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Hakim Ziyech of Morocco and Germany's Joshua Kimmich
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Matchday 12 Live Blog: Japan slays giants to top group as Morocco, Croatia survive group of death
Join us for Matchday 12 as we bring you the key moments and highlights from today's FIFA World Cup fixtures.
Hakim Ziyech of Morocco and Germany's Joshua Kimmich
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Head-to-Head: Costa Rica v Germany
· The only match between Costa Rica and Germany (including West Germany) was the opening game of the 2006 World Cup. The hosts won 4-2 in Munich through goals by Philipp Lahm (6'), Miroslav Klose (17', 61') and Torsten Frings (87'). Paulo Wanchope (12', 73') scored both for Los Ticos.
· Costa Rica have won as many World Cup games versus UEFA opposition (3) as they have against teams from all other confederations combined (3). Note: matches decided by a penalty shootout are classed as a draw.
· Germany won six of their eight World Cup matches against CONCACAF opposition (W6-D1-L1). Both of the two exceptions were versus Mexico: a 0-0 draw after extra time in the 1986 quarter-finals (the Germans won 4-1 on penalties) and a 1-0 defeat in the 2018 group stage.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Costa Rica have won as many World Cup games versus UEFA opposition (3) as they have against teams from all other confederations combined (3). Note: matches decided by a penalty shootout are classed as a draw.
· Germany won six of their eight World Cup matches against CONCACAF opposition (W6-D1-L1). Both of the two exceptions were versus Mexico: a 0-0 draw after extra time in the 1986 quarter-finals (the Germans won 4-1 on penalties) and a 1-0 defeat in the 2018 group stage.
Courtesy of Gracenote
Spain Stats
· Spain qualify for the knockout stage if they A) win, or B) draw, or C1) lose AND Costa Rica draw against Germany, or C2) lose AND Germany win against Costa Rica while Germany (-1) do not make up the goal difference with Spain (+7) in this group.
· Spain progressed to the knockout phase in seven of the last nine World Cups. They suffered group stage exits in that run in 1998 and 2014.
· Since winning the trophy in 2010, Spain have won only three of their nine World Cup matches (W3-D4-L2). One of the four draws in that run ended in a penalty shootout defeat versus Russia in the 2018 round of last 16.
· Spain have scored eight goals at the 2022 World Cup, already equalling the total number of goals they netted when winning the tournament in 2010. The most goals they have scored at a single World Cup is 11 in 1986 (eliminated in the quarter-finals).
· The most goals Spain have scored in the first group stage of a single World Cup is nine in 2002.
· Álvaro Morata can become the second Spain player to score in each of his first three World Cup appearances, after Zarra in 1950.
· The three players to net in at least three consecutive Spain World Cup matches are David Villa (4, 2010), Zarra (3, 1950) and Fernando Hierro (3, 1998-2002).
· No player scored in all three group stage games at the 2018 World Cup. This was done by Lionel Messi (Argentina) and James Rodríguez (Colombia) at the 2014 tournament.
· Morata can become the first player to score as a substitute in more than two matches at a single World Cup.
· Morata is joint-fifth alongside Fernando Hierro (both 29) in Spain's all-time leading goalscorers. David Silva (35) is fourth on the list.
· Gavi (one versus Costa Rica) can become the fourth player to score multiple World Cup goals before his 19th birthday, after Brazil's Pelé (6, 1958), Mexico's Manuel Rosas (2, 1930) and England's Michael Owen (2, 1998).
· Sergio Busquets is joint-fourth alongside Xavi (both 15) in Spain's leading World Cup appearance makers. The top three are Iker Casillas (17), Sergio Ramos (17) and Andoni Zubizarreta (16).
· Busquets is one yellow card away from a suspension.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Spain progressed to the knockout phase in seven of the last nine World Cups. They suffered group stage exits in that run in 1998 and 2014.
· Since winning the trophy in 2010, Spain have won only three of their nine World Cup matches (W3-D4-L2). One of the four draws in that run ended in a penalty shootout defeat versus Russia in the 2018 round of last 16.
· Spain have scored eight goals at the 2022 World Cup, already equalling the total number of goals they netted when winning the tournament in 2010. The most goals they have scored at a single World Cup is 11 in 1986 (eliminated in the quarter-finals).
· The most goals Spain have scored in the first group stage of a single World Cup is nine in 2002.
· Álvaro Morata can become the second Spain player to score in each of his first three World Cup appearances, after Zarra in 1950.
