World Cup Daily: Costa Rica And Morocco Deliver The Shocks On Super Sunday

Here's a wrap of all the big news from a busy Sunday in Qatar
22:14, 27 Nov 2022

The surprises kept coming on the second Sunday of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Costa Rica bounced back from their horrific opener to beat Japan, Morocco stunned perennial dark horses Belgium, while some sense of normality resumed as Croatia eased past Canada. 

Germany and Spain meanwhile met in a particularly absorbing encounter that blew Group E wide open. Here’s your daily World Cup wrap.

Costa Rica Bounce Back To Shock Japan

Japan looked decent value to qualify for the knockout stages ahead of their match with Costa Rica this morning, having beaten Germany in their opener while Los Ticos were thrashed 7-0 by Spain. However, Group E was blown wide when Keysher Fuller fired the Central American nation to their first win of the tournament despite being under the cosh for the vast majority of the game. 

The Samurai Blue simply weren’t at the races and their heroics against Die Mannschaft are now long gone. They simply have to get something against Spain on Thursday and hope things go their way when Costa Rica, who remain in contention for qualification themselves, take on Germany.

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Morocco Stun Passionless Belgium

Second in the world Belgium became the latest titan of international football to succumb to a shock defeat in Qatar, losing 2-0 to a mightily impressive Morocco. This shock won’t be seen as being on the same magnitude as Saudi Arabia or Japan’s wins over Argentina and Germany respectively, but it’s not far behind. 

Abdelhamid Sabiri scored Morocco’s first ever direct free-kick goal at the World Cup to put the Atlas Lions ahead and Zakaria Aboukhlal sealed the match in added-time.

Belgium have now lost seven of their last 19 matches in all competitions, as many defeats as they’d suffered across their previous 74 games. The Red Devils have scored just one goal at the 2022 World Cup, only scoring fewer after two matches in 1930. They had scored eight goals at this same stage in 2018.

Croatia Show Their Class In Comeback Win Over Canada

Croatia looked like they could be the next team on the wrong side of an upset today but they fought back from a goal behind to win 4-1 and end Canada’s World Cup dream. 

Despite scoring the quickest goal of the competition so far, Canada were outclassed and outgunned for large portions of the match. However, although they’re still looking for a first World Cup win, they impressed many with their high-pressing, entertaining style of football and have no doubt won a few fans along the way. The future is certainly bright for Canadian football and we’ll no doubt see them again. 

Like Group E, there’s still plenty to play for in Group F. Table-toppers Croatia take on third-placed Belgium on Thursday but because Morocco need just a point against Canada to secure their place in the next round, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

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Germany Keep World Cup Dreams Alive With Spain Draw

Germany looked to be on the verge of a second consecutive World Cup group stage exit until super sub Niclas Fullkrug saved the day and cancelled out Alvaro Morata’s opener. 

Despite the much-needed point, Germany’s fate is certainly still up in the air in Group E. Die Mannschaft will qualify for the knockout stages if they beat Costa Rica and Japan lose to Spain.

They can still qualify if Japan and Spain draw but they must win by at least two goals or by a single goal margin and score more than Japan. Spain now need just a point against the Samurai Blue to reach the last-16. 

Marcus Rashford: We Don’t Need Fans To Boo Us 

Marcus Rashford has claimed that England do not “need fans to boo” for them to know they haven’t played well. 

The Three Lions laboured to a 0-0 draw with the USA on Friday night, drawing jeers from supporters at the full-time whistle despite the fact England remain top of Group B and are in a strong position to qualify for the last-16. 

Speaking to the press, the Manchester United forward said: "I feel like if we play well in the next game, that USA game will be forgotten.

"It's not a nice feeling. But to be honest we don't need fans to boo us to know we have not played well. It was a feeling that was mutual among the group - that we could have done better. 

"You do question if you would have changed things in the build-up to the game but that is natural as players because you want to win as many games as you can. When you don't win it's disappointing but we can't be so negative about it. We're in a good position in the group. 

"When you win a game, you are the best team in the world. When you lose, you are the worst. That's football. As players you have to keep a balance."

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Brazil Boss Tite Insists Certain Players Are Being Targeted

Brazilian boss Tite has stated that there is a 'focus on specific players' when it comes to who opposition sides choose to foul.

Neymar was ruled out of his side's remaining group games after sustaining an ankle injury against Serbia. The PSG star was fouled nine times in the opening game of their World Cup campaign, more than any other player in their opening match.

"If you want to celebrate the football, you have to pay attention to the fouls," the 61-year-old told press. 

"They focus on specific players. This is the effect. This has to be stopped."

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