After an action-packed opening week at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, play in Groups E and F continues on Sunday.
One of the favorites in Group E – four-time men’s World Cup champions Germany – lost 2-1 to Japan on Wednesday. Germany now face Spain, who looked like world beaters in a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica.
Canada, playing in its first World Cup since 1986, is coming off a tough 1-0 loss against Belgium. On Sunday, they face Croatia, who are coming off a goalless draw against Morocco.
World Cup 2022:Schedule, scores and latest news.
Meet the teams:Every player from the US, Mexico and Canada
Follow each match: World Cup Live Scores
Daily Sports, Delivered:Get the best sports news in your inbox!
In the FIFA World Cup, the easiest way to advance to the knockout stage is simply to win. But, most of the time, this is not the case.
Enter the World Cup tiebreakers that determine the last 16 teams in the tournament. During the group stage, countries play the other three teams in their group once. The top two teams with the most points advance to the knockout stage. A win is worth three points, a draw is worth one point and a loss is worth nothing.
Scooby Axon explains what happens if the teams are tied on points after the final group stage games.
DOHA, Qatar – American Soccer has removed the Islamic Republic of Iran flag from some of its social media posts to show support for the protests in Iran.
A graphic of the World Cup Group B standings posted on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook on Saturday showed a simple green, white and red flag. The banner on the US men’s national team’s Twitter page, which lists the team’s group stage games in the tournament, was also changed on Saturday to feature the Iranian flag without the Islamic Republic’s insignia. After 24 hours, it was changed back Sunday afternoon to the banner that US Soccer was using during the tournament.
The changes ahead of Tuesday’s game against Iran were intentional, with a U.S. Soccer spokesman saying it was the federation’s way of showing “support for women fighting for basic human rights in Iran.”
The official Iranian flag can still be seen elsewhere on US Soccer’s social media accounts, including on its main webpage. The removal of the sign was not intended as a permanent protest, and future US Soccer posts are expected to use Iran’s official flag. – Nancy Armour
Kescher Fuller scored in the 81st minute to give Costa Rica a 1-0 win over Japan on Sunday, giving the two teams three points after two games in World Cup Group E.
Japan has one group match against Spain remaining and Costa Rica will face Germany in their final group match. With a victory, Japan could have advanced to the knockout stages after beating Germany 2-1 in their opening match. Costa Rica were beaten 7-0 by Spain in their first game and were just trying to survive. – Concerned Institution
Japan made a late push against Costa Rica, but goalkeeper Keylor Navas and the Costa Rican defense put their bodies on the line to preserve the lead.
After a scoreless first half, Costa Rica broke the deadlock late in the second half. Casher Fuller shoots from the middle of the box. Goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda made a diving error that cost Japan the opening goal.
Japan made two substitutions at halftime, adjusting to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. Hiroki Ito entered the game as the third center back and Takuma Asano added to the attack.
In the 50th minute, Ko Itakura and Wataru Ando both had shots blocked. Defender Francesco Calvo made a lunging save to keep out Ando’s effort and keep the score level.
For Costa Rica, things are going to plan. Los Ticos are sitting back and preventing Japan from running behind their defense. For Japan, they will want to make some changes to get the score on the board and keep their Round of 16 hopes alive.
Halftime Stats:
- Occupancy: Japan 42%, Costa Rica 58%
- Shots: Japan 2 (0 on target), Costa Rica 3 (0 on target)
Costa Rica are playing for pride after losing their opening game 7-0 to Spain, while Japan are looking to prove a win against Germany.
Japan, which had put early pressure on Germany, held back against Los Ticos, splitting the battle for possession (Japan 44%, Costa Rica 56%). Japan’s best attacking effort came from Ritsu Doan, who broke into the box, but his cross was stamped out by goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Want to see the US Men’s National Team win or homecoming match against Iran, see Lionel Messi’s last outing with Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo with Portugal, or France’s title defense? Add matches to your calendar and stay up-to-date with the latest tournament news.
These two European heavyweights had very different experiences in their respective opening World Cup games. Spain opened with a 7-0 win over Costa Rica, Germany were on the wrong end of another impressive result of the tournament, losing 2-1 to Japan. Die Mannschaft is in a critical situation. They must get a result against Spain or be on the brink of not making it out of the group stage for a second World Cup in a row.
Time: Sunday, November 27 at 2pm ET
Stadium: Al Bait Stadium
How to watch: Stream (Spanish) on FS1 and Telemundo or fuboTV and Peacock
Croatia vs. Canada — 11 a.m
Playing their first World Cup since 1986, Canada produced an impressive performance at the 2018 World Cup, defeating third-placed Belgium 1-0. Now, Canada will face the 2018 runner-up, Croatia. Canadian coach John Herdman added some potential bulletin board content. to Croatia after his team’s defeat on Wednesday, saying, “I told (the players) this is where they belong and we’re going to Croatia.” Croatia are coming off a 0-0 draw against Morocco.
Time: Sunday, Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. ET
Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
How to watch: Stream (Spanish) on FS1 and Telemundo or fuboTV and Peacock
Belgium vs. Morocco — 8 a.m
Morocco earned a scoreless draw against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia in the opener, and now have their sights set on another squad that made a deep run at the last World Cup, Belgium.
Time: Sunday, Nov. 27 at 8 a.m. ET
Stadium: Al Thummama Stadium
How to watch: FS1 and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock (Spanish)
Japan vs. Costa Rica — 5 p.m
Time: Sunday, Nov. 27 at 5 a.m. ET
Stadium: Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium
How to watch: Stream (Spanish) on FS1 and Telemundo or fuboTV and Peacock