· The three players to net in at least three consecutive Spain World Cup matches are David Villa (4, 2010), Zarra (3, 1950) and Fernando Hierro (3, 1998-2002).
· No player scored in all three group stage games at the 2018 World Cup. This was done by Lionel Messi (Argentina) and James Rodríguez (Colombia) at the 2014 tournament.
· Morata can become the first player to score as a substitute in more than two matches at a single World Cup.
· Morata is joint-fifth alongside Fernando Hierro (both 29) in Spain's all-time leading goalscorers. David Silva (35) is fourth on the list.
· Gavi (one versus Costa Rica) can become the fourth player to score multiple World Cup goals before his 19th birthday, after Brazil's Pelé (6, 1958), Mexico's Manuel Rosas (2, 1930) and England's Michael Owen (2, 1998).
· Sergio Busquets is joint-fourth alongside Xavi (both 15) in Spain's leading World Cup appearance makers. The top three are Iker Casillas (17), Sergio Ramos (17) and Andoni Zubizarreta (16).
· Busquets is one yellow card away from a suspension.
Courtesy of Gracenote
Japan Stats
· Japan are guaranteed to progress to the knockout phase if they A) win or B) draw and Costa Rica vs Germany ends in a draw. If Japan draw and Germany win, tiebreakers will decide who goes through between those two teams.
· Japan have alternated between group stage exit (1998, 2006, 2014) and round of last 16 exit (2002, 2010, 2018) in their six World Cup appearances. Their knockout phase exits were against Türkiye (1-0 in 2002), Paraguay (on penalties in 2010) and Belgium (3-2 in 2018 after leading 2-0).
· Japan can fail to score in consecutive World Cup matches for the second time, after the first two games of their debut appearance at the tournament in 1998: 1-0 defeats against Argentina and Croatia.
· Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano netted in the win against Germany. Four players have scored multiple World Cup goals for Japan: Keisuke Honda (4), Junichi Inamoto (2), Shinji Okazaki (2) and Takashi Inui (2).
· The most goals a player has scored for Japan at a single World Cup is two by Junichi Inamoto (2002), Keisuke Honda (2010) and Takashi Inui (2018).
· Yuto Nagatomo (140) and Maya Yoshida (124) are second and third respectively in Japan's all-time leading appearance makers, behind only Yasuhito Endo (152).
· Yoshida (9) is one short of becoming the seventh player to reach double figures in World Cup appearances for Japan. At the top of that list is Nagatomo (13).
· Gaku Shibasaki (CD Leganés) and Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) play their club football in Spain.
· Wataru Endo, Miki Yamane and Ko Itakura are one yellow card away from a suspension.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Japan have alternated between group stage exit (1998, 2006, 2014) and round of last 16 exit (2002, 2010, 2018) in their six World Cup appearances. Their knockout phase exits were against Türkiye (1-0 in 2002), Paraguay (on penalties in 2010) and Belgium (3-2 in 2018 after leading 2-0).
· Japan can fail to score in consecutive World Cup matches for the second time, after the first two games of their debut appearance at the tournament in 1998: 1-0 defeats against Argentina and Croatia.
· Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano netted in the win against Germany. Four players have scored multiple World Cup goals for Japan: Keisuke Honda (4), Junichi Inamoto (2), Shinji Okazaki (2) and Takashi Inui (2).
· The most goals a player has scored for Japan at a single World Cup is two by Junichi Inamoto (2002), Keisuke Honda (2010) and Takashi Inui (2018).
· Yuto Nagatomo (140) and Maya Yoshida (124) are second and third respectively in Japan's all-time leading appearance makers, behind only Yasuhito Endo (152).
· Yoshida (9) is one short of becoming the seventh player to reach double figures in World Cup appearances for Japan. At the top of that list is Nagatomo (13).
· Gaku Shibasaki (CD Leganés) and Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) play their club football in Spain.
· Wataru Endo, Miki Yamane and Ko Itakura are one yellow card away from a suspension.
Courtesy of Gracenote
Head-to-Head: Japan v Spain
· The only match between Japan and Spain was a friendly in Córdoba on 25 April 2001. The hosts won 1-0 through a 90th-minute goal by Rubén Baraja.
· Japan won three of their 11 World Cup matches against UEFA opposition (W3-D3-L5). The three victories were all in the group stage: 1-0 versus Russia in 2002, 3-1 versus Denmark in 2010 and 2-1 versus Germany in 2022.
