Day 8 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar did not disappoint as the upsets continued and fans were treated to arguably the best game on paper of the group stage with Spain facing Germany. The day kicked off with Costa Rica's surprising 1-0 win over Japan before Morocco outplayed Belgium to the tune of a 2-0 victory. Croatia then bounced Canada from the competition with a 4-1 win before the Spanish and Germans played out a dramatic and competitive 1-1 draw.
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World Cup scores, schedule
Sunday, Nov. 27
Japan 0, Costa Rica 1
Belgium 0, Morocco 2
Croatia 4, Canada 1
Spain 1, Germany 1
On paper, Japan were expected to cruise past Costa Rica, especially after the momentum built from beating Germany. Belgium, also, seemed like they would bounce back from a poor display against Canada. Yet neither showed up, suffering losses that will only add to the nerves for Matchday 3. Japan had 13 shots to Costa Rica's four but saw Keylor Navas step up big in goal.
For Belgium, they dominated possession but could not convert as Morocco scored twice in the final 20 minutes to put Roberto Martinez's team in a precarious situation against Croatia in their final match. As things stand, Belgium are likely going to need to beat them to advance. A draw would only be enough if Canada crush Morocco to see the Canadians overcome their goal difference, which compared to Moroccos is minus-three.
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It's hard not to feel bad for Canada after their first two games. They thoroughly outplayed Belgium and then scored in the second minute via Alphonso Davies to take a surprising lead on Croatia. But from there, the experience of the Europeans was evident, as was the inexperience of the Canadians. The midfield was clearly overmatched by Luka Modric and company, and that left them chasing a game that in the end would not be all that close.
But it's important to note that there were some really positive signs for the North Americans who were back at the World Cup four years earlier than expected. They are heading in the right back to potentially make noise in four year's time, and this was just a well-earned test run.
They'll be better the next time the tournament rolls around, and this learning experience will teach them plenty.
There is still plenty of work to be done, but Germany now find themselves in a great spot to advance to the round of 16 after the 1-1 draw with Spain. Niclas Fullkrug, who was playing in the German second division just last season, was the hero off the bench with his well-taken strike in the 83rd minute.
Despite not having much of the ball, as expected, Germany did create more total shots and more shots on frame than Luis Enrique's team, nearly winning it late on a run by Leroy Sane.
As things stand, Germany remain in last place in Group E with one point. But if they beat Costa Rica as expected, they'll go through as long as Japan don't beat Spain. In that situation, it would request Germany to overcome the eight-goal lead Spain have in terms of goal differential.
A brilliant game ends with everyone still alive in Group E. Spain's destiny is in their hands. Germany's is not -- they're bottom of the group -- but they will feel a lot better after getting that late goal.
Sane drives in from the right flank as he's been doing so well so far. His pass finds Musiala, who is aiming to turn with his touch but realises Fullkrug is about to take it off him. He clears out quite effectively, allowing the Werder Bremen striker to thump the ball home.
A devastating run down the right by the Bayern youngster, once more Germany's best player as he was against Japan. He tries to replicate Alba's assist for Morata but a Spanish boot gets to the ball just after. Moments later Sane is teeing up Musiala with a nice reverse pass but No.14 can't strike the ball wide enough. You can't shake the suspicion that if Germany do get anything from this game, it'll be because of Musiala.
What a beautiful finish it is by Morata! And quite the change by Luis Enrique as well.
A quite sensational finish by Morata, darting across at the near post and letting the ball run along him before flicking the ball beyond Neuer. This intriguing game might just have burst into life.
You could sense in these opening eight minutes -- and maybe on occasion in the first half -- that Spain might get a bit better with a focal point in attack. They'll be hoping that Alvaro Morata can offer them that as he enters the fray in place of Ferran Torres.
His entry opens the game but in Germany's favor. Kimmich presses well on the edge of the box, winning the ball and then getting it back from Gundogan. His first time effort is well saved by Unai Simon, who makes amends.
Germany try to pierce the Spanish high line early on but Muller can't quite reach a ball over the top. They're going to need to try more of that but at the moment they look a little way behind the Spanish team.
No goals but plenty to enjoy from this game, which ends with quite the warning for Spain as Rudiger once more gets on a set piece, this time not quite managing to get the ball square for a team mate to turn in. Still the balance of play points firmly towards this game being firmly in Spain's control. The question for Luis Enrique is whether that can be turned into goals.
Germany win a free kick down the right flank and get the defenders up. Rudiger has all the room in the world to meet the delivery and flick it in, Unai Simon doesn't have a chance. However VAR takes a look and quickly concludes that the Real Madrid center back had gone too soon and was in an offside position when the cross was delivered. No goal.
Olmo might have been offside in the build up anyway, the linesman certainly thinks so, but what a miss that was from Torres, who contrives to lift the ball over the bar from level with the penalty spot after a low cross from the RB Leipzig man had teed him up wonderfully. Germany really paid the price for their aggressive press there, one quick pass down the left cutting them apart. Luckily the defensive line was right enough to catch Olmo.
