by In a group headed by Germany and Spain, Japan surprisingly prevailed by beating La Roja, 2-1, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Germany was eliminated from the World Cup in the Group E phase for the second consecutive tournament. However, the Germans were not the only European powerhouse not to reach the knockout stage.
Here’s everything that happened at the World Cup on Thursday and what to expect on Friday.
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Japan’s players celebrate beating Spain, 2-1, in a World Cup Group E match at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on December 2, 2022.
(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
After all, Belgium’s so-called Golden Generation will not be able to ride into the sunset, as their goalless draw against Croatia knocked them out of the tournament. The game shouldn’t have ended goalless (Belgium had a xG of 3.7), but Belgium couldn’t take their chances, not even the assistants.
For Croatia, a draw was enough to advance, but not to win the group. That might not be a bad thing for them though, as Croatia will play Japan on Monday (10 a.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app) instead of Spain.
Morocco advanced to the knockout round for the first time since 1986 with their 2-1 win over Canada. His reward? Playing Spain on Tuesday (10 a.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
Japan’s dream came true on Thursday when they beat Spain and Germany beat Costa Rica, clearing the way for Japan to win the group. Had Japan not come from behind in the second half, Germany and Spain would have advanced. As winners of Group E, Japan will play Croatia on Monday (10 a.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
Germany made good on their part of the bargain by beating Costa Rica, 4-2, in their final group game, but needed Spain to win or draw against Japan to have any chance of advancing. By the time Germany have another chance to reach the round of 16, it will have been 12 years since they last appeared.
Japan’s players celebrate the equalizing goal during the World Cup Group E match against Spain at Khalifa International Stadium on December 1, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
(Sebastian Frej/MB Media)
WORLD CUP 2022: JAPAN SURPRISES SPAIN TO WIN GROUP E, SENDS GERMANY HOME
GOAL OF THE DAY
by ritsu doan rocket from the edge of the box sparked Japan’s incredible comeback.
ASSISTANCE OF THE DAY
The attendance for the day was not an attendance on the record, but Joshua Kimmich He played the ball so well that he deserves the honor. Leroy Sané’s one-touch assist for Niclas Füllkrug wasn’t bad either.
SAVING OF THE DAY
In the end, it counted for nothing, but Manuel NeuerThe point-blank save was as good as any save in the tournament thus far.
ESSENTIAL MOMENT
At halftime, it looked like the World Cup in Japan was drawing to a close. By the final whistle, the group had won. That is the magic of the group stage and the resistance of Samurai Blue.
South Korea vs. Portugal10 a.m. ET on *FOX
Portugal has already secured its place in the knockout round; they only need a win or a draw to win Group H. South Korea, on the other hand, need a win and Uruguay a loss against Ghana to advance on points. They can also advance if Uruguay beat Ghana, but only if they win a tiebreaker. A loss eliminates South Korea.
Ghana vs. Uruguay10 am ET on *FS1
Ghana is in the best position of all the teams below Portugal in Group H. If Ghana beat Uruguay, they are in. If they tie Uruguay, they’re still in unless South Korea beat Portugal and win the tiebreaker with Ghana. The only result that completely eliminates Ghana is a victory for Uruguay.
People gather around the official countdown clock showing the time remaining until the start of the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on November 25, 2021.
(AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
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Serbia vs. Switzerland2 pm ET on *FS1
Unless Cameroon gets their first win of the tournament against a very good team from Brazil, Serbia-Switzerland will be the game that decides the Group G runners-up. If Switzerland wins or draws, they will advance to the knockout stage. Serbia needs a win and Cameroon needs to lose to advance. If Serbia and Cameroon win, a tiebreaker will be played.
Cameroon vs Brazil2 pm ET on *FOX
Like Portugal, Brazil only needs a win or a draw to win their group, and even if they lose, they have a three-goal lead over Switzerland in the tiebreaker on goal difference. Brazil is in a good place; Cameroon needs a few things to move forward, starting with a win for Serbia against Switzerland.