· Spain are unbeaten in all six World Cup games versus opposition from the Asian Football Confederation (W4-D2-L0), but one of those draws ended in a penalty shootout defeat against Korea Republic in Gwangju in the 2002 quarter-finals (Luis Enrique came on as a substitute in what was his final appearance for the national team).
· Since Spain defeated IR Iran 1-0 in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, their only game against AFC opposition was a 3-1 friendly victory versus Jordan in Amman on 17 November 2022 (away goals by Ansu Fati, Gavi and Nico Williams).
· Club teammates who could be in opposition in this match are Kaoru Mitoma and Robert Sánchez (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Japan won three of their 11 World Cup matches against UEFA opposition (W3-D3-L5). The three victories were all in the group stage: 1-0 versus Russia in 2002, 3-1 versus Denmark in 2010 and 2-1 versus Germany in 2022.
· Spain are unbeaten in all six World Cup games versus opposition from the Asian Football Confederation (W4-D2-L0), but one of those draws ended in a penalty shootout defeat against Korea Republic in Gwangju in the 2002 quarter-finals (Luis Enrique came on as a substitute in what was his final appearance for the national team).
· Since Spain defeated IR Iran 1-0 in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, their only game against AFC opposition was a 3-1 friendly victory versus Jordan in Amman on 17 November 2022 (away goals by Ansu Fati, Gavi and Nico Williams).
· Club teammates who could be in opposition in this match are Kaoru Mitoma and Robert Sánchez (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Courtesy of Gracenote
Canada v Morocco - Full-time - Morocco advance
FT - Morocco top the group!
Morocco will enter the Round of 16 full of confidence after topping Group F with a 2-1 win over Canada.
You can watch the replay, mini match and highlights from this fixture via our dedicated match hub, here: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/fifa-world-cup-2022-canada-v-morocco-group-f
Thanks for following our live blog - we'll be back for the Group E finale shortly!
Morocco will enter the Round of 16 full of confidence after topping Group F with a 2-1 win over Canada.
You can watch the replay, mini match and highlights from this fixture via our dedicated match hub, here: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/fifa-world-cup-2022-canada-v-morocco-group-f
Thanks for following our live blog - we'll be back for the Group E finale shortly!
Croatia v Belgium - Full-time - Croatia advance!
FT - Croatia are through!
A 0-0 draw between Belgium and Croatia has seen the latter book their place in the Round of 16.
You can watch the replay, mini match and highlights from this fixture via our dedicated match hub, here: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/fifa-world-cup-2022-croatia-v-belgium-group-f
Thanks for following our live blog - we'll be back for the Group E finale shortly!
A 0-0 draw between Belgium and Croatia has seen the latter book their place in the Round of 16.
You can watch the replay, mini match and highlights from this fixture via our dedicated match hub, here: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/fifa-world-cup-2022-croatia-v-belgium-group-f
Thanks for following our live blog - we'll be back for the Group E finale shortly!
Canada v Morocco - Second half starts
46' - Canada begin second half
The North Americans restart proceedings looking to get back on level terms.
The North Americans restart proceedings looking to get back on level terms.
Croatia v Belgium - Second half starts
46' - Belgium begin second half
Romelu Lukaku is substituted on and restarts proceedings looking to put his nation ahead.
Romelu Lukaku is substituted on and restarts proceedings looking to put his nation ahead.
Canada v Morocco - Half-time whistle blows
HT - The referee calls an end to the first half
The players head for the tunnel after an eventful 45 minutes in Al Thumama.
The players head for the tunnel after an eventful 45 minutes in Al Thumama.
Croatia v Belgium - Half-time whistle blows
HT - The referee calls an end to the first half
The players head for the tunnel after a tight 45 minutes in Al-Rayyan.
The players head for the tunnel after a tight 45 minutes in Al-Rayyan.
Canada v Morocco - Aguerd own goal
40' - Canada pull one back!
Nayef Aguerd is unable to block Sam Adekugbe's cross, with his touch instead squeezing past Yassine Bounou and into his own net.
Nayef Aguerd is unable to block Sam Adekugbe's cross, with his touch instead squeezing past Yassine Bounou and into his own net.
Canada v Morocco - En-Nesyri scores
23' - En-Nesyri doubles Morocco's lead!
Youssef En-Nesyri runs onto a great ball from Achraf Hakimi and buries his driven effort past Milan Borjan.
Youssef En-Nesyri runs onto a great ball from Achraf Hakimi and buries his driven effort past Milan Borjan.
