► Morocco holds in check the Croatian vice-world champions (0-0)
Slow beginnings. The Croatian vice-world champions and their leader Luka Modric did not shine for their entry into the running at the 2022 World Cup by conceding a sad and tasteless draw against Morocco (0-0), Wednesday at the Al-Bayt stadium.
We were entitled to expect much more from the checkered selection, four years after a Russian campaign only stopped in the final by France. Is it a lack of renewal for a team that always relies on the same framework?
Still, the formation of Zlatko Dalic appeared uninspired and without genius, unable to seriously shake up “Atlas Lions” solid, if not brilliant.
► The Japanese achieve the feat against Germany (2-1)
Germany, four-time world champion, missed its entry into the World Cup 2022 on Wednesday by losing 2-1 against a valiant team from Japan, in the first match of group E at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha. After Argentina’s defeat on Tuesday against Saudi Arabia, this is the second big surprise of the World Cup in Qatar.
Ahead of the encounter, the German players had ostensibly put their hands over their mouths in the team photo in an apparent protest at threats of sporting sanctions from Fifa to prevent the wearing of armbands ” One Love “ in Qatar.
The seven European federations, including Germany, which had planned to wear a colored armband ” One Love “ against discrimination, gave up on Monday in the face of the threat of “sporting penalties” by Fifa, which did not specify them. This threat has been widely criticized in Germany where many voices have been raised calling on Mannschaft players to defy it.
► Spain, conqueror, sweeps Costa Rica 7-0
Spain, unlike Germany surprised shortly before by Japan in Group E of the 2022 World Cup, did not tremble against Costa Rica, which they swept 7-0 with a brace from Ferran Torres, at the stadium al-Thumama in Doha.
The Spaniards, who were already leading 3-0 on the half hour, confirmed their status as a serious candidate for the supreme title. This attractive Roja, at the top of the group after her display in front of the admittedly very weak Costa Ricans, will face Germany in their next match, Sunday 27 (at 8:00 p.m.).
► Belgium – Canada
For the last match of the day, Belgium will face Canada. On the one hand, the Red Devils had reached the semi-final in 2018, losing to France, and hope to go at least as far in the competition this year. They will be led by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City player Kevin de Bruyne.
The stakes for Canada are more modest: the current selection could make history by scoring the first goal of the “Canucks” in the World Cup. This is only the second time the North Americans have taken part in the competition. Their first attempt, in 1986, ended in a first-round elimination. The 2022 team is stronger, however, with the presence of Alphonso Davies, who plays for Bayern Munich.
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