Morocco vs Croatia LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction today
Morocco 0-0 Croatia: The Group F clash ended goalless with Luka Modric and co frustrated at the Al Bayt Stadium
Croatia‘s bid to emulate their World Cup exploits of four years ago began in stuttering fashion with a frustrating Group F stalemate against Morocco. The 2018 runners-up controlled possession at Al Bayt Stadium but lacked a cutting edge in a forgettable 0-0 draw against opposition with just two World Cup victories in their history.
Nikola Vlasic went close to an opener in first-half added time, while Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened winners for Morocco in the second period. The result leaves both sides with hope of reaching the knockout stages - albeit with plenty to do - in a group also containing Belgium and Canada. Croatia‘s starting XI contained five players who were involved in their 4-2 World Cup final defeat to France in Russia, including influential captain Luka Modric.
Manager Zlatko Dalic also remained from that match in Moscow and saw his side struggle to create in a tight, uninspiring opening period largely devoid of clear openings. Tottenham’s Ivan Perisic lashed narrowly over from distance, while Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech wastefully fired a well-positioned free-kick straight into the wall at the other end.Croatia saved their best first-half attempts for added time.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was finally tested when he repelled a close-range poke from Vlasic with a thigh, before Modric smashed over just before the whistle. Walid Regragui only took charge of the Atlas Lions three months before the tournament and was yet to see his new side concede a goal.
They remained resilient at the back after the restart and also improved from an attacking perspective, with Bayern Munich full-back Mazraoui, who was later stretchered off injured, seeing a header pushed away by Dominik Livakovic. Paris St Germain defender Hakimi then had a superb long-range effort denied by Croatia keeper Livakovic after being teed up by Ziyech at a free-kick before the contest faded away into the third goalless draw in the competition’s last four games. Croatia continue their campaign against Canada on Sunday afternoon, with Morocco facing Belgium earlier that day.
Spain vs Costa Rica
Thanks for joining us for another huge shock in this World Cup full of upsets, with Japan earning a famous victory over Germany in Group E!
Second-half goals from Japan substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano turned the game at the Khalifa International Stadium on its hand - and left Hansi Flick’s side shellshocked!
Switch over now to follow live coverage of Spain vs Costa Rica in the 4pm kick-off in Qatar!
Germany 1-2 Japan: Germany say Fifa ‘denied us a voice’ after covering mouths in statement at World Cup
Germany claim Fifa “denied us a voice” after their players covered their mouths in a World Cup statement before their Group E match with Japan.
It is the latest development in the row with the world’s governing body over the “One Love” initiative, with Fifa censoring Germany and other teams in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
The four-time World Cup winners lined up for the photo opportunity on the pitch before the Group E match at the Khalifa International Stadium, collectively covering their mouths.
A statement from the German FA read: “We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect. Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.
“It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us. Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position.”
The German players also wore rainbow sleeves on their training tops during the warm-up. German federal minister of the interior and community Nancy Faeser could be seen in the stands wearing the One Love armband before kick-off.
Germany say Fifa ‘denied us a voice’ after covering mouths in statement at World Cup
Fifa have threatened unspecified sporting sanctions against players who wear the rainbow band
World Cup: England optimistic captain Harry Kane will be fit for USA clash after ankle knock
England are optimistic that Harry Kane will be fit to face the United States, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford confirming the skipper was “fine” and trained with teammates.
The 29-year-old went down gripping his right foot in pain after being caught by a poor Morteza Pouraliganji challenge shortly after half-time in Monday’s 6-2 Group B win against Iran.
Kane played on until the 75th minute but was seen leaving England’s World Cup with a slight limp and his right ankle lightly strapped.
The Football Association remained tight-lipped about Kane’s fitness on Tuesday, but it is understood the striker was due for a scan before Friday’s clash with the USA.
Teammates are optimistic that Kane will be fine and Pickford allayed concerns when speaking at Al Wakrah Sports Complex base on Wednesday.
“I think he is good, probably just a little bit sore,” the Three Lions goalkeeper said. “I’m sure he is fine, he was out on the grass with us today which is good. He is our captain.”
The development is a boost for England, whose manager Gareth Southgate had downplayed concerns over the issue immediately after the Iran game.
England optimistic Harry Kane will be fit for USA clash after ankle knock
Kane hurt his ankle against Iran but trained with his teammates on Wednesday
Germany 1-2 Japan
Here’s the moment Japan’s victory was confirmed!
It puts Japan top of the group ahead of Spain vs Costa Rica at 4pm.
Germany are bottom. They lost their first match in Russia in 2018 against Mexico and they’ve done so again in 2022. It’s a big blow for the four-time world champions.
Work to do for Hansi Flick and his side...
Germany 1-2 Japan
Joyous scenes at the Khalifa International Stadium!
It’s Japan’s first ever victory over Germany - and what a time to get it! They face Costa Rica next.
Germany have it all to do against Spain, who play Costa Rica in today’s 4pm (GMT) kick-off.
