Play in Groups E and F continues on Sunday after an action-packed opening week at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Group E favorites Germany, four-time men’s world champions, have arrived a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Japan on Wednesday. Germany now have the daunting task of facing Spain, who looked like world champions in a 7-0 rout of upgraded Costa Rica.
Canada, playing in its first World Cup since 1986, has just won a hard-fought 1-0 defeat against Belgium. On Sunday they face Croatia, who come out a goalless draw against Morocco.
WORLD CUP 2022:Schedule, scores and latest news
MEET THE TEAMS:All players in the United States, Mexico and Canada
Follow every game: Live World Cup Results
DAILY SPORTS, DELIVERED:Get the best sports news delivered to your inbox!
Objective! Croatia take a 2-1 lead over Canada before half-time
Marko Livaja scored from the top of the box after a sloppy Canada defense to put Croatia ahead in the 44th minute, just eight minutes after the 2018 finalists found the equaliser.
It was the second game in a row that Canada conceded just before half-time, with Belgium also scoring in the 44th minute of their opener.
Objective! Andrej Kramarić equalizes for Croatia
Croatia had knocked on the door and had a goal called up for offside, but in the 36th minute a smart pass put Andrej Kramarić on goal and he made no mistake as he passed Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan for the equalization.
Objective! Alphonso Davies places Canada over Croatia
It took less than two minutes for Canada to take the lead, with Alphonso Davies heading in from Tajon Buchanan’s cross to beat Dominik Livaković.
The 22-year-old Bayern Munich’s goal was Canada’s first ever goal at the men’s World Cup, days after Davies missed a penalty in the first loss to Belgium.
Canada, Croatia starting lineups
A change for each team with kick-off scheduled for 11 a.m. ET at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Morocco has not backed down. In stoppage time, they doubled the score thanks to a substitute once again. Zakaria Aboukhlal fired a shot towards the roof of the goal, assisted by Ziyech. Courtois had no chance of stopping that. The victory is Morocco’s first World Cup victory since 1998, the third tournament victory overall.
Heading into the final round of matches, Morocco sit top of Group F. They are in first place for a Round of 16 appearance for the first time since 1986.
Belgium is desperately looking for an answer. Manager Roberto Martinez adds record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku, who has yet to feature at this World Cup due to injury.
After more than 70 minutes of pressure on Belgium, Morocco pierces again. And this one counts. Abdelhamid Sabiri curls a free-kick past Courtois as Al Thumama Stadium fills with cheers.
Morocco has yet to concede a goal at this World Cup and could be in first place to qualify for the round of 16.
While Bounou was originally on the squad roster as a starting keeper, after a solid shutout against Croatia, it’s El Kajoui between the post. There is some confusion as to why. The Moroccan FA announced the change on Twitter after the start of the game.
The Al Thumama stadium erupted with joy from Moroccan fans when Hakim Ziyech scored from a free kick, but the video review ruled out the goal for offside. The teams enter halftime tied in a scoreless tie.
Under pressure from Morocco, Courtois chooses to show his footwork. The goalkeeper, with the ball at his feet, caught Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri as he rushed in – a nervous moment from Courtois, but it worked in the end.
With a win, Belgium would secure a place in the round of 16. A draw between the two teams shifts the pressure to the final round of group stage matches.
Belgium (3-4-2-1): Courteous; Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Meunier; T. Hazard, Witsel, Onana, Castagne; E. Hazard, De Bruyne; Batshuayi
Morocco (4-3-3): Mounir El Kajoui; Mazraoui, Saiss, Aguerd, Hakmi; Amallah, Amrabat, Ounahi; Boufal, En-Nesyri, Ziyech
Batshuayi had a first chance for Belgium saved by Munir El Kajoui, followed by a few free-kick chances.
At fifa world cup, the easiest way to advance to the Knockout Stage is to simply win. But often this is not the case.
Enter the World Cup tiebreakers that determine the final 16 teams in the tournament. In the group stage, countries play the other three teams in their group once. The top two teams with the most points qualify for the knockout stage. A win is worth three points, a draw one point and a loss is worth nothing.
Scooby Axson explains what happens if the teams are level on points after the last games of the group stage.
Doha, Qatar- American football retired the emblem of the Islamic Republic of the Iranian flag on some of his social media posts to show his support for the protests in Iran.
