These are the Group E and F teams that will advance to the knockout stage
A few giants have fallen 🌟⚽️🏟️🏆
This World Cup continues to be full of unpredictable matches. Some of the top international teams coming into this tournament have underperformed. Then there have been teams such as #22 Morocco that were believed to have close to no chance, instead, proving the exact opposite to be true about them. Could #2 Belgium and #11 Germany somehow survive the group stage after failing to stay near the top of their groups?
Before we discuss details about Group E and F, let me first bring to your attention the fact that I've been writing posts like this one about every single World Cup match. Yesterday's article featured:
Australia🇦🇺 vs Denmark🇩🇰
Tunisia🇹🇳 vs France🇫🇷
Poland🇵🇱 vs Argentina🇦🇷
Saudi Arabia🇸🇦 vs Mexico🇲🇽
You can always go back and see that post if you need a refresher on what has been happening.
I knew that Croatia and Belgium would have a heated exchange. Both teams were fighting for a chance to advance. Canada was already eliminated before their final match. Although Spain had already advanced, many still wondered if Japan/Costa Rica/Germany would be the second team to move on from this group.
Let's recap four more games from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar...
Croatia🇭🇷 vs Belgium🇧🇪
My Prediction: Croatia
Croatia and Belgium both were aiming to win this match and advance to the knockout stage. Right as the first whistle blew, both teams went full speed. It was a very tough match for both nations. Croatia took a free kick in the 15th minute which resulted in a hard foul by Belgium inside of the box. After checking with VAR for a possible offsides call against Croatia, it was confirmed that a penalty would NOT be awarded.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598336068318814209?s=20&t=pMXeQxbm946OVPMMfZomyQ
At the end of the half, the match was still without a single goal. Could either team awaken and score a much-needed goal? Early in the second half, there were a couple of hair-raising escapes for Croatia when Belgium's Lukaku failed to net two potential goals.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598351483707297792?s=20&t=AIJbetohwVfG9TqzNpXAag
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598352435122098188?s=20&t=AIJbetohwVfG9TqzNpXAag
Belgium continued to fight for the single goal that would keep them alive in this World Cup and they had many opportunities. Croatia on the other hand only needed to draw to advance to the next round. There was one more close call by Belgium, again by Lukaku, but in the end, neither team scored.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598359079520550918?s=20&t=NKhendBs8WnLgOYHd4kKlg
https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1598364058188644357?s=20&t=7QjU85wyviV9SDpRNA2bIA
Croatia may not have won Group F, but they did at least advance and will face Japan next. Belgium, despite being ranked #2 in the world coming into this tournament has been eliminated.
Result: 0-0 draw
Canada🇨🇦 vs Morocco🇲🇦
My Prediction: Morocco
With Canada already eliminated after this match, their only hope was to leave this World Cup with at least one win. Morocco was not about to let that happen. Moroccon player Ziyech scored in the 4th minute when Canada's keeper got caught out of position, pretty embarrassing.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598332761244327938?s=20&t=3QLaAphjYyTA9e4gVsD-yQ
Not long after the first goal, Morocco added another to the scoreboard in the 23rd minute. This one by En-Nesyri was much more impressive than the first.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598337502842130436?s=20&t=nhzQJ49D4Fs6cjpBfQUQ2w
Canada refused to be embarrassed and continued to attack. Eventually, this rewarded their country with a goal. Morocco's Aguerd scored an own goal off of a deflection in the 40th minute.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598341885852094464?s=20&t=rkooKA9RGfp041CLGk-OFw
Morocco thought that they had their 3rd goal of the match in added time at the end of the first half. It was revoked due to an offsides call. After this, no more balls crossed the line for a goal.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598343754573832195?s=20&t=eYwxYs4bckIRemC4dTnvmw
Morocco is perhaps the biggest surprise of the tournament so far. This win just made them the top team in Group F and they will face Spain in the first round of the knockout stage. Canada goes home with zero points in their group, but at least they got their first World Cup goals ever.
Result: 1-2 in favor of Morocco
Japan🇯🇵 vs Spain🇪🇸
My Prediction: Spain
This match was a must-win for Japan. Spain could have a draw and still move on, but a win was preferable. Spain wasted no time getting their first goal. Morata got his 3rd goal of this World Cup in the 12th minute of this match.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598395003591614464?s=20&t=B6d5oDguJ--Zx1vqSSHe7Q
Despite a few more shots by Spain, no more goals were scored during the first half. By halftime, Spain have more than 80% of possession while Japan had less than 20%. Spain's passing and control were on another level. Luckily for Japanese fans, their team came out in the second half determined to get a goal. It was their substitute Ritsu Doan who scored his second goal of this World Cup in the 48th minute.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598408363959877657?s=20&t=0KjOvAfRK1znQzhhzgAOVA
A few moments after that huge tying goal, Japan's Ao Tanaka scored their second and took the lead in the 51st minute. It was nearly taken away by VAR, but that somehow didn't happen. You have to see this miracle of a play, I'm not so sure that Japan should have been awarded this one.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598409313176981504?s=20&t=C8bxmqWps4h1muRG9OWRTQ
#24 Japan might just be the king of second-half comebacks. This match makes two huge matches where they have to be down at halftime and then flipped the script in the final 45. Each one of those games was against top teams in this tournament #7 Spain and #11 Germany. Although Spain kept up their possession dominance, it still wasn't enough to give them a draw or win.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598420780269846529?s=20&t=CwQZzJu_MP2IY7kWMgb5VQ
Japan has won Group E and will face Croatia in the first round of the knockout stage. Spain still manages to move forward, but they are no longer at the top of the group and will face Morocco next.
