Germany draws with Spain after Morocco snatches win from Belgium
Germany ties with Spain, granting the national team another shot at making it to the next stage of the World Cup.
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Niclas Fuellkrug of Germany celebrates after scoring Germany's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Spain at Al Bayt Stadium on November 27, 2022, Qatar (Getty Images)
Costa Rica snatched a dramatic late winner against Japan on Sunday to blow their World Cup group wide open and ease the intense pressure on embattled Germany.
Japan, who shocked four-time champions Germany 2-1 in their opener in Qatar, could have taken a giant stride towards the last 16 with a win.
But they labored for large parts of their game against a Costa Rica side who were hammered 7-0 by Spain and were made to pay when defender Keysher Fuller scored in the 81st minute with a deflected strike.
The result left Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica all level on three points in Group E, with Spain facing Germany in the late kick-off on Sunday.
Morocco crushes Belgium hopes
Morocco seriously jeopardized Belgium's World Cup hopes as goals from Romain Saiss and Zakaria Aboukhlal secured a surprise 2-0 triumph on Sunday.
Belgium, third in Russia four years ago, could have qualified for the last 16 with victory but instead produced another insipid display after their unconvincing opening win over Canada.
Substitute Abdelhamid Sabiri's curling 73rd-minute free-kick beat Thibaut Courtois at the goalkeeper's near post, although FIFA later said Saiss had made contact with the ball. Aboukhlal then grabbed a second in stoppage time.
Croatia scores landslide victory against Canada
Croatia got their World Cup campaign back on track as Andrej Kramaric's double inspired a 4-1 win that eliminated Canada in Sunday's Group F grudge match in Doha.
Zlatko Dalic's side was stunned by Alphonso Davies's second-minute opener at the Khalifa International Stadium.
But Hoffenheim forward Kramaric equalized and Marko Livaja put the 2018 World Cup runners-up ahead just before half-time.
Second-half goals from Kramaric and Lovro Majer ensured Croatia could celebrate their first win of the tournament after a goalless draw with Morocco in their first match.
Croatia sits top of Group F, above Morocco on goal difference, and a draw in their final game against Belgium on Thursday would guarantee they reach the last 16.
Germany gains another chance
Germany snatched a 1-1 draw with Spain in a crunch World Cup Group E game on Sunday when Niclas Fuellkrug lashed home an 83rd-minute equalizer.
Alvaro Morata's deft touch from Jordi Alba's cross had put Spain ahead just after the hour mark before Fuellkrug's goal allowed Germany to maintain hope of qualifying from a tight group.
