2022 WORLD CUP: Germany and Belgium experienced shocking departures.
Spain almost managed to hold on as Japan and Morocco continued their amazing adventures. Here is our interpretation of a crazy night of World Cup action.
The World Cup is over for Germany
The four-time champions, one of the most powerful footballing nations, have exited the group stage for the second straight tournament. Leaving them to reflect on what could have been.
They contributed by defeating Costa Rica by two goals tonight, but they hadn’t counted on Japan defeating Spain to secure another week in the scorching heat of Qatar.
Hansi Flick’s team prepared their passports for a flight home and a return to the chilly weather.
Germany didn’t play poorly for lengthy stretches throughout this tournament.
They had the highest group-stage xG (10.00) of all 32 teams, and players like Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry shined.
However, Spain’s two goals in three minutes against the same side tonight and eight breathless minutes in their initial match against Japan completely transformed the course of their campaign.
As a result, Flick and his team are suddenly leaving a group they would have anticipated to easily win.
Morocco continues its journey
The riders of Morocco’s historic ride on with topping their group after a 2-1 victory over Canada. Walid Regragui’s squad advanced to the round of 16 of a World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi, and Youssef En-Nesyri all displayed their talent in a counterattacking blitz against the Canadians.
After a tough and disciplined effort against Belgium.
They did so in a group with Belgium and Croatia and had the second-lowest xG in the competition.
They won their games by being clinical and merciless in both boxes. They became the first African side to top a World Cup group since Nigeria in 1998.
Why is the ball needed?
Due to Hajime Moriyasu’s capacity to perform miracles from the bench, Japan has secured first place in the group, ahead of Spain and Germany. In a game that was practically an exact replica of the opening contest (a 2-1 victory against Germany).
Japan battled to maintain possession, was often exposed, and frequently found itself trailing and in peril.
Ritsu Doan and Takumi Asano both came off the bench that day to score the goals that turned the game around.
Moriyasu repeated the move tonight when he brought the latter on to score the equalizer against Luis Enrique’s club.
Golden age over?
The brilliance of Belgium’s golden generation has faded.
For the first time since 1998, the Red Devils did not go past the group stage. They were eliminated in Qatar following a scoreless tie with Croatia.
Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard’s team failed to make an impression in the tournament. The head coach Roberto Martnez announced his resignation after the game.
Thus ending his six-year tenure as coach and presumably the era of some of the best players to ever wear the Belgium jersey.
On matchday one, they were fortunate to upset Canada 1-0, but they were humiliated by Morocco 2-0, and the car stayed in first gear the entire night.
The team may have reached its pinnacle with its semi-final performance in 2018. Everything excellent has to come to an end.
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