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Japan and Morocco delivered historic wins in Qatar on Thursday, with Croatia additionally advancing to the final 16.
Day 12 of the World Cup in Doha noticed big disappointment for the German workforce, who crashed out of the event early for the second time in a row, whereas Japan surprised Spain 2-1, successful their group for the primary time of their historical past.
Morocco and Croatia additionally punched their ticket to the final 16. Canada and Belgium, nevertheless, shall be heading dwelling after mediocre showings.
Here’s a fast recap of all you must know from day 12 – Thursday, December 1 – of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Croatia vs Belgium
Belgium drew 0-0 with Croatia and neither workforce managed a single shot on-net within the first half.
Belgium’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stole the present with consecutive jaw-dropping saves, stopping Croatia’s Marcelo Brozovic and Luka Modric from giving their workforce the lead.
Belgium had been ranked second on the earth forward of the event however their journey to Qatar proved a disappointment with the workforce ending solely third of their group – a bitter finish for Belgium’s “golden era” of stars.
Croatia now advance to the final 16, the place they may face Japan at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.
Canada vs Morocco
Morocco slipped previous Canada with a 2-1 victory on the Al Thumama Stadium to succeed in the knockout stage for the primary time since 1986.
The historic win left the North African facet on the prime of Group F, with seven factors, and prompted wild celebrations from Morocco’s followers.
Hakim Ziyech scored first for Morocco within the fourth minute, adopted by a purpose by Youssef En Nesyri. Nayef Aguerd rallied Canada to a Fortieth-minute purpose however it was not sufficient to beat the mighty North African squad.
Canada’s early exit from Qatar marks a lacklustre end for the Canuck squad, dashing projections that the 2026 World Cup hosts might advance from the group stage after competing of their first event since 1986.
Morocco will play Spain at Training Metropolis Stadium in Al Rayyan on December 6.
Japan vs Spain
Japan scored twice early within the second half in a come-from-behind shocker that noticed them beat Spain 2-1. The shock win was sufficient for the high-flying and unpredictable Japanese squad to say the highest spot in Group E – the primary time they’ve performed so at a World Cup.
It was the workforce’s second massive upset of a soccer heavyweight, after flummoxing Germany 2-1.
Alvaro Morata’s opening purpose for Spain – his third of the event – within the recreation’s eleventh minute was not sufficient as Japan fiercely rallied at half-time, recording back-to-back targets from Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka.
Japan will sq. off with Croatia on December 5 at Al Janoub Stadium.
Costa Rica vs Germany
Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 however the victory was not sufficient to ship the four-time World Cup champions by. Largely because of Japan’s upset of Spain, the Al Bayt Stadium recreation turned out to be their final of the 2022 event.
It was a disappointing climax for the German squad after shedding to Japan and drawing 1-1 with Spain, marking solely the second time in historical past the workforce has not superior to the ultimate 16, after their dismal 2018 efficiency in Russia.
Kai Havertz, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane and Niclas Fullkrug transformed for Germany following a rapid-fire second half, through which each groups traded leads. Costa Rica was additionally eradicated from the competitors after a 7-0 trouncing by Spain and a 1-0 win over Japan.
Thursday’s contest was refereed by Stephanie Frappart, the primary lady to officiate a males’s World Cup match.
Have you ever missed out on any of the 2022 World Cup motion? Al Jazeera English has you lined. See which groups have progressed – and which of them are going dwelling – right here. Hoping to flex your soccer foresight? Look no additional than Kashef, our synthetic intelligence (AI) predictor, who is looking all of the matches in Qatar.
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