Croatia v Belgium - VAR overrules Croatia penalty
18' - No penalty for Croatia!
The call is reversed following a check from the Video Assistant Referee that deemed Andrej Kramaric offside in the build-up.
It remains 0-0.
The call is reversed following a check from the Video Assistant Referee that deemed Andrej Kramaric offside in the build-up.
It remains 0-0.
Canada v Morocco - Ziyech scores
4' - Ziyech capitalises on Canada error!
Milan Borjan rushes out of his box but his poor pass only finds Hakim Ziyech who lifts it into an empty net.
Morocco lead both the match and Group F now!
Milan Borjan rushes out of his box but his poor pass only finds Hakim Ziyech who lifts it into an empty net.
Morocco lead both the match and Group F now!
Canada v Morocco - First half under way
1' - Kick-off
We are underway with the start of the first half at Al Thumama Stadium.
We are underway with the start of the first half at Al Thumama Stadium.
Croatia v Belgium - First half under way
1' - Kick-off
We are underway with the start of the first half at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
We are underway with the start of the first half at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
Morocco Stats
· Morocco are guaranteed to reach the knockout phase if they A) win, B) draw, or C) lose AND Croatia beat Belgium. If Morocco and Croatia both lose then goal difference will decide whether the 2018 runners-up or the Atlas Lions progress.
· Morocco reached the knockout phase in one of their five World Cup appearances. In 1986, they finished top of a group also containing England, Poland and Portugal. The Atlas Lions were eliminated 1-0 by West Germany in the round of last 16 (88th-minute free-kick by Lothar Matthäus).
· Morocco's 2-0 win against Belgium was their third victory at the World Cup (W3-D6-L9). The other two triumphs were in their final group stage fixture: 3-1 versus Portugal in 1986 (progressed as group winners) and 3-0 versus Scotland in 1998 (finished third in the group and were eliminated after Norway beat Brazil in the other game courtesy of an 88th-minute penalty).
· Morocco can become the first African team to keep three consecutive World Cup clean sheets.
· Morocco have kept a clean sheet in all five official matches under Walid Regragui (W3-D2-L0).
· Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech (both 5) can equal Mustapha Hadji (6) as Morocco's leading World Cup appearance maker.
· Three players have scored multiple World Cup goals for Morocco: Abdeljalil Hadda, Abderrazak Khaïri and Salaheddine Bassir (all 2). The three current squad members to have netted a World Cup goal for the Atlas Lions are Youssef En-Nesyri (2018), Romain Saïss (2022) and Zakaria Aboukhlal (2022).
· En-Nesyri can become the first player to score for Morocco at multiple World Cups. He netted in a 2-2 draw versus Spain in their final group game of 2018.
· Bono was born in Montreal. He was replaced by Munir in the starting line-up just minutes before kick-off in the win against Belgium.
· Sofyan Amrabat and Abdelhamid Sabiri are one yellow card away from a suspension.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Morocco reached the knockout phase in one of their five World Cup appearances. In 1986, they finished top of a group also containing England, Poland and Portugal. The Atlas Lions were eliminated 1-0 by West Germany in the round of last 16 (88th-minute free-kick by Lothar Matthäus).
· Morocco's 2-0 win against Belgium was their third victory at the World Cup (W3-D6-L9). The other two triumphs were in their final group stage fixture: 3-1 versus Portugal in 1986 (progressed as group winners) and 3-0 versus Scotland in 1998 (finished third in the group and were eliminated after Norway beat Brazil in the other game courtesy of an 88th-minute penalty).
· Morocco can become the first African team to keep three consecutive World Cup clean sheets.
· Morocco have kept a clean sheet in all five official matches under Walid Regragui (W3-D2-L0).
· Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech (both 5) can equal Mustapha Hadji (6) as Morocco's leading World Cup appearance maker.
· Three players have scored multiple World Cup goals for Morocco: Abdeljalil Hadda, Abderrazak Khaïri and Salaheddine Bassir (all 2). The three current squad members to have netted a World Cup goal for the Atlas Lions are Youssef En-Nesyri (2018), Romain Saïss (2022) and Zakaria Aboukhlal (2022).
· En-Nesyri can become the first player to score for Morocco at multiple World Cups. He netted in a 2-2 draw versus Spain in their final group game of 2018.
· Bono was born in Montreal. He was replaced by Munir in the starting line-up just minutes before kick-off in the win against Belgium.
· Sofyan Amrabat and Abdelhamid Sabiri are one yellow card away from a suspension.
