite being already eliminated, les Rouges will be desperate to claim their first-ever World Cup point, or possibly an historic win.
John Herdman’s team were wide open at the weekend, so this clash should guarantee goals.