Germany 1-2 Japan - MATCH REPORT
By Richard Jolly at the Khalifa International Stadium
It may be happening again for Germany. The most consistent team in World Cup history, the ever-presents in the knockout stages for decades, are now threatened with a second consecutive early exit after another shock defeat to east Asian opposition. For South Korea in 2018, read Japan in 2022. After Germany’s worst World Cup in 80 years, this might be their worst in four. They might have to beat Spain next week if they are to survive.
If Saudi Arabia’s comeback against Argentina, Japan’s was almost as seismic, nearly as seminal. It was still more remarkable as Germany had enjoyed a first hour of utter dominance. Their inability to score a second goal came a greater cost than looked likely when Japan’s first half brought a mere 62 passes – fewer than Antonio Rudiger and Nico Schlotterbeck each managed – and one, off-target effort to Germany’s 13.
Yet Japan went from muted to magnificent. Their starters had scarcely impressed. Their substitutes did, scoring both goals, changing the game with their energy and excellence, leaving Germany stunned. Hajime Moriyasu felt the alchemist in the dugout as the men he introduced had an extraordinary effect.
Japan’s leveller came from a combination of two who had only been on for a matter of minutes, Takumi Minamino drawing a save from Manuel Neuer with a cross-shot and Ritsu Doan quickest to the rebound to slot home. It had a certain cruelty for Neuer. For 70 minutes, he had been a spectator, his last action on the global stage being to lose the ball on the left wing, 80 yards out of his goal as Heung-Min Son went on to score for South Korea in 2018. As Neuer became the first German goalkeeper to appear in four World Cups, he made a stunning save from Junya Ito, before Hiroki Sakai contrived to miss when he should have scored. Yet a early contender for stop of the tournament became a footnote, merely delaying Japan’s stunning progress.
They completed a turnaround when Ko Itakura’s free kick was pumped forward and Takumo Asano reacted fastest, took the ball down with a delectable touch, evaded Schlotterbeck and rifled a shot in from an acute angle. Asano had brought verve from the moment he came on. His reward, some 20 minutes later, was to score a goal that feels destined to be among the most famous in Japan’s footballing history. This was their greatest ever result in a World Cup and a team who seemed doomed by the draw with two European superpowers can now eye an extended stay in Qatar.
Germany suffer deja vu as heroic Japan pull off shock World Cup win
Germany 1-2 Japan: Goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano stunned the four-time winners at the Khalifa International Stadium
Germany 1-2 Japan - Germany fall to Japan but stand up to Fifa as pressure mounts in Qatar
By Alex Pattle
Germany fans had waited four years for their team to make a statement at the Qatar World Cup, but they weren’t necessarily thinking of the one that Hansi Flick’s side delivered in their opening game.
While the national team failed to banish the spectre of Russia 2018, where Germany’s World Cup campaign came crashing down in Kazan, the team at least ensured that they addressed a much more pressing issue here.
Four-and-a-half years after a 2-0 defeat by South Korea saw Germany’s catastrophic world title defence end in the group stage – and in shame – the four-time champions went some way to restoring pride before they had kicked a ball against Japan; which was just as well, given their actual kicking of the ball offered little to celebrate.
Lining up for their pre-game photograph ahead of this 2-1 loss to Japan, every Germany player covered their mouth, making clear their frustration at Fifa’s attempts to silence political dissections of this World Cup. Prior to that gesture, Flick’s players had sported rainbow sleeves on their training tops while warming up for this opening Group E tie, while – up in the stands – Germany’s Federal Minister of the Interior and Community, Nancy Faeser, wore the OneLove armband that Fifa has so adamantly tried to wipe from existence.
Seven teams at the World Cup had intended for their captains to sport the rainbow-coloured OneLove band throughout this controversial edition of the world championship, showing their protest of the anti-LGBTQ+ laws and attitudes in host country Qatar, as well as the state’s alleged human-rights abuses; only for Fifa to threaten sporting punishment, i.e. yellow cards, if those players did not instead wear the governing body’s own alternative band.
With that suggestion of punishment coming on the eve of England’s opening match against Iran, the Three Lions retreated sheepishly. Gareth Southgate’s captain Harry Kane expressed frustration but ultimately wore Fifa’s armband.
Germany fall to Japan but stand up to Fifa as pressure mounts in Qatar
They could have done more on the pitch and off it, but the Germans’ pre-match gesture of covering their mouths and sporting rainbow-sleeved tops may yet lead other teams to challenge Fifa in Qatar
Germany 1-2 Japan
Here’s Japan’s winner!
Brilliant from Takuma Asano - but what was Nico Schlotterbeck doing?!
FULL-TIME: Germany 1-2 Japan
Japan have done it!
The substitutions sprint onto the pitch in celebration - another gigantic World Cup shock! The underdogs have beaten Germany, the 2014 champions, who lose their first World Cup game for the second World Cup running!
Subs Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano are the Japanese heroes with their second-half goals!
Next for Germany? Spain.
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