FIFA World Cup: Japan, Spain, Morocco, Croatia Progress

Thursday 1 December 2022 saw the third group of eight teams, from Groups E and F, play their third and last group matches in FIFA World Cup 2022.

For half the teams would be their last matches of this year’s tournament; the others would be progressing to the knock-out phase.

Group E

Both matches kicked off simultaneously: Germany played Costa Rica and Spain played Japan.

If Spain were to avoid defeat, they would go through; if Japan won, they would most likely go through. If Germany won, they would (probably) finish in second. So, it was all based in hypotheticals…

Interestingly, Stéphanie Frappart became the first female referee in the FIFA World Cup finals, heading an all-female trio of officials on the pitch.

As expected, Germany imposed their superior skills on Costa Rica from the off. On 7 minutes, Musiala had a mazy run through the Central American team’s box but could not get in a shot on goal; a minute later, Müller had a great opportunity, but again, no end result. On 10 minutes, Raum had a great break down the left and crossed for Gnabry to slot home despite the attempts of Navas in the Costa Rican goal. 1-0 to Germany. In the other game, almost simultaneously, Azpilicueta crossed for Morata to score past the Japanese goalkeeper, Gonda. Spain 1, Japan 0. Both teams had scored early and both could run up big score. But more importantly, if the scores remained the same, both Spain and Germany would progress, with Japan and Costa Rica heading home. Costa Rica had slowed down the ball and were content to pass the ball across the pitch, looking for the opportunity to thread the ball through a gap. Germany, to their credit, were not doing things differently in that regard, but they were moving the ball quicker and finding space into which to move. On 28 minutes Costa Rica had a break against the run of play with Aguilera crossing the ball into the German box, frustratingly just behind the rapidly advancing Campbell. On 30 minutes, Germany were awarded their 6th corner of the game, but the Costa Rica defence cleared the danger with the minimum of fuss. Action was end-to-end with Costa Rica gaining in confidence. On 35 minutes, Musiala had another run at the Costa Rican defence but he could not get his shot on target. On 44 minutes, Costa Rica had a fabulous opportunity: Rudiger made a terrible mistake in the German defence and let in Fuller, who scored in Costa Rica’s previous game, but his power shot was tipped over by Neuer in the German goal. HT Germany 1 - Costa Rica 0; and Spain 1 - Japan 0. If the scores remained the same at the end of the game, Spain and Germany would progress. However, Japan had something to say about things: Doan, on as a second-half substitute, got a goal back for Japan just 3 minutes into the second half to bring the tie to 1-1. But they were not finished there… on 51 minutes, Tanaka put Japan ahead 2-1. So, Germany would be going home as things stood, with Japan joining Spain in the knock-out phase. Back in the other game, though, Tejeda equalised for Costa Rica on 58 minutes. 1-1. And 12 minutes later, Vargas put Costa Rica ahead after grabbing a really scrappy goal. But they all count. 2-1 to Costa Rica who would be joining Japan in the knock-phase, with both Germany and Spain going home. Incredible! However, the scoreline changed again 3 minutes later, with Havertz equalising for Germany. 2-2, which meant that Spain would be going through at the expense of Costa Rica. Germany had to rely on Spain scoring twice as their fate was out of their hands. 10 minutes to go and Costa Rica were fighting for another goal. Musiala was creating havoc for Germany with his dribbling but his final ball was letting him down. On 84 minutes, Havertz git on the end of a cross and got his second goal of the evening. 3-2 in the game for Germany but they would not be going through unless Spain scored. They Germany thought they scored again, though substitute Füllkrug, but there was a strong suspicion for offside; however, the goal was given. 4-2 to Germany, but they still needed Spain to equalise against Japan - 7 minutes of added tine there, and 10 minutes of added time in the Germany - Costa Rica game. The final whistle blew in the Japan - Spain game with Japan winning 2-1. That meant that Germany could not qualify, but theoretically Costa Rica could if they got 2 goals. So Japan had qualifies but Spain had to wait. Just a couple of minutes later and the final whistle blew. Germany 4 - Costa Rica 2.

Germany went out at the group stages for the second World Cup in a row and join the likes of Denmark who had also failed to qualify for the knock-out phase; at least they reached the finals, unlike teams such as Italy who failed to qualify for the tournament for the second time in a row.

So, Japan go through to the knockout phase as Group E Winners (E1) and Spain as Group E Runners-up (E2).

Group F

Both matches kicked off simultaneously: Belgium played Croatia and Canada played Morocco.

Permutations: Belgium probably had to win to go through as they would go above Croatia. Meanwhile, Morocco needed just a draw to go through.

Croatia started with an unchanged team from their game against Canada. Belgium, meanwhile, made 4 changes with Kevin de Bruyne taking over as captain from Eden Hazard who did not start. Croatia started on the front foot with Perisic having a shot on goal within the first 10 seconds; they were closing down Belgium’s players whenever they got the ball. However, on 10 minutes, Belgium’s Carrasco had a close-range shot blocked at the near post by Livakovic, Belgium’s goalkeeper. Just 2 minutes later, de Bruyne broke up the middle and laid on the ball for Mertens whose shot was too high. On 14 minutes, Croatia were awarded a penalty for a foul on Kramaric. Modric to the spot kick who was facing his Real Madrid teammate in the Belgium goal, Courtois. But VAR intervened before the penalty could be taken, asking the referee to review a possible offside in the lead-up to the decision. No penalty! Croatia continued to pile on the pressure, with Belgium content to rely on counter-attacks. Meanwhile, in the other match, Ziyech had given Morocco the lead against Canada in the 4th minute, following a goalkeeping howler from Milan Borjan, with En-Nesyri doubling their lead on 23 minutes. Canada did get a goal back just before the break thanks to an own-goal from Aguer. 2-1 at HT to Morocco. And Croatia and Belgium was still goalless. Belgium needed to score, otherwise Croatia and Morocco would be progressing. In the second half, Morocco were happy to sit back and soak up pressure with Hutchinson going closest with a header against the bar. Belgium, 2nd in the FIFA world rankings and 3rd in Russia 4 years ago, could not find the net despite bringing on Romelu Lukaku as a second-half substitute who had numerous chances but could convert none of them. Neither game had any goals in the second half so Belgium were out!

So, Morocco go through to the knockout phase as Group F Winners (F1) and Croatia as Group F Runners-up (F2).

The last-16 pairings to play this Monday 5 December are Morocco v Spain and Japan v Croatia.

Meanwhile, today’s matches will see the last teams, in Groups G and H in action in the fourth and last day of the last group matches. In Group G, Brazil play Cameroon at the same time that Switzerland play Serbia. In Group H, Ghana play Uruguay at the same time that Portugal play South Korea.