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Day 8: Costa Rica and Morocco spring latest upsets, Canada exit, Spain and Germany entertain
The wonderful sense of unpredictability that has adorned much of this World Cup so far continued on Sunday.
The first two games of the day brought two more shocks. Keysher Fuller’s late goal saw Costa Rica – who were beaten 7-0 by Spain in their opening match – win 1-0 against Japan, who’d defeated Germany in their opener.
Then, Morocco put in a superb display to beat Belgium 2-0, with Roman Saïss and Zakaria Aboukhlal finding the net.
The African nation are yet to concede a goal in five matches under the stewardship of Walid Regragui, and Croatia’s failure to notch against them in their 0-0 draw on Wednesday led to concerns over their potency.
There was plenty of that on show in their latest outing, though. Andrej Kramarić’s double plus Marko Livaja and Lovro Majer goals gave the 2018 finalists an impressive 4-1 comeback victory over Canada, who took a second-minute lead through Alphonso Davies’ header.
With the final round of group matches remaining, that saw Croatia top the group ahead of Morocco on goal difference.
John Herdman’s side, meanwhile, became the second nation to be knocked out of the tournament, after hosts Qatar on Saturday.
Having been so impressive in Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Belgium and after catching the eye again here, their fate felt harsh – but likely offered a valuable reflection of the unforgiving nature of this level.
Ahead of them co-hosting the tournament alongside the USA and Mexico in 2026, this experience ought to prove useful.
The day concluded with, arguably, the most attractive fixture of the entire group stage, on paper.
And it wasn’t half good, in reality.
Spain and Germany played out a fascinating, high-tempo, high-quality 1-1 draw.
Álvaro Morata’s shrewd second-half opener for the Spaniards was cancelled out late on by fellow substitute striker Niclas Füllkrug’s thumping finish to leave Luis Enrique’ team top of Group E, on four points, and Hansi Flick’s side bottom on one.
With Japan and Costa Rica each on three, though, Die Mannschaft know that a win over Costa Rica on Thursday, coupled with Spain beating Japan, will be enough to earn a round of 16 place.
Victory over Costa Rica, alongside a draw or Japan victory in the other game, could also see them go through, although that’s where specific criteria on the goal difference and goals scored front would need to be met.
There will likely be some complicated permutations across several of the eight groups in the coming days, with the final round of group stage fixtures beginning on Tuesday.
First, though, Monday rounds off matchday 2.
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Today’s action
Cameroon v Serbia – 10am GMT
South Korea v Ghana – 1pm GMT
Brazil v Switzerland – 4pm GMT
Portugal v Uruguay – 7pm GMT
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Cameroon v Serbia – Group G: Matchday 2
Kick-off time: 10am GMT
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Where can I watch? ITV (UK)
The two sides who lost their opening fixture in Group G will know that, realistically, only a win here will give them a reasonable degree of control over their own destiny when the final fixtures roll around on Friday.
Simultaneously, Cameroon will be out by this evening if they lose and Brazil avoid defeat against Switzerland later in the day. Serbia, meanwhile, will do likewise if they lose and Switzerland avoid defeat later on.
A fair amount of jeopardy already, then. That adds to the intrigue levels, and will hopefully add to the game. Although there is always a possibility that it will cue a caution-filled contest, of course.
It ought to be an interesting way to start the day, either way. We may see a bit more of what Serbia are about, after they put in an understandably defence-oriented display in their 2-0 defeat to Brazil on Thursday.
With the likes of Dušan Tadić, Sergej Milinković-Savić and Aleksandar Mitrović within their ranks, they should be an exciting watch.
Cameroon, meanwhile, looked dangerous in spells within their 1-0 loss to Switzerland and forward options such as Bryan Mbeumo, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar could pose a range of threats.
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South Korea v Ghana – Group H: Matchday 2
Kick-off time: 1pm GMT
Venue: Education City Stadium, Doha
Where can I watch? BBC (UK)
This is a game in which South Korea have that bit more wriggle room than Ghana, given Paulo Bento’s side drew their opening fixture with Uruguay while Otto Addo’s team lost to Portugal.
The Asian nation will still be in with a chance of progressing to the knockout stages regardless of Monday’s two Group H results. The African outfit, meanwhile, will go out if they lose this one – whatever the result of Portugal-Uruguay later.
Ghana did show several promising signs in the 3-2 defeat to Portugal on Thursday, with Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus looking especially threatening.
They’ll know they will have to put in a well-balanced display against this South Korea side, though. They looked assured both in and out of possession in their 0-0 draw with Uruguay, while Son Heung-min is among the best attacking talents at the tournament.
Another fascinating matchup and, simultaneously, another game that could be shaped by caution.
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Brazil v Switzerland – Group G: Matchday 2
Kick-off time: 4pm GMT
Venue: Stadium 974, Doha
Where can I watch? ITV (UK)
This is a match that, hopefully, will very much be shaped by attacking intent.
While Switzerland may be inclined to soak up Brazilian pressure, the fact that both of these sides won their openers may allow the shackles to be off to a reasonable extent.
The earlier South Korea-Ghana result could also impact the nature of the game.
Either way, this is a contest that looks to have potential.
It finished 1-1 when they met in the group stage in Russia four years ago, and the talent that both have at their disposal should mean we can expect a high-quality match – even with Neymar absent for Brazil due to that ankle injury sustained against Serbia.
Breel Embolo and Xherdan Shaqiri could be crucial offensive outlets for the Swiss, while they will be keen not to give Vinícius Júnior too much room to attack at the other end.
Richarlison – scorer of both Brazil goals in their opening fixture – will very much be worth keeping an eye on, too.
Favourites for many, that line of thought will have likely been enhanced by the five-time winners' opening display. It will therefore be interesting to see what they produce here.
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Portugal v Uruguay – Group H: Matchday 2
Kick-off time: 7pm GMT
Venue: Lusail Stadium, Al Daayen
Where can I watch? ITV (UK)
The most enticing game of the day, on paper.
Like Spain-Germany on Sunday, the hope will be that that is reflected by the action.
Having drawn their opener against South Korea, Uruguay are that bit more in need of a result than Portugal. The 2016 European champions, though, know that a win will secure their place in the round of 16 with a game to spare.
A victory would also guarantee them top spot, if South Korea and Ghana draw the earlier Group H fixture.
They may draw additional motivation from the fact that Uruguay knocked them out in the last 16 at the last World Cup, as well.
Edinson Cavani – scorer of both goals in the South Americans’ 2-1 victory that night – remains one of their attacking options, alongside fellow veteran Luis Suárez.
23-year-old Darwin Núñez, meanwhile, complements their experience with dynamism and directness aplenty.
The thought of them being on the same pitch as Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix and co is a genuinely exciting one.
While the potential midfield battle between the likes of Uruguay’s Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur and Portugal’s Bernardo Silva and Rúben Neves is another enticing prospect.
There are plenty of possibilities on day nine, and this contest could just offer the best of the lot.