COSTA RICA 1, JAPAN 0
Japan was upended in a stunning 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in Group E’s Matchday 2 contest at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Less than one week after Japan stunned Germany with a 2-1 win, it was the Japanese who were taken by surprise. Japan was utterly dominant in possession of the ball, total shots (13 to four), shots on goal (three to one), and corners (five to zero), but it was all for naught. Costa Rica, which didn’t have a single set piece all game, scored the game-winner on a Keysher Fuller goal in the 81st minute. Japan was whistled for a whopping 22 fouls, compared to just nine for the Costa Ricans, who showed much better quality and form in both their back line defense and goalkeeping on Sunday. Both Japan and Costa Rica now enter their final group play contests with three points apiece, setting up a wide-open group entering Dec. 1 when Germany plays Costa Rica, and Spain takes on Japan to decide which two qualify for the knockout stage. Spain and Germany are seemingly back in the driver’s seat now.

MOROCCO 2, BELGIUM 0
The Belgians fell victim to yet another 2022 World Cup shocker as Morocco defeated No. 2-ranked Belgium 2-0 at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The Red Devils of Belgium dominated time of possession in the match (67% to 33%) but were not effective in their offensive attack. Despite holding the ball for just one-third of the game, it was Morocco who drew even with Belgium in total shots (10) and actually usurped the Belgians in shots on goal (four to three). Belgium did register nine corner kicks to just one for Morocco, but poor execution near the net remained a recurring theme for this aging Belgium side. Romain Saïss scored on a volley in the 73rd minute to put the Moroccans up 1-0. Zakaria Aboukhlal added another goal for the upstart Lions of Atlas in the second minute of stoppage time, to seal the victory and three points and give Morocco a boost in the Group F standings. Morocco now has a tremendous qualifying opportunity in its final group match against Canada on Thursday, Dec. 1, while Belgium will attempt to lick its wounds and avoid a massively disappointing early exit if it cannot beat 2018 runner-up Croatia on Matchday 3. Sunday’s Group F upset marked the first World Cup victory for the North Africans since beating Scotland in 1998. The Moroccan defense has now pitched a shutout in five straight games since coach Walid Regregui took over the reins.

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CROATIA 4, CANADA 1
The Canadians became the second nation eliminated from advancing to the knockout stage following a 4-1 crushing defeat to 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Canada took a very early 1-0 lead after an Alphonso Davies header in the second minute of action, marking the first-ever goal for the Canadians in World Cup history. However, the Croatians countered with back-to-back first-half goals in the 36th and 44th minutes. Andrej Kramaric scored twice, once in the 36th minute to make it 1-1, then again in the 70th minute to give Croatia a commanding 3-1 lead. Marko Livaja and Lovro Majer also added goals in the 44th and 94th-minute markers, respectively, as Croatia looked much more explosive offensively than it did in its opening 0-0 draw against Morocco. Canada possessed the ball for 52% of the match, although a majority came in the early stages of the first half. Croatia finished the contest with the lead in total shots (13 to eight), shots on goal (10 to two), and corners (six to two). Thursday’s Matchday 3 clash between Belgium and Croatia could ultimately decide the second nation to qualify for the knockout stage from Group F, as Morocco simply needs a draw to advance in its match against No. 41-ranked Canada. If Canada were to upset Morocco, however, then both Belgium and Croatia could each still advance with a draw here.

SPAIN 1, GERMANY 1
Spain and Germany played to an intense and wildly entertaining 1-1 draw at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, on Sunday. Spain’s Álvaro Morata broke a 0-0 tie and gave the Spanish a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 62nd minute, but Germany was able to avoid elimination by countering with a Niclas Füllkrug score in the 83rd minute to eventually force the 1-1 draw. Spain dominated time of possession like usual, holding the ball for 64% of the contest compared to just 36% for Germany. The Germans, however, were much more efficient and pragmatic with their chances. Germany bested Spain in total shots (11 to seven) and shots on goal (four to three) while nearly drawing even in corner kick chances (five to six). La Roja still needs at least a draw against Japan to ensure they advance to the knockout stage when they face No. 24-ranked Japan on Thursday, Dec. 1 on Matchday 3. On the other hand, Germany needs a win outright over Costa Rica to remain in the Group E qualifying race. Germany hasn’t gone winless for three consecutive World Cup matches since 1962, according to ESPN, and it will need a victory over the Costa Ricans to avoid snapping that streak and avoiding an early exit.

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