Result: 2-1 in favor of Japan
Costa Rica🇨🇷 vs Germany🇩🇪
My Prediction: Germany
Germany absolutely had to win this match, otherwise, they would have to accept an early exit from this World Cup. Costa Rica too needed to win here. You know with a game with this much on the line for both teams, it was going to be a good one. Germany was the first to score and did so by way of a header. Gnabry knocked one in with his noggin in the 10th minute.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598394634857840650?s=20&t=RKDWToruy9qSIKu-R1c31w
Costa Rica was dominated in all areas during the first half. Possession was 65% to the Germans. Shot attempts were equally uneven. 11 for Germany and only 1 for Costa Rica. Would the second half show us a similar performance from both teams? Costa Rica said "Hell no" to that idea. Yeltsin Tejeda scored for Costa Rica off a rebound in the 58th minute.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598410979741777922?s=20&t=9OX4f7U5h2fDC2w2TaE6Ig
Germany was not willing to submit although they did finally concede a goal. Just take a look at this shot that should have been a second German goal. They were putting the heat on Costa Rica, but the average temperature in Costa Rica is 80°-90°, so they are used to it.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598413217054982144?s=20&t=AcHw_QBG-acMZnhzpbW10A
Costa Rica somehow managed to fend off Germany long enough to give their team a chance to take the lead. They did exactly that in the 70th minute when Juan Pablo Vargas scored a goal during a chaotic situation following a free kick.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598413812209782785?s=20&t=x3KI1tQ9XXpKKyp3R4dvVQ
Germany was enraged and evened the score immediately following Costa Rica's second goal. Germans can thank Kai Havertz for being in the right place at the right time in the 73rd minute.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598414555373355008?s=20&t=QBoQAKhfA51fVyfBv5_aKA
Germany still needed more though, otherwise, they'd be eliminated. Costa Rica too needed to win this match. Despite anguish on both sides, it was Germany who managed to score another goal.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598417412084342785?s=20&t=bJofwptk36lJbtI2QuaNzQ
If you thought that Germany was finished after this, you'd be wrong. They got yet another goal, this one coming from Niclas Füllkrug in the 89th minute. It was too little too late though. Despite winning, Germany has been eliminated from the World Cup during the group stage just like they were in 2018. Costa Rica too will be going home having given up the most goals of any team throughout this tournament.
Result: 2-4 in favor of Germany
What a turn of events 😱
At the beginning of this World Cup, not many would have predicted that Belgium and Germany both would be eliminated during the group stage. I'm willing to go out on a limb and also say few assumed that Japan and Morocco would win their groups. The outcomes may come as a surprise, but nothing is guaranteed for any of the remaining teams. Now they must move forward to the knockout stage where it does or die.
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Do you think that Japan or Morocco have a chance to go further into this tournament?
Or will they fail to win their next matches? Comment below and tell me what you're thinking.
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I'm happy for Japan, it's a team I've always liked
I am too. I think that the spirit of their fans is doing a lot for me, such amazing people. I've always been obsessed with Japanese culture, so I'll never hate on Japan for doing well.
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How was that Japan goal good? That ball looked OB..
Bro, I have no fucking idea. They were saying that since a tiny portion of the ball was on the line still and not 100% across it that it was still considered in-play. To me, it looked like the ball fully crossed the line though. I really don't think Japan should have been awarded that one, but no arguing with the refs.
Ok so the refs bet on Japan. You shoulda just said that 😆
I kind of thought that, but I also considered that maybe the ref just has inverted vision and can’t see shit.
I love Japan so much and I pray they go far
I hope they do. I think they a chance against Croatia. If they do win that and play Brazil next, then I’m not sure how well they’ll do against them.
Nice post as always, Bro.
You pay close attention to each game and perform extensive analysis.
Btw, I am also happy that this year the USA can achieve the best achievement in its history by participating in the World Cup.
Have you ever hoped that one day the USA could be in the World Cup Finals?
Thanks my friend. Yes I try to write about each match as things happen so it's easy for me to recall everything.
Participation for USA was awesome and then making it to the knockout stage too. As an American, I’m happy with their performance. It would he cool to see them in a finals match, but I think the best they’ve ever done is 3rd place.
This world cup to me is turning out to be the best with the surprises we keep seeing in the tournament.
I 100% agree!
how would say that japan and Morocco would get this far? jahahahha
my favorite is still spain!!
but argentina seens doing pretty solid too!
It was a surprise to see them both make it, but I’m happy for them.
Spain is looking good. I foresee more goals from Morata.
I’m so glad Argentina didn’t get eliminated early.
Yeah football world cup is going to enter very interesting stages and also watching many unpredictable matches in this world cup. Hopefully my favorite team will win this world cup.
If your favorite team is Brazil, then I hope so too.
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:( no more USA or BRAZIL..
then I say..
GO JAPAN!!
BONZAI!
Brazil is still in it and plays later today vs South Korea.
I like Japan a lot too.
Ooh. :) I like kpop too, so any of those 3 are good to win.. :P
It seems difficult for them to continue advancing beyond 8th but if they have one it could be Japan
Japan wants it, looks like they may have to play 120 to find a winner in that match.
Verdaderamente impresionante lo de Japón...Japón campeón para el 2050
Japón se ha ganado mi respeto.
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For the rival I would say that Japan has more chances to continue advancing and already in a hypothetical crossing with Brazil it must be the end of his World Cup dream
Japan versus Brazil would be a great match. I agree with you though, Brazil would surely win that one.