It was a night of the unexpected. The Big Guns gone silent on the first hurdle, while the under dogs stole the show. The Gap is closing. The Africans and the Asians are making all the runs. Lets have a look at Day 12 of this amazing World Cup.
Belgium vs Croatia : Group F ( 0-0 )
Belgium the semi finalists at the last World Cup in Russia met Croatia in a must win game at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. An intriguing battle was on the cards and a lot was expected from the match. However to be fair to both sides, the match ended in a tame draw and Belgium had to bid good bye. I have been a massive supporter of Belgium and I felt terribly disappointed at their plight.
The match had no major highlights barring a penalty to Croatia which was later disallowed. The match just did not live up to its hype. Belgium who in three matches scored just a solitary goal, tried hard, brought in Lukaku in the second half who unfortunately missed a couple of sitters. The writing was on the wall for Belgium. They were just not good enough. Croatia just needed a draw to progress, though even they have not looked the team which reached the finals in Russia.
Morocco vs Canada : Group F ( 2-1 )
Morocco needing at least a draw to qualify for the knockout stages clashed with the already relegated Canada at the Al- Thumama Stadium. The Africans have played some attractive football, displaying both skill and speed coupled with a lot of heart. Hakim Ziyech in particular for the Moroccans has been brilliant and he was not going to let go an opportunity presented to him bh Canada in the 4th minute. Milan Borjan, Canada’s goalkeeper cleared the ball straight to Ziyech who simple stroked past an out of position Borjan to score.
Celebrations begin for Morocco
The Africans were a goal ahead and then in 23 rd minute Youssef Neysri scored to make it 2-0. However the Canadians were not going to buckle down and they made some impressive runs into the Moroccan half and were eventually rewarded with an own goal by Nayef Aguerd in the 40 th minute.
In the second half it was all Canada. They played brilliantly and Morocco did all they could to keep them at bay. Its a shame that Canada is leaving the World Cup, they were good enough for more. Had they won against Belgium the complexion of the group would have been different. We need to keep a watch on them. Four years hence they could well be a force. Nevertheless Morocco held on and emerged winners and deservedly topped the group ahead of Croatia and Belgium . A huge performance from the African side ( they have moved to the next round after a gap of 36 years ) . Though the next stage is going to be tougher, the Moroccans have arrived so to say. The rest beware.
Japan vs Spain : Group E ( 2-1 )
The Khalifa International Stadium was witness to the best game of the Day. Japan, the dark horses taking on a mighty Spanish side. A young side Spain have been the team to beat and Japan had to get ahead of them for having any chances of qualification. However it were the Spaniards who struck the first blow with the prolific and joint top score in the competition Alvaro Morata in just the 11th minute.
Spain enjoyed most of the possession. The ball was hardly coming to Japan, but they did not concede any more goals in the first half and defended well led by the mercurial Goal keeper Shuichi Gonda. Identical to what happened in their encounter with Germany, Ritsu Doan came off the bench and scored an absolute stunner to equalise in the 48th minute. It was s massive strike and the way it came it shook the Spaniards and before they could regroup Ao Tanaka coming from the midfield scored just 3 minutes later. The Japs were ahead.
Spain were relentless in attack and enjoyed upto 83% of the possession but the Samurais defended like bravehearts and denied Spain, to win the Group above Spain and Germany. A remarkable achievement and I am certain this is going to inspire many a team particularly South Korea. So watch out Portugal.
Germany vs Costa Rica : Group E ( 4-2 )
The Germans and the Costa Ricans had a go at each other and gave it their all at the Al- Bayt Stadium. A win was a necessity for both teams. Germany started well with one of the finest goals of the Tournament from Serge Gnabri in the 10th minute. The goal spoke off the quality of the German Team. However the Costa Ricans struck back in the 58th minute and again in the 70th minute to take the lead. It so appeared that Spain and Germany would both be knocked out.
The Germans are going home
The Germans though did Spain a favour and played some dazzling football scoring thrice and hitting the frame of the goal umpteen times. The scoreline would have been much larger. Kai Havertz and Fullkrug coming off the bench scored 3 times with Havertz getting 2. Germans won 4-2 and ensured that Spain goes through, while they themselves alongwith Costa Rica were knocked out. The Spaniards did not return the favour.
It was the second World Cup in succession where the Germans failed to progress beyond the Group Stage. A team which was expected to deliver, somehow managed to under perform. It looks a team under Work-in-Progress and maybe requires some more time still. But yes questions will be asked.
At the end of the Day Morocco and Japan topped their Groups. A result which no one expected. Day 12 belonged to the Dark Horses undoubtedly. The gap is surely narrowing now and it won’t be long when there will be a World Champion from beyond Europe and South America and this would be great for Football.
The Day 13 has some mouth watering clashes lined up with South Korea taking on Portugal and Ghana pitted against Uruguay in Group H. In Group G it would be Cameroon against Brazil and Serbia vs Switzerland. We may have a few surprises in store.
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