Germany vs Japan LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction after shock late turnaround
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Germany and Japan meet in Group E of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar today.
For Germany, the match represents a chance to move on from their torrid world title defence four years ago, when die Mannschaft followed their 2014 triumph in Brazil by crashing out in the group stage in Russia. The latter tournament was Germany’s penultimate competition under Joachim Low, before he oversaw last summer’s last-16 exit to England at the Euros. Now, Hansi Flick leads his nation at a major tournament for the first time, as he looks to help restore their status as one of the super-powers of world football.
Japan, meanwhile, will play the role of underdogs but will be inspired by Saudi Arabia’s stunning 2-1 win over Argentina from Tuesday, and they can also draw faith from their 2018 World Cup campaign, in which they reached the last 16 and almost shocked Belgium to go even further. This clash with Germany does not mark the only tough test for Hajime Moriyasu’s players, however; Spain are also present in Group E, as are Costa Rica, whom the Spaniards face later this afternoon.
Follow all the action with our live blog below, after the conclusion of Morocco vs Croatia.
Germany vs Japan
83’ - GOAL! Takuma Asano scores terrific solo goal to give Japan lead (GER 1-2 JPN)
75’ - GOAL! Ritsu Doan equalises for Japan with 15 minutes to play (GER 1-1 JPN)
73’ - MISS! Hiroki Sakai blazes over from close range (GER 0-0 JPN)
60’ - POST! Gundogan hits the woodwork (GER 1-0 JPN)
33’ - GOAL! Ilkay Gundogan converts from the spot (GER 1-0 JPN)
31’ - PENALTY! David Raum is fouled by Japan keeper Shūichi Gonda in the box (GER 0-0 JPN)
Germany say Fifa ‘denied us a voice’ after covering mouths in statement at World Cup
Germany 1 - 2 Japan
GOAL! Germany 1-2 Japan (Asano 83’)
14:46 , Kieran Jackson
83 mins: Oh can you believe this... Japan are ahead against Germany!
And what a goal this is! It’s the Japan sub Takuma Asano - who has been so lively since coming on - with a terrific individual goal!
It’s a long ball down the pitch - Asano takes it brilliantly, and then somehow squeezes it in the roof of the net at the near post, beyond Neuer!
Japan have 10 or so minutes left to see out a famous win here!
Germany 1-1 Japan
14:44 , Kieran Jackson
82 mins: Another Germany corner from Kimmich this time fails to beat the first man...
They’re in a rush now are the 2014 champions!
Germany 1-1 Japan
14:42 , Kieran Jackson
80 mins: Kimmich whips in a corner - and Rudiger gets up first but he gets too much on the ball, which sails over!
10 to go, which way will this swing now?
Germany 1-1 Japan
14:41 , Kieran Jackson
78 mins: Japan subs have been terrific - Minamino looking lively straight away!
Hansi Flick looks to change something: Gotze and Fullkrug ON, Havertz and Musiala OFF.
Mario Gotze knows when to make a difference in a World Cup... can he get Germany out of jail herre?!
Germany 1-1 Japan (Doan 75’)
14:38 , Kieran Jackson
75 mins: Japan are level now!
Ritsu Doan, the Japan substitute, is the scorer! Minamino’s cross is palmed away by Manuel Neuer but only to Doan, who has the composure to lift the ball into an empty net!
For all those missed chances, the Germans are back level. Anyone’s game this now!
RITSU DOAN DRAWS JAPAN LEVEL WITH GERMANY 🇯🇵🙌#ITVFootball | #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/b4xExi5hJX
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 23, 2022
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:36 , Kieran Jackson
73 mins: What a miss - Japan should be level!
The ball comes in at the back post - Junya Ito’s shot is saved brilliantly by Manuel Neuer but the goal is gaping for Hiroki Sakai, who strikes over the bar!
Takumi Minamino is ON for Japan; with Hiroki Sakai OFF.
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:33 , Kieran Jackson
72 mins: Four saves in quick succession from Japan goalkeeper Gonda!
He first denies Hoffman, set up by Gnabry, before denying Gnabry with a long range shot, a header and a follow-up!
Terrrific from the Japan man between the sticks!
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:30 , Kieran Jackson
68 mins: Good battle this between Asano and Rudiger!
The Japan forward tries to swivel in the box but the Germany defender is rock solid, the ball deflecting behind for a corner which is eventually collected by Manuel Neuer!
