Another dramatic week has gone by in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Doha, Qatar, with shocking results, huge goals and incredible magic moments that keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
Different teams, different stories - some teams are sent home early, while others are beginning to dream on how far they can go.
Let's check out the key events from an exciting second week of the world's biggest soccer tournament.
Japan 2 - Spain 1
It looks like Japan's dream of getting far into this year's World Cup is getting answered little by little. On Thursday, as the Samurai Blue team beat Spain, Germany outdid Costa Rica, clearing its path to win the group.
If Japan failed to make a comeback in the second half, Germany and Spain would have advanced instead.
As Group E winners, Japan will face off against Croatia on Monday, December 5.
Morocco 2 - Canada 1
For the first time since 1986, Morocco advanced to the knockout round thanks to its 2-1 win over Canada.
Germany 4 - Costa Rica 2
Germany dominated Costa Rica 4-2 in its final group stage match, but it was dependent on Spain to win or draw against Japan to have any chance of advancing.
Germany eliminated from the World Cup after finale to Group E
Germany was booted out of the 2022 World Cup on Thursday, December 1, after a rather extraordinary finale to Group E, even though they managed to defeat Costa Rica.
Germany coach Hansi Flick said to Reuters that the disappointment is huge for Germany's squad, "In the first half I was disappointed and very angry at my team and how we allowed the opponent to come back. We wanted to score three or four goals in the first half but then we made mistakes. If we had converted those chances, 16 of them. But the tournament was not decided today for us. We did not have any efficiency at this tournament and that is why we were eliminated."
Japan defeats Spain and Germany to win Group E
In a group usually headlined by Germany and Spain, Japan astoundingly came out on top by defeating Spain 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday.
The conclusion to Group E means that Japan will face Croatia next, and it will be Spain versus Morocco.
The night was also a momentous one for another reason - Stephanie Frappart became the first women to referee a men's World Cup match.
With assistants Neuza Back from Brazil and Karen Diaz from Mexico, the French referee was part of a trio of all-female referees tasked to oversee the match between Germany and Costa Rica.
Things are only getting started at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022!Who's your favorite team to win this year's World Cup?
Source:
https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022
https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/2022-fifa-world-cup
