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Matchday 8 Live Blog: Spain v Germany, Croatia eliminates Canada, Morocco & Costa Rica triumph
Join us for Matchday 8 as we bring you the key moments and highlights from today's FIFA World Cup fixtures.
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By SBS Sport
Source: SBS
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Spain v Germany ends 1-1.
Germany will rue their missed chances but they are still alive in the group, and are surely slight favourites to progress with a kinder fixture in the last round.
Germany will rue their missed chances but they are still alive in the group, and are surely slight favourites to progress with a kinder fixture in the last round.
Germany are level!
83' - Füllkrug powers the ball home into the top corner - Unai Simon had no chance with that!
Germany miss golden chance
74' - Musiala has a one-on-one with Unai Simon only to hit it straight at the Spanish keeper. These chances won't come along often.
Morata puts Spain ahead!
62' - Jordi Alba puts a delightful ball through to Morata who finishes with class - Germany are on the brink!
Unai Simon saves to deny Germany
56' - Great diving save from the Spanish keeper!
We're back under way
The second half kicks off - let's see if Germany go for it
Half time
Both teams will be relieved to not be behind after chances at either end were saved or disallowed
Germany have it in the net, chalked offside
38' - Rudiger heads home from a set piece only for VAR to rule it offside
Olmo hits the woodwork!
6' - Neuer pulls off a fantastic save to push Olmo's shot onto the crossbar.
Spain are looking lively!
Spain are looking lively!
Here we go!
The referee starts this high-stakes match between Spain and Germany at Al Bayt Stadium.
Germany can't lose or they're out!
Germany can't lose or they're out!
Germany Stats
· Germany will be eliminated if they lose this match AND Japan do not lose against Costa Rica.
· Germany's opening match this tournament was a 2-1 loss against Japan in Doha on Wednesday. Germany recorded 26 shots (including 8 on target), Japan eight (including 3 on target).
· Germany (including West Germany) made it past the World Cup group stage in 16 of their 17 World Cup appearances in which a group stage was contested (not in 1934 and 1938). They failed to do so in 2018, when they, as reigning World Cup holders, finished fourth in a group that contained Sweden, Mexico and Korea Republic.
· Germany were 1-0 up (penalty by Ilkay Gündogan) and conceded just two shot attempts until Japan's Takuma Asano came off the bench in the 57th minute. Japan recorded nine shot attempts in the remainder of the game, scoring twice, including a winner by Asano (83').
· Germany (including West Germany) lost their opening match of a World Cup for the third time, after 1982 (2-1 against Algeria) and 2018 (1-0 against Mexico).
· Germany (including West Germany) have never lost their opening two fixtures at a single World Cup. They only failed to win their opening two fixtures of a World Cup in 1938, when they drew 1-1 against Switzerland and lost the replay 4-2 against Switzerland five days later.
· Germany could lose three successive World Cup matches for the first time. They lost 2-0 to Korea Republic (2018) and 2-1 against Japan (2022).
· Germany won each of their first eight matches under Hansi Flick, but have won only two of their nine games since (W2-D5-L2). Their only defeat under Flick other than their World Cup match against Japan (2-1) was a 1-0 Nations League loss versus Hungary in Leipzig on 23 September 2022.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Germany's opening match this tournament was a 2-1 loss against Japan in Doha on Wednesday. Germany recorded 26 shots (including 8 on target), Japan eight (including 3 on target).
· Germany (including West Germany) made it past the World Cup group stage in 16 of their 17 World Cup appearances in which a group stage was contested (not in 1934 and 1938). They failed to do so in 2018, when they, as reigning World Cup holders, finished fourth in a group that contained Sweden, Mexico and Korea Republic.
· Germany were 1-0 up (penalty by Ilkay Gündogan) and conceded just two shot attempts until Japan's Takuma Asano came off the bench in the 57th minute. Japan recorded nine shot attempts in the remainder of the game, scoring twice, including a winner by Asano (83').
· Germany (including West Germany) lost their opening match of a World Cup for the third time, after 1982 (2-1 against Algeria) and 2018 (1-0 against Mexico).
· Germany (including West Germany) have never lost their opening two fixtures at a single World Cup. They only failed to win their opening two fixtures of a World Cup in 1938, when they drew 1-1 against Switzerland and lost the replay 4-2 against Switzerland five days later.
· Germany could lose three successive World Cup matches for the first time. They lost 2-0 to Korea Republic (2018) and 2-1 against Japan (2022).
· Germany won each of their first eight matches under Hansi Flick, but have won only two of their nine games since (W2-D5-L2). Their only defeat under Flick other than their World Cup match against Japan (2-1) was a 1-0 Nations League loss versus Hungary in Leipzig on 23 September 2022.
Courtesy of Gracenote
Spain Stats
· Spain will qualify for the knockout phase if the win this match AND Costa Rica do not win against Japan.
· Spain claimed their biggest World Cup victory in their 7-0 win against Costa Rica in Doha on Wednesday. It was the biggest winning margin in a World Cup game since Portugal's 7-0 group stage victory over Korea DPR in 2010.