Courtesy of Gracenote
Canada Stats
· Canada were the second team to be eliminated from the 2022 World Cup, after hosts Qatar.
· Canada were also eliminated in the group stage in their only previous World Cup appearance in 1986. They lost all three games without scoring (versus France, Hungary and Soviet Union).
· Canada have lost all five World Cup matches. They are the third team to lose each of their first five games at the tournament, after Mexico (lost each of their first nine, 1930-1958) and El Salvador (lost all six in their two appearances in 1970 and 1982).
· Aside from Mexico and El Salvador, two other teams have had a World Cup losing streak of more than five: Cameroon (8, 2002-2022) and Switzerland (7, 1954-1966).
· A CONCACAF team can lose all three group stage matches for the third consecutive World Cup, after Honduras in 2014 and Panama in 2018.
· Canada can lose three consecutive games for the first time since February to March 2016 under Benito Floro.
· In the 4-1 defeat against Croatia, Atiba Hutchinson became the first player to make 100 appearances for Canada.
· Jonathan David is joint-second alongside Dwayne De Rosario (both 22) in Canada's all-time leading goalscorers, behind only Cyle Larin (25).
· John Herdman was eliminated in the group stage in three of his four World Cups (men's and women's) as a manager. He also made a group stage exit in charge of New Zealand at the women's World Cup in 2007 and 2011.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Canada were also eliminated in the group stage in their only previous World Cup appearance in 1986. They lost all three games without scoring (versus France, Hungary and Soviet Union).
· Canada have lost all five World Cup matches. They are the third team to lose each of their first five games at the tournament, after Mexico (lost each of their first nine, 1930-1958) and El Salvador (lost all six in their two appearances in 1970 and 1982).
· Aside from Mexico and El Salvador, two other teams have had a World Cup losing streak of more than five: Cameroon (8, 2002-2022) and Switzerland (7, 1954-1966).
· A CONCACAF team can lose all three group stage matches for the third consecutive World Cup, after Honduras in 2014 and Panama in 2018.
· Canada can lose three consecutive games for the first time since February to March 2016 under Benito Floro.
· In the 4-1 defeat against Croatia, Atiba Hutchinson became the first player to make 100 appearances for Canada.
· Jonathan David is joint-second alongside Dwayne De Rosario (both 22) in Canada's all-time leading goalscorers, behind only Cyle Larin (25).
· John Herdman was eliminated in the group stage in three of his four World Cups (men's and women's) as a manager. He also made a group stage exit in charge of New Zealand at the women's World Cup in 2007 and 2011.
Courtesy of Gracenote
Head-to-Head: Canada v Morocco
· Morocco are unbeaten in all three matches against Canada (W2-D1-L0, all friendlies).
· The most recent match between these nations was a friendly in Marrakech on 11 October 2016. Morocco (who gave a senior international debut to Achraf Hakimi) won 4-0 courtesy of goals by Mehdi Carcela-González (12'), Hakim Ziyech (65' penalty, 81' penalty) and Rachid Alioui (86'). That was Canada's most recent game versus African opposition.
· Canada and Morocco drew 1-1 in a friendly in Montreal on 1 June 1994. Rudy Doliscat (90') equalised for the hosts after Mohammed Chaouch (57') had put the visitors ahead.
· The first game between Canada and Morocco was a friendly in Rabat on 24 October 1984. The hosts won 3-2 including two goals by Mustapha el Haddaoui.
· This is Canada's sixth World Cup match, but their first against non-UEFA opposition.
· Canada faced African opposition in the 2001 Confederations Cup group stage. They were beaten 2-0 by Cameroon in Niigata.
· This is Morocco's first World Cup game versus CONCACAF opposition. Their most recent official fixture against a CONCACAF team was a 3-0 friendly defeat versus USA in Cincinnati on 1 June 2022 (their most recent loss in an official match).
· Club teammates who could be in opposition in this match are Atiba Hutchinson and Romain Saïss (Besiktas), and Alphonso Davies and Noussair Mazraoui (FC Bayern München).
Courtesy of Gracenote
· The most recent match between these nations was a friendly in Marrakech on 11 October 2016. Morocco (who gave a senior international debut to Achraf Hakimi) won 4-0 courtesy of goals by Mehdi Carcela-González (12'), Hakim Ziyech (65' penalty, 81' penalty) and Rachid Alioui (86'). That was Canada's most recent game versus African opposition.
