📰 Table Of Contents
Accumulator of the day:
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Spain vs Germany
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Germany are on the brink of World Cup group stage elimination…. again!
On matchday one, die Mannschaft looked set to kick off with a win over Japan when İlkay Gündoğan cooly slotted home a penalty.
However, they failed to double their advantage; Jamal Musiala dribbled past about six players but couldn’t find the finish to match.
Then came a double sucker-punch; the Samurai Blue equalising 15 minutes from time, before snatching the win mere moments later.
Germany went 80 years (1938-2018) without exiting in the World Cup’s first round, but are now on the brink of doing just that at successive tournaments.
Permutations can be complicated but, here, they could hardly be simpler for Hansi Flick’s team; they must win.
La Roja enjoyed their biggest-ever World Cup win, demolishing Costa Rica 7-0 in Doha.
Ferran Torres bagged a brace, while Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, Gavi, Carlos Soler and Álvaro Morata also netted.
In fairness, Costa Rica were shambolic, but that’s quite the warning Luis Enrique’s team sent out to their rivals.
So, Spain will book their place in the round of 16 with victory, concurrently eliminating Germany in the process.
Die Mannschaft are winless in five competitive meetings with la Roja, dating back to Euro ‘88, hammered 6-0 when they last met in the Nations League two years ago.
This Sunday night heavyweight bout at Al-Bayt Stadium is not to be missed.
Croatia vs Canada
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Canada showed on matchday one that they can compete at this level, now desperate to claim their just rewards.
The Canucks’ 36-year World Cup exile came to an end on Wednesday night, although their wait for a first goal at the tournament goes on.
John Herdman’s team were beaten 1-0 by Belgium, wasting umpteen chances, none more clear-cut than Alphonso Davies’ penalty that was saved.
So now, if Canada are to avoid an early exit, they really need a result from this one.
Meanwhile, the less said about Croatia’s bore goalless draw against Morocco the better.
Zlatko Dalić’s team were marginally the better side, although it was a game of few chances.
All of this suggests those inside Khalifa International Stadium will witness a low-scoring affair, albeit one in which Canada will fancy their chances of a result.
Belgium vs Morocco
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Belgium made a winning start on Wednesday night, but looked anything but an unbeatable force.
The Red Devils ousted Canada 1-0, Michy Batshuayi scoring on the cusp of half time, but were thoroughly outplayed throughout.
Their xG figure stood at 0.86, compared to Canada’s 2.83, emphasising that this was very much a smash and grab.
On one hand, many are suggesting that Roberto Martínez’s team won’t go very far in this competition while, on the other, they could rubber stamp top spot with a game to spare.
Morocco though will have analysed that game, and will be encouraged that they can spring a surprise.
Walid Regragui’s side do have a point on the board, holding Croatia to a scoreless stalemate in Al Khor.
The Atlas Lions haven’t got out of their group since Mexico ‘86, with their last World Cup win coming against Scotland at France ‘98.
Morocco will beleive they can change both of those facts, so don’t rule out an upset at Al-Thumama Stadium.
Japan vs Costa Rica
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After, arguably, Japan’s best-ever World Cup win, can they take another gigantic step towards the knockout phase?
On Wednesday, the Samurai Blue took on four-times world champions Germany, and most expected them to suffer defeat.
This looked the most likely outcome on the hour mark, with the Germans in front via a penalty, and having sqaundered numerous opportiunties to double the advantage.
However, with 15 minutes to go, Japan found an equaliser; Takumi Minamino’s shot parried, with Ritsu Dōan firing home the rebound.
Then, seven minutes later, Kō Itakura pumped a free-kick up-field, Takuma Asano controlled expertly before lashing in, what turned out to be, the winner.
The last time Japan took to the field at Khalifa International Stadium, they beat Australia in the 2011 Asian Cup Final; a home from home.
In the context of this group, a victory here for Hajime Moriyasu’s team would mathematically see them through, unless Germany beat Spain later on.
Given that the 2010 and 2014 world champions are also in this section, what a monumental achievement that would be.
Based on Costa Rica’s matchday one showing, a Japanese victory in Al Rayyan seems incredibly likely.
Los Ticos were hammered 7-0 by Spain in their group opener, suffering the biggest defeat of their 101 year history.
Just two teams in World Cup history have not had a shot in a game since records began: Costa Rica on Wednesday and Costa Rica vs Brazil in 1990.
Most expected Luis Fernando Suárez’s side to finish bottom of Group E, possibly pointless, buy few could’ve anticipated they’d be that easy to swat aside.
Japan are unbeaten against Costa Rica, winning four of five meetings, and this trend will almost certainly continue at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
