Sunday’s World Cup matches contained some highly anticipated scores, in one of two groups that were in action. The big match between Germany and Spain offered both emotion and entertainment.
Group E:
Japan – Costa Rica 0-1
Japan were flying high after their shock win over Germany in the opener, but Takuma Asano and his teammates quickly came down to earth. Against Costa Rica, the Japanese became clear favorites in the odds and then came confirmation that the team thrives best in the challenger role where they have space for their quick and precise counter-attacks. Right-back Keysher Fuller scored a winner for Costa Rica just before the end, setting the stage for a decisive final where four teams have the chance to progress.
Spain – Germany 1-1
Germany were in bad weather when Alvaro Morata sent Spain ahead after an hour. However, Germany boss Hansi Flick had saviors on the bench, and this time in the form of the Werder striker Bremen Niclas Füllkrug. The 29-year-old became Germany’s oldest debutant in over 20 years when he was unexpectedly included in the World Cup squad and even scored on his debut ahead of the Championship . Against Spain he entered the pitch with 20 minutes left, and after barely a quarter of an hour on the pitch he inexorably clinched the ball in the center behind Unai Simón in the Spain goal. It ended 1-1, so life is good in Group E heading into the final round.
Group F
Belgium – Morocco 0-2
The name of the Belgian star still shines, but now preferably on paper. The golden generation didn’t reach the heights we imagined, and now the World Cup may be over before it even started. Face Morocco in their final game of the group stage, and with a loss there, the fun could be over. Even Kevin de Bruyne was docile when it ended Sunday with a very surprising 0-2 defeat against Morocco. The boost for Belgium was that a new Romelu Lukaku got his first minutes as a substitute, and there are plenty of indications that the Inter striker will be seen from the start of the fateful match against the Croatia on Thursday.
Croatia – Canada 4-1
Alphonso Davies scored Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal, and he did it after just two minutes against Croatia. As against Wales, Canada came out percent, but this time too the team went out after the break. Croatia earned a deserved 4-1 victory, and Canada’s World Cup adventure is over for this time. The last two games of group F will be decisive anyway, when Morocco, Belgium and Croatia will settle for the first two places which allow access to the cup.
Monday toilet program:
Group G
11.00 Cameroon – Serbia
17.00 Brazil – Switzerland
Group H
14.00 South Korea – Ghana
20.00 Portugal – Uruguay
