Day 12 of the Qatar World Cup 2022 started with Canada vs. Morocco, proving that Africa is still in the world cup race by topping their group table. The game ended 2-1 in favor of the Moroccans, and their talisman Ziyech impressed again.
Shortly after Canada’s match with Morocco, Belgium played with Croatia, who ensured they missed the tournament. Of course, Belgium was very poor at everything during their short stay in the tournament, with many of the forwards missing chances and their midfielders misplacing passes. Romelu Lukaku was the major highlight of the match as he played one of his worst matches since he started playing professional football.
Germany played a good game in their last game at the Qatar World Cup 2022. Despite beating Costa Rica 4-2, it only ensured that Spain moved with Japan to the tournament’s next round. Spain vs. Japan was a thriller, as the Japanese side beat Spain 2-1 to top their group.
Canada vs. Morocco Highlights and Summary
This was a game in which Canada had to show that they had some world cup quality, but they failed to impress as they lost out to Morocco. Morocco is a side that has been very impressive at the tournament.
Hakim Ziyech has proved crucial for Morocco since the world cup started, and he was the first to score in the match in the 4th minute before his teammate En-Nesyri doubled the lead in the 23rd minute. But an own goal from their teammate Aguerd in the 40th minute was the only goal that was awarded to Canada. As he walked through the game, Alphonso Davies failed to show quality in the match.
Even before they played the game, Canada was already out of the Qatar world cup 2022. However, Morocco will be advancing to the round of 16 — The first time they have been doing so since 1986.
Lineups
Canada
(3-4-3): Borjan; Johnston, Steven Vitoria, Miller; Adekugbe, Osorio, Kaye, Davies; Buchanan, Larin, Hoilett
Morocco
(4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Sabiri; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal
Goals:
4th min — MAR — Hakim Ziyech
23rd min — MAR — Youssouf En-Nesyri
40th min — CAN — Naif Aguerd (OG)
Belgium vs. Croatia Highlights and Summary
Belgium had a very bad world cup, as they are already out of the tournament after showing a lack of coordination throughout their games. The game that Belgium was supposed to win to advance to the round of 16 ended in a draw, with Lukaku missing more than two big chances to win the game.
Throughout the game, Belgium showed that they had to work on every part of their team, including their strikers, midfielders, and defense. All of them were poor and showed no determination to win the match. On the other hand, Croatia was a very good team, as the draw ensured that they moved to the next stage of the competition.
Lineups
Croatia
(4-3-3): Livaković; Juranović, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić; Kramarić, Livaja, Perišić
Belgium
(3-4-1-2): Courtois; Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Castagne; Meunier, Witsel, Dendoncker, Carrasco; De Bruyne; Mertens, Trossard
Germany vs. Costa Rica Highlights and Summary
This game showed that one has to take every game seriously at the World Cup or be kicked off. Germany showed their quality in this game but failed to show it in other games, leading to their elimination from the tournament. Germany was the first to strike in the game when Gnabry’s strike ended at the back of the post 10 minutes into the game.
Costa Rica’s response came in the 58th minute when Tejeda scored, followed by a successive goal in the 70th minute by his teammate Vargas. Kai Havertz of Germany responded 3 minutes later with his Gail and again in the 85th minute. Fullkrug ended the game with the last goal in the 89th minute.
However, Germany and Costa Rica were eliminated from the world cup after Japan stunned Spain with a 2-1 win.
Lineups
Costa Rica
(5-3-2): Navas— Fuller, Duarte, Waston, Vargas, Oviedo, Borges, Tejeda, Aguilera — Campbell, Venegas
Germany
(4-2-3-1): Neuer — Kimmich, Sule, Rudiger, Raum, Gundogan, Goretzka — Gnabry, Musiala, Sane, Muller
Goals:
GER — Fullkrug (89′)
GER — Havertz (85′)
GER — Havertz (73′)
CRC — Vargas (70′)
CRC — Tejeda (58′)
GER — Gnabry (10′)
Spain vs. Japan Highlights and Summary
Japan is another game at the Qatar World Cup 2022 that proves this edition of the world cup might be one of the best in history. The surprises on each match day make the world cup more interesting. Spain vs. Japan ended 2-1 in favor of the Japanese, who topped their group table. Who thought of that?
The game started with Spain dominating every part of the game. At some point in the first half, Spain had an 83% possession against Japan, and Alvaro Morata topped it with a goal before the halftime whistle blew. Every other part of the game was flying at Spain, who couldn’t believe that they conceded two goals in five minutes from the Japanese side. Assuming Costa Rica has held on to their 2-1 lead against Germany, Spain would have been out of the Qatar World Cup 2022.
While speaking about being out of the world cup for about 3 minutes during the short time Costa Rica led against Germany, Spain’s coach said he would have had a heart attack if he had known about that.
Lineups
Japan
(3-4-3): Gonda; Itakura, Yoshida, Taniguchi; Ito, Tanaka, Morita, Nagatomo; Kamada, Kubo, Maeda
Spain
(4-3-3): Simon; Azpilicueta, P. Torres, Rodri, Balde; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; N. Williams, Morata, Olmo
Goals:
SPA – Alvaro Morata (11th min)
JAP – Ritsu Doan (48th min)
JAP – Ao Tanaka (53rd min)