Twice in a matter of minutes we see sloppy clearances from Unai Simon, the second in particular a disastrous pass to Gnabry just outside the Spain area. He opens up his body to aim at the far left corner, hitting it rather sweetly but just wide.
The Spanish goalkeeper isn't alone in clusmy passing out from the back, Neuer also giving it to a Spanish player in a dangerous position. They work the ball out from the left to Torres on the opposite flank and it takes good defending from Raum to block the shot. Why do they do they do this, you might wonder if you're new to football. Simply put, the good of getting possession that moves through the line and allows you to keep the ball (rather than aimlessly punting it long) outweighs the infrequent risks and disasters.
After those trying early moments Flick's side are starting to get back in this game, weaving some passes up towards Musiala and Muller. Gnabry had half a chance earlier but Unai Simon did very well to close what was already a tight angle.
A thumper from Olmo outside the box and what a save that is from Neuer, getting strong gloves behind a shot he must have seen late. The ball flies onto the crossbar and out to safety, it moved so fast that it looked as if it had simply burst through the space-time continuum.
Spain XI: Unai Simon; Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Alba; Busuqets, Gavi, Pedri; Asensio, Olmo, Torres
Germany XI: Neuer; Kehrer, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Goretzka, Gundogan; Gnabry, Muller, Musiala
One game in and the national press are already seeing worrying parallels between this World Cup and the last one, where as defending champions Germany crashed out at the group stage amid a tumult of off-field issues. In 2018, it was the photo opportunity with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and two Germany internationals, this time it was the decision to cover their mouths in the pre-match photo in what appeared to be a protest against FIFA's banning of the "OneLove" armband.
It was a gesture that won admirers but also critics with former midfielder Lothar Matthaus saying, "There was too much drama in the build-up, too many issues that were more important than football, much like four years ago. That sort of thing disturbs your concentration, it distracts – and thus means you may lack the crucial 5 or 10%."
There is quite the positive atmosphere seeping out of La Furia Roja training camp in recent days, typified by Luis Enrique joking on his Twitch streaming channel about the late night activities of his players whilst they are away at the tournament. He has no concerns and how could he when six of his players found the net in a comprehensive victory?
The challenge for him might well be quelling expectations after a win against a Costa Rica side who did not reach their best level, one which still would have been some way off Spain's. In particular, the on ball pressure which Los Ticos offered will be nothing compared to the intensity that Germany can deliver.
This was an important goal as it gives Croatia a better goal difference than Morroco atop Group F.
Modric and Miller have had a coming together and both will receive yellow cards for the exchange. Can't lose control late if you're Croatia with a chance to win the group now.
Leaving the match for Cavallini David has struggled to get anything going in the middle. As far as he goes Canada goes which seems like at the World Cup won't be very far.
Just like that, Croatia may have delivered the knockout punch as they had just too much time yet again. Where has Canada's defending been?
Croatia are an excellent team at game management and Canada are playing into their hands so far during the match. Borjan has been erratic with his distribution and it feels like Canada are trying to score both goals that they need at the same time. If they play their game, the goals will come but gotta slow the tempo down.
Canada and Croatia are trading shots back and forth. It took a big save from Borjan to stop Modric from scoring but it now feels like Canada can score a goal after almost falling apart at the end of the first half. Canada has won their first corner of the game after Osorio created a great chance.
Osorio and Kone are entering for Larin and Eustaquio. After just recovering from an injury, maybe it was some agitation for Eustaquio there. But this change will push Davies higher with David going back into the middle.
They tried to set back after scoring instead of delivering the knockout punch to Croatia and paid for it. Croatia's midfield is settled now and Canada is allowing them right through. It's the second time that Canada has fallen apart right before the half and it could be a critical one as a loss in this match will see them eliminated from contention for the last 16.
It's Livaja this time as Canada's defense collapsed allowing Croatia massive holes to play through. Borjan had absolutely no chance.
Croatia finally cuts through Canada's defense as Hutchinson loses his man and we're level. Croatia are back on the pace of the match too.
It looks like it was on Livaja for the flag coming up but that was Croatia's first sign of life during the match. More of that, please.
Croatia are dominating possession but Canada's press is turning them over time and time again. Davies has been everywhere as while he's a wing back according to the lineup, he's positionless on the pitch. Popping up at striker and in central midfield, Croatia can't keep tabs on Canada's star man. They may need to toss on another midfielder to try and gain control of the match as it's all Canada.
Cyle Larin was just off but Croatia has no answers for Tajon Buchanan who has been electric down the right flank. Already with an assist on Davies' goal and then almost picking up another he has already been more effective crossing than against Belgium where he was playing as more of a wing back. Croatia will need to get some help defense or this will get out of hand quickly as Canada are coming at them 100 miles per hour.
Davies also gets redemption for his penalty miss quickly as everything is coming up Canuck in the first 15.
