Goals on goals on goals 🌟⚽️🏟️🏆

Another day of World Cup action in Qatar. This time we had one of the biggest matchups scheduled to take place during the group stage. Spain and Germany on the pitch at the same time would surely show fans all the excitement they could ever ask for. That would be one of 4 great matches to be played on this day.

Before we jump to the more recent matches, I want to remind you that I also wrote about many other games recently...

Tunisia🇹🇳 vs Australia🇦🇺
Poland🇵🇱 vs Saudi Arabia🇸🇦
France🇫🇷 vs Denmark🇩🇰
Argentina🇦🇷 vs Mexico🇲🇽

^{If you want to go back and see that recap, just visit this link.}

Now back to our most recent day of football. Time to look at the details of the matches and break down what happened for each team that played.

Let's recap four more games from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar...

Japan🇯🇵 vs Costa Rica🇨🇷

^{My Prediction: Japan}

Japan's first match was a huge upset win over Germany. Costa Rica on the other hand was dismantled by Spain in their opening game. This would lead one to think that Japan would surely defeat Costa Rica, but this is the opposite of the truth. Japan was stunned by Costa Rica and unable to pick up a single goal. Costa Rica was the only team able to score during this match.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596831158708207616?s=20&t=PVCgKMApg1AS2WsjCsS31g
- FOXSoccer

With Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica each having a win in this group, it will be especially interesting to see if Germany can bounce back and defeat a hot Spanish team. If that were to happen, then each team would have 4 points and this would mean that any team would still have a chance to advance to the knockout stage. Japan's next match is versus Spain and they absolutely must win it. Germany will get to put Costa Rica under yet another test of their true ability in their final match.

Result: 0-1 in favor of Costa Rica

Belgium🇧🇪 vs Morocco🇲🇦

^{My Prediction: Belgium}

Perhaps it was a bad translation, but the confidence of Belgium's star Kevin De Bruyne during a recent interview was not a good sign for Belgium. He seems to believe that his team is too old to be able to compete at a high-level. I wouldn't want to play with somebody with that kind of attitude toward winning. Like I said, maybe it was just lost in translation and he wasn't as blunt as it seems when he initially spoke.

Kevin De Bruyne.jpg

Morocco's last World Cup win was back in 1998, so most expected Belgium to win, especially since they came into this tournament ranked #2 on most lists. Through the start of the match, Belgium was playing well and their players were showing that confidence despite what De Bryune said. Watch as their keeper decides to not pick up the ball and instead gracefully tricks one of the Moroccon players.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596857934914330624?s=20&t=C2bqvMdM69h6Kp96Dg_I8g
- FOXSoccer

Morocco was not silent though as they scored a stellar goal just before the first half ended when they were awarded a free kick just outside of the box. A beautiful left-footed shot slipped by Belgium's goalie to give Morocco the surprise lead at the half. Sadly for them, the refs took the goal away shortly after it was scored due to an offsides call that normally wouldn't have been noticed. It's a love/hate relationship with VAR (Video Assistant Referee).

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596863787201699840?s=20&t=PVCgKMApg1AS2WsjCsS31g
- FOXSoccer

Moroccan substitute Sabiri came in clutch for his country in the 73rd minute as he scored off a free kick that bamboozled Belgium. I'm not sure why Belgium didn't have a man on the near post, huge error on their part. It doesn't get much better than this in terms of set pieces for Morocco.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596875153874771969?s=20&t=CyoBEMfDIwDAwuQpPpx3OA
- FOXSoccer

The Moroccan madness continued as they scored yet another goal. This time in extra time as Aboukhlal clinched a crucial goal in the 92nd minute. The placement was flawless and proved yet again that Belgium's defense was unable to shut down Morocco.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596880070475452423?s=20&t=NlLHugKUv_qAO1Sxi2RSCQ
- FOXSoccer

This was a very impressive performance by Morocco, they deserved every bit of this win in this Moroccan masterpiece. Belgium was dominated in every way and the final score very obviously shows this. Next up for Morocco is Canada and Belgium will take on a tough Croatian team.

Result: 0-2 in favor of Morocco

Croatia🇭🇷 vs Canada🇨🇦

^{My Prediction: Croatia}

Not many expected Canada to keep up with the 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia. Canadians shocked viewers and players alike when Alphonso Davies connected with a header-turned-goal in the 2nd minute of the match. This was Canada's first World Cup goal ever and the quickest one so far during this World Cup. Hopes were all of a sudden high when Canada claimed an early lead, but it wouldn't last.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596900532983017472?s=20&t=VzTN2rqFgTulI_rhaCidvg
- FOXSoccer

Canada started playing on the defensive side of things and after some time Croatia eventually figured out how to break them down. They scored a goal that was removed due to offsides, but it ignited their offense. Soon after, two goals were scored before the half's end. The first of Croatia's came in the 36th minute by Kramarić and then another in the 44th minute by Livaja. This gave Croatia the lead going into halftime up 2-1.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596906347970416644?s=20&t=VzTN2rqFgTulI_rhaCidvg
- FOXSoccer

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596908191924756483?s=20&t=VzTN2rqFgTulI_rhaCidvg
- FOXSoccer

Croatia continued to dominate throgh the second half, scoring two more goals. Another by Kramarić, this time in the 70th minute. Then to cap it all off, Majer scored in extra time just before the match ended. It had gotten pretty ugly by the time the final score was witnessed. Canada is now officially eliminated from the World Cup but has one more match against Morocco. Croatia will look to eliminate Belgium in their next match.

Result: 4-1 in favor of Croatia

Spain🇪🇸 vs Germany🇩🇪

^{My Prediction: Spain}

This looked to be the most exciting match of the group stage. It was the only matchup between two previous World Cup winners. Spain was fresh off a 7-0 win against Costa Rica. Germany on the other hand was most recently upset by Japan. Spain looked to be poised to come out on top, but the match was just as close as most Spain vs Germany matches are. The first half was scoreless, although both teams were fighting for a goal. There wasn't a goal until substitutions started happening. Spain subbed Morata in during the 54th minute and he scored soon after in the 62nd minute to give Spain the lead.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596962504475041793?s=20&t=xcsLSsJWje9UwxB-LPnIfw
- FOXSoccer

Spain's defense was tested many times after they scored, but Germany just couldn't get the equalizer that they needed. That was until Füllkrug saved the day with his goal in the 83rd minute. This kept the Germans from being eliminated during the group stage for the first time ever.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596967742208413696?s=20&t=xcsLSsJWje9UwxB-LPnIfw
- FOXSoccer

Germany's hopes are slim even now, but they at least still have a chance to survive. They have a must-win match against Costa Rica, while Spain faces Japan next. This group is far from finalized. One massive stat to keep in mind is that Germany has only won one World Cup game since the 2014 final.

Result: 1-1 draw

Another day in the books 📒

This was a day full of matches where goals were scored. The 0-0 draws were starting to get old, so it's a good thing these teams figured out how to score. All but one of the games had a winner and overall I'd say this was one of the best days of the 2022 World Cup so far.

^{Don't forget about the Hive account@hivebuzz World Cup contest @hivebuzz/wc2022}