· Canada and Morocco drew 1-1 in a friendly in Montreal on 1 June 1994. Rudy Doliscat (90') equalised for the hosts after Mohammed Chaouch (57') had put the visitors ahead.
· The first game between Canada and Morocco was a friendly in Rabat on 24 October 1984. The hosts won 3-2 including two goals by Mustapha el Haddaoui.
· This is Canada's sixth World Cup match, but their first against non-UEFA opposition.
· Canada faced African opposition in the 2001 Confederations Cup group stage. They were beaten 2-0 by Cameroon in Niigata.
· This is Morocco's first World Cup game versus CONCACAF opposition. Their most recent official fixture against a CONCACAF team was a 3-0 friendly defeat versus USA in Cincinnati on 1 June 2022 (their most recent loss in an official match).
· Club teammates who could be in opposition in this match are Atiba Hutchinson and Romain Saïss (Besiktas), and Alphonso Davies and Noussair Mazraoui (FC Bayern München).
Courtesy of Gracenote
Belgium Stats
· Belgium will qualify for the knockout phase if they win this match and will be eliminated if they lose. If they draw, they need Morocco to lose against Canada by more than a two-goal margin to have a chance of overtaking the Atlas Lions.
· Belgium failed to reach the knockout phase in only one of their last seven appearances at the World Cup. They finished third in their group (behind Netherlands and Mexico) and were eliminated in 1998.
· A team in the top two of the FIFA world rankings has been eliminated in the group stage at four of the last five World Cups: 2002 (France, ranked first), 2006 (Czechia, ranked second), 2014 (Spain, ranked first) and 2018 (Germany, ranked first).
· Belgium's 2-0 defeat against Morocco ended a 13-game unbeaten run in World Cup group stage matches, stretching back to 1994.
· Belgium can lose consecutive matches in the first group stage of the World Cup for the first time since 1970 (versus Soviet Union and Mexico).
· Belgium lost six of their last 15 games (W6-D3-L6), after they were beaten in only five of their first 64 matches under Roberto Martínez (W50-D9-L5).
· Belgium can fail to score in successive matches for the first time since August to September 2010 under Georges Leekens.
· Romelu Lukaku and Marc Wilmots (both 5) are Belgium's joint-leading World Cup goalscorers. Lukaku is one of four players in the current squad who can become the first Belgian to net at three World Cups, alongside Jan Vertonghen, Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens.
· Thibaut Courtois (99) is one short of becoming the seventh player to make 100 appearances for Belgium. All of the six centurions are in the current squad.
· Courtois kept 49 clean sheets in his first 99 appearances for Belgium.
· Courtois is joint-third alongside Franky Van der Elst (both 14) in Belgium's leading World Cup appearance makers, behind only Vincenzo Scifo (17) and Jan Ceulemans (16).
· Amadou Onana is suspended for this match. Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Meunier are one yellow card away from a ban.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Belgium failed to reach the knockout phase in only one of their last seven appearances at the World Cup. They finished third in their group (behind Netherlands and Mexico) and were eliminated in 1998.
· A team in the top two of the FIFA world rankings has been eliminated in the group stage at four of the last five World Cups: 2002 (France, ranked first), 2006 (Czechia, ranked second), 2014 (Spain, ranked first) and 2018 (Germany, ranked first).
· Belgium's 2-0 defeat against Morocco ended a 13-game unbeaten run in World Cup group stage matches, stretching back to 1994.
· Belgium can lose consecutive matches in the first group stage of the World Cup for the first time since 1970 (versus Soviet Union and Mexico).
· Belgium lost six of their last 15 games (W6-D3-L6), after they were beaten in only five of their first 64 matches under Roberto Martínez (W50-D9-L5).
· Belgium can fail to score in successive matches for the first time since August to September 2010 under Georges Leekens.
· Romelu Lukaku and Marc Wilmots (both 5) are Belgium's joint-leading World Cup goalscorers. Lukaku is one of four players in the current squad who can become the first Belgian to net at three World Cups, alongside Jan Vertonghen, Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens.
· Thibaut Courtois (99) is one short of becoming the seventh player to make 100 appearances for Belgium. All of the six centurions are in the current squad.
· Courtois kept 49 clean sheets in his first 99 appearances for Belgium.
· Courtois is joint-third alongside Franky Van der Elst (both 14) in Belgium's leading World Cup appearance makers, behind only Vincenzo Scifo (17) and Jan Ceulemans (16).
· Amadou Onana is suspended for this match. Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Meunier are one yellow card away from a ban.
Courtesy of Gracenote
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