World Cup: Germany And Belgium Eliminated
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Costa Rica 2
[Tejeda 58, Vargas 70]
Germany 4
[Gnabry 10, Havertz 73, 85, Fullkrug 89]
Germany slumped out of the World Cup on a topsy-turvy night despite beating Costa Rica in Group E.
Hansi Flick’s side needed a win to stand any chance of reaching the knockout stage; however, Germany would have been eliminated regardless after Japan’s 2-1 win over Spain.
Germany, who finished third in the group, took the lead through Serge Gnabry’s header before Yeltsin Tejeda equalised for Costa Rica.
Juan Pablo Vargas then bundled in a second for Costa Rica, who were advancing to the last 16 at that stage.
Germany, who have failed to reach the knockout stage for the second successive tournament, fought back with a brace from Kai Havertz and a last-minute goal from fellow substitute Niclas Fullkrug.
Japan 2
[Doan 48, Tanaka 51]
Spain 1
[Morata 11]
Japan fought back from a goal down to stun Spain and top Group E.
Both teams have reached the knockout stage.
Spain found themselves leading at half-time after Alvaro Morata headed home before substitute Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka netted for Japan in quick succession soon after the break.
Tanaka’s goal was initially ruled out by the assistant referee who signalled the ball had gone out of play before VAR overturned the decision.
Group E
1. Japan 6pts; 2. Spain 4pts; 3. Germany 4pts; 4. Costa Rica 3pts.
Croatia 0 Belgium 0
Belgium have been eliminated from the World Cup after a goalless draw with Croatia who advance to the last 16 instead.
Canada 1
[Aguerd 40 og]
Morocco 2
[Ziyech 4, En-Nesyri 23]
Morocco topped Group F to reach the knockout stage for the first time in 36 years.
They will face Spain in the next round on Tuesday.
Hakim Ziyech, the Chelsea schemer, gave Morocco the lead after a goalkeeping error by Milan Borjan.
The North Africans doubled their advantage when Youssef En-Nesyri kept his cool to finish after good work from Achraf Hakimi.
Canada pulled a goal back through Nayef Aguerd towards the end of the first half.
Group F
1. Morocco 7pts; 2. Croatia 5pts; 3. Belgium 4pts; 4. Canada 0pts
Tomorrow’s games
Group G
Cameroon v Brazil, 3 pm
Serbia v Switzerland, 3 pm
Group H
Ghana v Uruguay 11 am
South Korea v Portugal, 11 am
