Qatar 2022 Day Eight: A clash of titans, Belgium’s struggles continue, and Canada eliminated.

The World Cup is now into its second week, and things are getting interesting. Here's a round up of day eight, and what each side in Group E or F needs to reach the last 16.

All to play for

Having received high praise for his brilliant substitutions as Japan came from behind to beat Germany on Wednesday, Hajime Moriyasu again tinkered with his side ahead of their game against Costa Rica. The 54 year old made five changes from the side which started against Germany, but they seemed to backfire.

The game lacked clear-cut chances, with Keylor Navas only forced to make the first save of the match in the second half. Yuki Soma’s free kick from the edge of the ‘D’ was poor before Costa Rica had a penalty appeal denied by English referee Michael Oliver.

The breakthrough came with nine minutes to play, Costa Rica, who lost 7-0 to Spain in their first game of the group, scoring with their first shot on target at the tournament. It was right back Keysher Fuller who got the goal from just inside the box, although Shuichi Gonda should have done a lot better.

Japan’s best chance fell in the 88th minute, Kaoru Mitoma driving down the left and cutting the ball back to Daichi Kamada, whose shot was saved by Navas before Costa Rica scrambled it away.

Costa Rica’s win keeps them in with a chance of reaching the last sixteen, and also eased the pressure on their final group stage opponents Germany. Heading into their match against Spain, the Germans now knew that they also wouldn’t be out, even if they lost.

Highly Anticipated

Before the tournament began, this fixture was picked out as one of the highlights of the group stage, as two of the eight countries who have won the (men’s) World Cup went toe-to-toe. With the Group E halfway through, it became even more interesting: although Germany would still be in with a chance of progressing if they lost to Spain, they knew that a point (or all three) could be crucial.

Spain’s youngsters took centre stage again, Gavi and Pedri impressing in midfield alongside the incredibly experienced Sergio Busquets, and they nearly led early on, when Dani Olmo’s strike from range was tipped onto the bar by Neuer.

Germany thought they had got their noses in front in the 40th minute, when Antonio Rudiger headed in from Joshua Kimmich’s free kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Spain had once again dominated the ball, and took a deserved lead just after the hour mark, and it was two of their more experienced players who linked up, substitute Alvaro Morata scoring for a second game straight from Jordi Alba’s inch-perfect low cross.

Germany also brought a striker off the bench who made an impact. Having spent years in the German second division, Niclas Füllkrug has taken to the top flight like a duck to water after winning promotion with Werder Bremen last season, scoring ten goals in 14 games, and attracting the attention of Hansi Flick. Having come off the bench for his first international cap and goal in a pre-tournament friendly against Oman less than two weeks ago, the number nine did the same again, earning his side a point with a powerful finish into the top left corner.

Despite earning a point, Germany will still need to beat Costa Rica, and hope Japan don’t beat Spain in order to get out of the group, whilst the Spaniards need just a point to guarantee progression, but could qualify even if they lose. Japan will need to win, and Costa Rica would go through if they beat Germany. It’s all to play for.

Mor-shock-o

Over the past few years, Belgium have had what many describe as a ‘golden generation’ and whilst they still have world class players such as Kevin De Bruyne, some members of the squad, are coming towards the end of their careers.

The Red Devils got lucky when they beat a much better Canada side on Wednesday, and they showed few signs of improvement as they lost to Morocco in the latest surprise of this World Cup.

This was only Morocco boss Walid Regragui’s sixth game in charge, but in every game prior, his side had kept a clean sheet. The challenge for Belgium therefore was to break down an organised defence and take advantage of any issues that could have arisen due to the African side’s last minute goalkeeper switch, Yassine Bounou having been replaced by Munir Mohamedi after the National Anthems had been sung, due to an eye issue.

Belgium got in behind the Moroccan defence with ease inside the first five minutes, but Michy Batshuayi’s attempt was about as good as it got for the Europeans. Instead, it was Morocco who looked most dangerous particularly from set pieces. In stoppage tiem at the end of the first half, Hakim Ziyech’s hit from wide right, level with the eighteen yard box went into the goal, but was disallowed by VAR after former Wolves defender Romain Saïss was deemed to have been interfering with play and offside.

The Atlas Stars continued to look the more likely side to score and did so in the 72nd minute, Abdelhamid Sabiri scoring from a free kick on the left hand side with what initially appeared to be a cross. Zakaria Aboukhlal sparked even wild celebrations when he rifled Hakim Ziyech’s cut back into the goal in stoppage time to put the game beyond doubt.

Disappointment for Canada

Canada got off to a flying start against 2018 finalists Croatia, Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies heading home from Tajon Buchanan's cross after 68 seconds to become the first man to score a World Cup goal for the country.

Unfortunately for John Herdman’s side, it was downhill from this historic moment, as they were outclassed by Croatia.

Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramarić squared the game from a tight angle in the 35th minute, and Hadjuk Split striker Marko Livaja put Croatia in front just before the break.

Jonathan Osorio went close from range for Canada in the second half, and Jonathan David’s shot was tipped over, but Kramarić’s second put the game out of reach for Canada.

Croatia had many chances for a fourth denied by Milan Borjan in the Canadian net, but there was nothing he could do to stop Lovro Majer firing the ball that had been squared to him by Mislav Orsić into the goal.

Despite a valiant effort, Canada are now out of there first World Cup in 36 years with a game still to play, and will hope to do better on home soil next time.

Croatia, level with Morocco on four points, will go through to the knockouts with a draw against Belgium who have three, for whom that would also be enough if Canada beat Morocco by three goals or more, but a win would guarantee the Belgians’ progression. A point will suffice for the Atlas Stars against Canada.