A graphic of the World Cup Group B standings posted on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook on Saturday showed a united green, white and red flag. The banner on the United States men’s national team’s Twitter page, which lists the team’s group stage matches at the tournament, was also changed on Saturday to show the Iranian flag without the emblem of the team. Islamic Republic. After being in place for 24 hours, it was replaced on Sunday afternoon with the banner that US Soccer had used during the tournament.
The changes ahead of Tuesday’s game against Iran were intentional, with a U.S. soccer spokesperson saying it was the federation’s way of showing “its support for women in Iran who are fighting for basic human rights.”
The official Iranian flag could still be seen elsewhere on US Soccer’s social media accounts, including on its main webpage. The removal of the emblem was not meant to be a permanent protest, and future US Soccer posts are expected to use Iran’s official flag. —Nancy Armor
Keysher Fuller scored in the 81st minute to lift Costa Rica to a 1-0 win over Japan on Sunday, leaving both sides with three points after two games in Group E of the World Cup.
Japan have one more group game with Spain, and Costa Rica face Germany in their last group game. With a win, Japan could have almost completed a place in the knockout stage after a 2-1 upset against Germany in their opener. Costa Rica were beaten by Spain 7-0 in their first game and were just trying to survive. — Associated Press
Japan made a late push against Costa Rica, but goalkeeper Keylor Navas and the Costa Rican defense put their bodies on the line to retain the lead.
After collapsing in the first half to go scoreless, Costa Rica broke through late in the second half. Keysher Fuller shoots from the center of the box. Goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda mistimed his jump and the mistake cost Japan the first goal.
Japan made two half-time substitutions, adapting to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. Hiroki Ito entered the game as the third central defender and Takuma Asano added in attack.
In the 50th minute, Ko Itakura and Wataru Endo blocked shots. Defender Francisco Calvo made a sharp save to stop Endo’s attempt and keep the score tied.
For Costa Rica, things will be planned. Los Ticos are sitting back and preventing Japan from running behind their defense. For Japan, they will want to make some changes to get a score on the board and keep their knockout hopes alive.
- Possession: Japan 42%, Costa Rica 58%
- Strokes: Japan 2 (0 on target), Costa Rica 3 (0 on target)
Costa Rica are playing for pride after losing their opener 7-0 to Spain, while Japan look to prove victory over Germany was no fluke.
Japan, who pressured Germany early, trailed against Los Ticos, splitting the battle for possession (Japan 44%, Costa Rica 56%). Japan’s best attacking attempt came from Ritsu Doan, who burst into the box but his cross was crushed by goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Want to see the USA Men’s National Team come back against Iran, see what’s likely to be Lionel Messi’s last game for Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal or watch France defend the title? Add matches to your calendar and stay up to date with the latest tournament news.
These two European heavyweights had very different experiences in their respective first World Cup games. As Spain opened with a 7-0 victory in Costa Rica, Germany were on the wrong end of one of the most stunning results of this tournament, 2-1 loss to Japan. Die Mannschaft is in a precarious situation. They must get a result against Spain or find themselves on the verge of failing to make it out of the group stage at a second consecutive World Cup.
Time: Sunday, November 27 at 2 p.m. ET
Stadium: Al Bayt Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and peacock (spanish)
Croatia v. Canada — 11 a.m.
Playing his first World Cup since 1986, Canada put on an inspiring performance in a 1-0 loss against Belgium, third place at the 2018 World Cup. Now Canada must face 2018 finalists Croatia. Canadian Coach John Herdman added possible bulletin board material for the Croats following his team’s loss on Wednesday, saying: “I told (the players) they belong here and we will go and F Croatia.” Croatia is doing well a 0-0 draw against Morocco.
Time: Sunday, Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. ET
Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and peacock (spanish)
Belgium vs Morocco — 8:00 a.m.
Morocco earned a scoreless draw against Croatia – the 2018 World Cup finalists – in the opener, and are now targeting another team that made a deep run at the last World Cup, Belgium.
Time: Sunday, Nov. 27 at 8 a.m. ET
Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and peacock (spanish)
Japan vs. Costa Rica — 5 a.m.
After upsets Germany, the European power in their opening match of the World Cup, Japan now face a Costa Rican team that was kicked out of the field, 7-0, by Spain. With another victory on Sunday, Japan could secure their fourth qualification for the round of 16 in the last six World Cups.
Time: Sunday, November 27 at 5 a.m. ET
Stadium: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and peacock (spanish)