· Spain scored their seven goals against Costa Rica from just eight attempts on target. La Roja had 82% possession and recorded 1.043 passes (94% pass accuracy).
· Spain have already scored as many goals at the 2022 World Cup (7) as in their four matches at the 2018 World Cup (7). They have not scored more than seven goals at a single World Cup since scoring eight in their title-winning 2010 World Cup. In 2010, they scored four of their eight goals in the group stage.
· Spain recorded double figures in goals scored at the World Cup in 1986 (11), 1950 (10), 1994 (10) and 2002 (10).
· Spain could win back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time since they won the World Cup in 2010 (six successive wins). Spain won their opening two World Cup games in 1950, 2002 and 2006.
· Gavi (18y-110d on 23 November) became Spain's youngest goalscorer and appearance maker at a major tournament (EUROs/World Cup) in their match against Costa Rica.
· Gavi (18y-110d) became the third-youngest player to score a World Cup goal, after Brazil's Pelé (17y-239d in 1958) and Mexico's Manuel Rosas (18y-93d in 1930).
· Gavi can become the fourth player to score multiple World Cup goals before his 19th birthday, after Pelé (6 goals, Brazil), Michael Owen (2, England), Manuel Rosas (2, Mexico). Note: Excludes matches played on 24-26 November.
· Sergio Busquets (14 matches) can move joint-third in Spain's World Cup appearance makers, alongside Xavi (15). Iker Casillas (17), Sergio Ramos (17) and Andoni Zubizarreta (16) are above them.
· Álvaro Morata (28 goals) is sixth in Spain's all-time leading goalscorers. Fernando Hierro (29) is fifth on the list.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Spain claimed their biggest World Cup victory in their 7-0 win against Costa Rica in Doha on Wednesday. It was the biggest winning margin in a World Cup game since Portugal's 7-0 group stage victory over Korea DPR in 2010.
· Spain scored their seven goals against Costa Rica from just eight attempts on target. La Roja had 82% possession and recorded 1.043 passes (94% pass accuracy).
· Spain have already scored as many goals at the 2022 World Cup (7) as in their four matches at the 2018 World Cup (7). They have not scored more than seven goals at a single World Cup since scoring eight in their title-winning 2010 World Cup. In 2010, they scored four of their eight goals in the group stage.
· Spain recorded double figures in goals scored at the World Cup in 1986 (11), 1950 (10), 1994 (10) and 2002 (10).
· Spain could win back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time since they won the World Cup in 2010 (six successive wins). Spain won their opening two World Cup games in 1950, 2002 and 2006.
· Gavi (18y-110d on 23 November) became Spain's youngest goalscorer and appearance maker at a major tournament (EUROs/World Cup) in their match against Costa Rica.
· Gavi (18y-110d) became the third-youngest player to score a World Cup goal, after Brazil's Pelé (17y-239d in 1958) and Mexico's Manuel Rosas (18y-93d in 1930).
· Gavi can become the fourth player to score multiple World Cup goals before his 19th birthday, after Pelé (6 goals, Brazil), Michael Owen (2, England), Manuel Rosas (2, Mexico). Note: Excludes matches played on 24-26 November.
· Sergio Busquets (14 matches) can move joint-third in Spain's World Cup appearance makers, alongside Xavi (15). Iker Casillas (17), Sergio Ramos (17) and Andoni Zubizarreta (16) are above them.
· Álvaro Morata (28 goals) is sixth in Spain's all-time leading goalscorers. Fernando Hierro (29) is fifth on the list.
Courtesy of Gracenote
Head to head: Spain v Germany
· Spain and Germany (including West Germany) have met 25 times before. Germany won nine times, Spain eight and there were eight draws.
· Spain have only lost as many fixtures against England (13), France (13) and Italy (11) as against Germany (9).
· Spain and Germany (including West Germany) meet for the fifth time at the World Cup. Germany had the upper hand in the first two encounters, in the group stage at Villa Park in Birmingham in 1966 (2-1) and the second round at Bernabéu in Madrid in 1982 (2-1).
· Germany and Spain drew 1-1 in the group stage at Soldier Field in Chicago at the 1994 World Cup. Jon Goikoetxea (14') scored the opening goal for Spain, Jürgen Klinsmann (48') scored the equaliser. Luis Enrique played the full 90 minutes.
· Their most recent World Cup meeting came in the 2010 semi-finals in Durban. Spain reached the final after beating Germany 1-0, courtesy of a goal by Carles Puyol (73'). Spain went on to win their first World Cup after beating Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in the final (Andrés Iniesta 116').
· Spain defeated Germany 1-0 in Vienna in the final of EURO 2008 (29 June 2008). Fernando Torres (33') scored the only goal to end the Spaniards 44-year wait for their second major trophy (after EURO 1964).
· These teams meet for the first time since the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League. They drew 1-1 in Stuttgart on 3 September 2020. The reverse fixture resulted in a 6-0 win for Spain in Seville on 17 November 2020. Ferrán Torres (3), Álvaro Morata, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal scored in that 6-0 victory.
