World Cup updates: Inspiring Japan advance, Germany eliminated
Japan and Morocco progress to the knockout stage as four-time champions Germany crash out for the second-consecutive time.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on World Cup 2022 on Thursday, December 1.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on World Cup 2022 on Thursday, December 1.
- Japan reach the Round of 16 after defeating European giant Spain 2-1.
- Germany crash out of the World Cup despite defeating Costa Rica 4-2.
- It was Germany’s second consecutive World Cup group-stage exit.
- Earlier, Morocco beat Canada 2-1, entering the knockout stage for the first time since 1986. The Atlas Lions become the first African team to top a World Cup group since 1998.
- Second-ranked Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup after a goalless draw with Croatia on Thursday night.
Japan aims for best World Cup finish after win
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu says he was setting his sights on a best-ever finish for the country at the World Cup after they stunned Spain 2-1 to finish top of Group E on Thursday.
The Samurai Blue will face Croatia in the next round but Moriyasu is looking even further down the line, having beaten and helped eliminate four-time champions Germany.
“In terms of a finish, the new aim for us is the last eight,” said Moriyasu. “I would like to set a new record of the last eight or better.”
Meanwhile, Japan fans are calling their team’s victory a “miracle” as they celebrate outside Khalifa Stadium.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, a Japanese fan said “I cannot believe it. It’s amazing, it’s a miracle.”
Celebrations for Japan as Spain takes sigh of relief
Germany has been eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup for the second tournament in a row.
The four-time champions beat Costa Rice 4-2 but it wasn’t enough to advance to the Round of 16.
Japan’s 2-1 victory over Spain has allowed both of those teams to advance instead, with the Japanese team at the top of the group.
Canada proud despite defeat
Canada coach John Herdman says his team will depart the World Cup with heads held high after their tournament ended in a third straight defeat against Morocco earlier tonight.
The Canadians returned to the World Cup for the first time since the 1986 finals in Mexico, but were unable to bring back that winning form in Group F, where they suffered defeats to Belgium and Croatia before Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Morocco.
English coach Herdman, however, said the team was proud of its performance in Qatar.
“It’s been the first time in a long time we’ve been here,” Herdman said. “We’d have liked to have been here longer but we’ve enjoyed the ride.
Morocco’s win is a victory for ‘all Arabs’
As the only Arab team to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup, Morocco’s win earlier tonight triggers celebrations.
All-female referee team takes charge at Germany vs Costa Rica match
For the first time at the men’s World Cup, an all-female referee team is officiating a match tonight.
France’s Stéphanie Frappart is the one with the cards in her pocket at the game between Germany and Costa Rica. Assisting her are Neuza Back of Brazil and Mexico’s Karen Díaz Medina.
To see what else is new at this World Cup, have a look at our list here.
Croatia captain overjoyed to reach last 16
Croatia captain Luka Modric says he is overjoyed to reach the World Cup knockout stage after his side resisted a late onslaught from Belgium to draw 0-0.
“We are overjoyed that we are in the round of 16,” Modric said.
“We deserved that with the game we played. We lived through some very difficult moments as we were playing against a great team.”
Romelu Lukaku missed a golden chance for Belgium in the final minutes as he appeared caught in two minds and chested down a powerful cross instead of shooting or attempting a header.
“We have achieved the first goal, now let’s move on. Today we showed that we are a top team, that we can play against anyone, and whoever comes next, it will not be easy against us.”
Belgium exit World Cup ‘with heads held high’: Martinez
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has said his team will be leaving the World Cup with their “heads held high” despite being dumped out in the group stage after a goalless draw with Croatia.
“Today, we were ready, we created opportunities and today, there is no regrets,” said Martinez.
“We’re out but we can leave with our heads held high.”
Belgium finished third in their group behind Croatia and Morocco who backed up their surprise 2-0 win over the Red Devils by beating Canada 2-1.
Morocco fans around the world celebrate team’s win
Morocco’s advance to the knockout stage causes celebrations in the Belgian capital Brussels, which is home to a large Moroccan diaspora.
Morocco fans came out onto the streets after the Atlas Lions got the better of Canada.
“We are very happy, and we will win the World Cup,” a fan told Al Jazeera.
“They have lived in Belgium for generations, many of them are born here, but today, they are cheering for Morocco,” Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen said.
Brazil World Cup clash ‘takes me back’: Cameroon coach
Rigobert Song leads Cameroon into their do-or-die World Cup clash with Brazil on Friday, and the game in Doha is bringing back memories for the Indomitable Lions coach of one of his first experiences at the tournament.
Song is now 46, but he was only 17 when he played against Brazil with Cameroon at the 1994 World Cup in the United States and was sent off in a 3-0 defeat.
“You are taking me back. These are memories, and it was every kid’s dream to play against Brazil,” Song said.
Song went on to play in four World Cups as a player, then at the 2014 World Cup became team manager of a Cameroon side who played Brazil in their last group game and lost 4-1.
Now at his sixth World Cup, Song knows Cameroon have to win Friday’s match at the Lusail Stadium and hope Switzerland do not beat Serbia in the other Group G game at the same time if they are to advance to the last 16.
Moroccans in Canada cheer for their homeland as game progresses
Loyalties and hearts remain torn in a neighbourhood in Montreal where a large number of Moroccans reside.
Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo says at least a 100,000 Moroccans reside in Canada, with 40,000 of them based in Montreal alone. Many are eagerly watching Canada play their country, hoping Morocco will make it to the group of 16 today after almost 40 years.
“We love Canada but we love our homeland even more,” is the popular sentiment coming out of these spectators, Elizondo says.
Brazil to decide on Neymar after Cameroon game
Brazil will be re-evaluating Neymar’s condition and deciding about his chances of playing again at this year’s World Cup after Friday’s game against Cameroon.
Neymar had hurt his right ankle in the team’s opener against Serbia and was ruled out for the rest of group stage. Also not playing against Cameroon because of injury were right back Danilo and left back Alex Sandro.
“They are progressing,” Brazil assistant coach Cléber Xavier said. “We are focused on the game against Cameroon, and then we will start the decision-making process about these players. We already have a plan prepared for their return.”
Canada vs Morocco match has kicked off. You can follow the live blog here.
The Croatia vs Belgium match has started. You can follow the live blog here.
Who do you think will win?
Canada play Morocco in the other #FIFAWorldCup Group F game, with the Moroccans needing a win or a draw to reach the last 16.
Make your #CANMAR match prediction below 👇
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) December 1, 2022
Who do you think will win?
🇭🇷Croatia and Belgium 🇧🇪 from Group F to face off on day 12 of the #FIFAWorldCup
Let us know your prediction for the #CROBEL match 👇
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) December 1, 2022
Morocco fans chanting before Canada clash
Canada has ‘nothing to lose’: Morocco fan
Linah, who is originally from Rabat and has flown in from Dubai for the game, says the only thing that worries her is that team Canada is playing under no pressure having been already knocked out of the tournament.
“They have nothing to lose … that’s all that worries me … But there will be a lot of pressure on our players to do well,” the 12-year-old told Al Jazeera.
“My mind tells me we will win. We have several good players like Hakimi, they only have Alphonso Davies,” she said as her father Khalil looked on.
Linah said there was added pressure, considering all the other Arab nations are hoping for an Atlas Lions win.
“I feel like we are now the representatives of the Arab world now … and that’s great,” she added, as she posed for the cameras shouting “Always Morocco! Morocco forever!”
Meanwhile, the atmosphere has really picked up with thousands of fans now here at the stadium compared with before. Amin a Moroccon from Marrakesh said he believes many people in his country are not always eager to come super early in order to avoid the sun and humidity.
Despite early World Cup exit, Canada have high hopes for future
Montreal, Canada – Rocco Placentino says it still feels surreal.
Less than two years ago, Ismael Kone was playing football for CS Saint-Laurent, a semi-professional team in Montreal, where Placentino, a former midfielder with the Montreal Impact, is the sporting director.
And now, at just 20 years old, Kone is competing on the sport’s biggest stage in front of tens of thousands of spectators at the 2022 World Cup.
Read the story by Al Jazeera’s Jillian Kestler D’Amours here.
Fans starting to arrive at Al Thumama Stadium before Morocco vs Canada
‘Victory will be ours’: Atlas Lion fan
Mohammed Bougharaa, a student from Fez, says he is “very confident” Morocco will represent the Arab world in the next stage of the World Cup.
“All we need is a draw … I am very confident that victory will be ours,” the 22-year-old told Al Jazeera.
He said he has met many Arabs from places like Palestine, Jordan and Saudi who are cheering for them.
“We want this win not only for Morocco but the rest of our brothers in the region… it will make a lot of people happy if we win,” he added.
Japan vs Spain, Germany vs Costa Rica predictions: World Cup 2022
Al Jazeera’s AI robot, Kashef, has crunched the numbers and churned out some predictions for today’s games – Japan vs Spain and Germany vs Costa Rica.
Check them out here.
World Cup 2022 predictions: Canada vs Morocco, Croatia vs Belgium
Al Jazeera’s AI robot Kashef has crunched the numbers and churned out some predictions for today’s games – Canada vs Morocco and Croatia vs Belgium.
Check them out here.
Argentina fans ‘want to win the cup for Messi’
Superstar Lionel Messi, viewed by many as the best football player of his generation — and perhaps of all time, is 35 years old and likely in his last World Cup.
As he tries to get his hands on the one trophy that has eluded him, he has a nation and its fans behind him – both back home and in Qatar.
Fans try to repay their football idol by chanting his name loudly during matches. They say they will not stop until he lifts the World Cup at Lusail Stadium on December 18.
Read our story here.
Iran’s national team receives subdued welcome home
Iran’s national football team has received a subdued welcome home after their World Cup defeat against the United States, against the backdrop of continuing anti-government protests.
The players returned from Qatar late on Wednesday, a day after their 1-0 loss. Anti-government protesters, considering the team a symbol of the regime, celebrated the loss in some Iranian cities with fireworks and cheers.
One man was shot dead by Iranian security forces in northwest Iran for honking his car horn in support of the USA victory, the Oslo-based rights monitor Iran Human Rights reported.
Iran’s treatment of the players will likely be scrutinised because they refrained from singing the country’s national anthem during their opening World Cup match.
How music became embedded in Ghanaian football fan culture
After Ghana qualified for the 2022 World Cup, new songs were released including most notably a freestyle track from Asamoah Gyan who is now retired, as well as from highlife musician Akwaboah and rapper Kweku Flick.
But the proud footballing nation has been churning out tunes since 2006, when it made its maiden appearance at the World Cup.
Read our story here.