The eighth day of World Cup will serve up some tasty-looking fixtures as teams look to book their spots in the last 16.

Japan wanted to back up their shock victory against Germany but were downed by Costa Rica to blow Group E wide open.

Belgium followed up an unconvincing win over Canada by losing to Morocco before Croatia take on take on Alphonso Davies‘ side.

The day’s final match sees two European heavyweights square off as Spain play Germany.

Stay tuned here for updates throughout Sunday’s action.

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Japan missed the opportunity to all but seal their spot in the last 16 as they were surprisingly beaten by Costa Rica.

Japan dominated throughout but struggled to create clear opportunities before Keysher Fuller Spence managed to curl one over Shuichi Gonga. The goalkeeper got a glove to the strike but couldn’t keep it out.

Substitute Kaoru Mitoma was lively down the left but couldn’t force an opening as Costa Rica bounced back from their 7-0 humbling from Spain to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Three sides sit on three points each now, with Germany able to level the group playing field if they manage to beat Spain later on Sunday.

Costa Rica keep hopes alive

Costa Rica relied on some dark arts to disrupt Japan’s rhythm. They couldn’t put attacking phases together but did enough to keep their opponents before striking a knockout blow of their own.

Their first shot on target this World Cup resulted in their game-winning goal. Costa Rica stole possession high up the pitch as Yeltsin Tejeda fed Fuller. The 28-year-old wing back kept his composure to give Costa Rica a chance heading into the final matchday.

They will know what they need a little clearer once Spain and Germany square off on Sunday night.

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Morocco pulled off the latest shock of this World Cup as they deservedly beat Belgium 2-0 to improve their chances of reaching the round of 16.

Belgium were themselves in a good position to ensure their passage to the next round after beating Canada in their first game, but they were woefully off the pace today and failed to lay a glove on the vastly superior North African side.

Abdelhamid Sabiri scored with an excellent free-kick, before Zakaria Aboukhlal struck in the dying moments to secure the three points.

The result leaves Group F finely poised as we turn to Canada vs Croatia next.

Belgium’s ‚Golden Generation‘ shows its age in meek defeat

So much has been made of the talent in this Belgium side over the years, but it may be time to accept that their Golden Generation is officially past its best.

Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Eden Hazard, Axel Witsel – everywhere you looked, generational Belgian talent was showing its age and allowing Morocco to seize the initiative in this match. The less said about Romelu Lukaku, the better.

Belgium could easily still reach the round of 16 – but if they want to challenge for the trophy anytime soon, they’ll need to bid goodbye to a few of their elder statesmen.

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Preview

Two more sides looking for their first goals of the 2022 World Cup collide at the Khalifa International Stadium when Croatia face Canada.

Croatia reached the final in 2018 but spluttered in their opener against Morocco in a game of few chances, Their old heads will call on all their experience against Canada, who are led by the youthful exuberance of Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David.

Davies missed a penalty against Belgium. The North Americans were unlucky in that fixture but know another defeat here would see them knocked out.

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Preview

Spain and Germany were initially pegged as the two favourites for Group E, though only one got started positively in their opener.

Spain were lethal in front of goal despite playing about a billion midfielders and could book their last 16 spot with victory over Germany if Costa Rica fail to beat Japan.

Germany, on the other hand, know they will be eliminated if Japan avoid defeat and they lose to Spain. The stakes are pretty high, and in a World Cup full of shocks so far, Sunday night could see a powerhouse nation knocked out.