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Costa Rica Tops Japan
After suffering a 7-0 loss Wednesday in its World Cup Opener against Spain, Costa Rica bounced back with a 1-nil victory over Japan Sunday at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar.
In the 81st minute, Costa Rican defender Keysher Fuller lofted a left-footed shot just past the outstretched arms of Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda — who made a tournament-high eight saves Wednesday against Germany — for the lone goal of the match.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596832411798700034?s=20&t=u_BkcDD-Cs4r-PcPugMWeQ
With one match remaining in the group stage, Costa Rica and Japan are tied with three points each. However, Japan owns the tiebreaker as its 0 goal differential defeats Costa Rica (-6).
Germany Limits Explosive Spanish Attack to Notch First Point
Following a scoreless first half, Spanish forward Álvaro Morata entered the match for Ferran Torres and scored his second goal of the tournament within 10 minutes of the substitution.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596962504475041793?s=20&t=u_BkcDD-Cs4r-PcPugMWeQ
In the 83rd minute, German forward Niclas Füllkrug — who entered the match for striker Thomas Müller — tied the match with a top-left-corner goal.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1596968360775917574?s=20&t=u_BkcDD-Cs4r-PcPugMWeQ
Despite the draw, Spain still leads Group E with four points and maintains a tournament-best +7 goal differential. Germany, meanwhile, remains in fourth place after earning its first point of the tournament.
Clinching Scenarios
Germany will face a must-win scenario against Costa Rica Thursday as the 2014 World Cup champions look to avoid a second straight group-stage elimination. Spain — No. 7 in the current FIFA World Men’s Ranking — will advance to the knockout round with either a win or draw versus Japan.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1597002347703848961?s=20&t=u_BkcDD-Cs4r-PcPugMWeQ
Both matches will kick off at 2 p.m.