· Germany's 6-0 defeat against Spain in 2020 counts as their biggest defeat since a 6-0 friendly loss against Austria in 1931.
· Club teammates who could be in opposition are Marc-André ter Stegen and Eric García/Sergio Busquets/Gavi/Ferran Torres/Jordi Alba/Ansu Fati/Pedri/Alejandro Balde (FC Barcelona), Kai Havertz and César Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Ilkay Gündogan and Rodri/Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), David Raum/Lukas Klostermann and Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger and Marco Asensio/Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid).
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Spain have only lost as many fixtures against England (13), France (13) and Italy (11) as against Germany (9).
· Spain and Germany (including West Germany) meet for the fifth time at the World Cup. Germany had the upper hand in the first two encounters, in the group stage at Villa Park in Birmingham in 1966 (2-1) and the second round at Bernabéu in Madrid in 1982 (2-1).
· Germany and Spain drew 1-1 in the group stage at Soldier Field in Chicago at the 1994 World Cup. Jon Goikoetxea (14') scored the opening goal for Spain, Jürgen Klinsmann (48') scored the equaliser. Luis Enrique played the full 90 minutes.
· Their most recent World Cup meeting came in the 2010 semi-finals in Durban. Spain reached the final after beating Germany 1-0, courtesy of a goal by Carles Puyol (73'). Spain went on to win their first World Cup after beating Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in the final (Andrés Iniesta 116').
· Spain defeated Germany 1-0 in Vienna in the final of EURO 2008 (29 June 2008). Fernando Torres (33') scored the only goal to end the Spaniards 44-year wait for their second major trophy (after EURO 1964).
· These teams meet for the first time since the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League. They drew 1-1 in Stuttgart on 3 September 2020. The reverse fixture resulted in a 6-0 win for Spain in Seville on 17 November 2020. Ferrán Torres (3), Álvaro Morata, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal scored in that 6-0 victory.
· Germany's 6-0 defeat against Spain in 2020 counts as their biggest defeat since a 6-0 friendly loss against Austria in 1931.
· Club teammates who could be in opposition are Marc-André ter Stegen and Eric García/Sergio Busquets/Gavi/Ferran Torres/Jordi Alba/Ansu Fati/Pedri/Alejandro Balde (FC Barcelona), Kai Havertz and César Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Ilkay Gündogan and Rodri/Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), David Raum/Lukas Klostermann and Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger and Marco Asensio/Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid).
Courtesy of Gracenote
That's full time - thanks for following!
Canada will be heading home after their final with this defeat at the hand of Croatia.
The 2018 finalists roared back after going behind early - they'll be ones to watch moving forward.
The 2018 finalists roared back after going behind early - they'll be ones to watch moving forward.
Croatia adds a fourth
90+4' - Croatia spring forward on the break to add a fourth, breaking Canadian hearts.
Majer finishes easily to send Croatia clear.
Majer finishes easily to send Croatia clear.
Kramaric gets his second, Croatia's third
71' - Kramaric scores his second, Croatia's third
Kramaric gets the ball at his feet in the box from a cross and makes no mistake, going to his left and finishing perfectly in the opposite corner to make it 3-1.
Canada are on the verge of being eliminated from Round of 16 contention, two goals down with 20 minutes to go.
Kramaric gets the ball at his feet in the box from a cross and makes no mistake, going to his left and finishing perfectly in the opposite corner to make it 3-1.
Canada are on the verge of being eliminated from Round of 16 contention, two goals down with 20 minutes to go.
Second half underway
45' - Second half starts
We're underway with the second 45 minutes from Khalifa International Stadium with Croatia leading Canada 2-1.
We're underway with the second 45 minutes from Khalifa International Stadium with Croatia leading Canada 2-1.
Half-time whistle blows
45' - The referee blows the whistle for half-time
An incredible first half ends 2-1 with Croatia taking the advantage into the break after a flurry in the final 10 minutes saw them take the lead back after Alphonso Davies second minute opener for Canada.
Join us soon for the second half.
An incredible first half ends 2-1 with Croatia taking the advantage into the break after a flurry in the final 10 minutes saw them take the lead back after Alphonso Davies second minute opener for Canada.
Join us soon for the second half.
Livaja makes it two for Croatia!
44' - Just like that Croatia lead!
Juranovic slides a ball into Livaja on the edge of the box and the forward makes no mistake, firing low past Borjan for Croatia's second in under 10 minutes, what a response!
Juranovic slides a ball into Livaja on the edge of the box and the forward makes no mistake, firing low past Borjan for Croatia's second in under 10 minutes, what a response!
Kramaric equalises for Croatia!
36' - Croatia get one back!
The 2018 finalists sustain pressure after a corner and Perisic slides the ball into Kramaric who smoothly slots the ball past Borjan to make it 1-1.
The 2018 finalists sustain pressure after a corner and Perisic slides the ball into Kramaric who smoothly slots the ball past Borjan to make it 1-1.
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