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:29 , Kieran Jackson
66 mins: Bit of pressure from Japan, but Germany hold firm for now.
Two changes for the Germans: Hofmann and Goretzka ON; Muller and Gundogan OFF.
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:23 , Kieran Jackson
61 mins: Suddenly... it’s very open!
Japan substitute Asano involved again - he’s played in and instead of taking on Rudiger, he shoots quickly - but it sails well over Neuer’s goal!
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:22 , Kieran Jackson
60 mins: Gundogan hits the post!
Havertz plays in Musiala, who in turns feeds Gundogan running towards the box - he shoots cleverly towards the near post, but it hits the outside of the woodwork!
Japan still in this!
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:19 , Kieran Jackson
57 mins: Double change for Japan - Maeda and Nagatomo OFF, Asano and Mitoma ON.
Asano involved straight away down the right, with his cross headed wide!
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:17 , Kieran Jackson
55 mins: Raum’s ball through to Havertz is heavy - and Japan keeper Gonda gets their first.
Havertz is then given offside; replays show he isn’t though.
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:14 , Kieran Jackson
51 mins: Musiala beats about four Japan players in the box... before he blazes over again!
Mesmeric play from the 19-year-old, but he again can’t provide the finishing touch!
It remains 1-0...
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:13 , Kieran Jackson
50 mins: Japan’s Wataru Endo with a mazy run into the box, laying up Daichi Kamada whose shot is deflected over.
Japan can’t create anything from the subsequent corner!
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:09 , Kieran Jackson
47 mins: Good chance for Gnabry!
Muller powerfully surges towards the box, teeing up his Bayern team-mate on the right - he goals for goal, but is wayward at the near post.
Probably should’ve crossed...
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:08 , Kieran Jackson
45 mins: Back underway with the second-half.
No changes from Germany boss Hansi Flick so far...
Germany 1-0 Japan
14:07 , Kieran Jackson
SECOND-HALF: Japan with a half-time substitution.
Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu is on for Takefusa Kubo - looks like he’ll go to left centre-back in the back three.
Germany 1-0 Japan
13:53 , Kieran Jackson
HALF-TIME: Germany lead through Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty.
Germany got better and better as the half went on, but Japan aren’t out of this yet! They’ve got pace in abundance in attack but just need to be more decisive in the final third.
Germany could be a few more goals up, truth be told. They’ve had chances.
Well, it’s better than the first game of the day at least!
Germany 1-0 Japan
13:52 , Kieran Jackson
45+6: Frantic end to the half!
Maeda is first to the cross in the box but glances wide of the far post!
Best chance for Japan.
Germany 1-0 Japan
13:51 , Kieran Jackson
45+5 mins: Goal disallowed.
Havertz clearly offside.
It was lovely play from Germany though.
Germany 2-0 Japan (Havertz 45+4’)
13:50 , Kieran Jackson
45+4 mins: Germany have their second - if Havertz is onside!
Excellent play from the Germans. Havertz taps in at the back post from Gnabry’s saved shot.
Ah, replays show he is offside... VAR is checking.
Germany 1-0 Japan
13:46 , Kieran Jackson
45 mins: The first bit is tremendous from Jamal Musiala - the second not so good!
The Bayern man loses his marker on the edge of the box... but his shot is high above the crossbar!
Should’ve hit the target. Four minutes of added time at the end of the first-half.
Germany 1-0 Japan
13:45 , Kieran Jackson
44 mins: Germany just seeing out the half now, with Japan looking slightly out on their feet after a heavy half of pressing.
Germany 1-0 Japan
13:42 , Kieran Jackson
41 mins: Japan just in need of half-time here you feel.
They haven’t been awful, but Germany’s pressure really building now - Kimmich is the latest to have a shot from distance, but it sails high into the stands!
Mexican wave now starting around the stadium. Not for me, Clive.
Germany 1-0 Japan
13:37 , Kieran Jackson
36 mins: Not a bad immediate response from Japan!
A few quick breaks down the right presents some opportunities... but the final ball lets them down!
Germany 1-0 Japan (Gunodgan pen, 33)
13:34 , Kieran Jackson
33 mins: Germany lead!
Ilkay Gundogan lifts the ball and goes down the middle, while Gonda dives to his left.
Very composed from the midfielder! Hansi Flick’s side are ahead... on the last 10 minutes, it had been coming!
Calmness personified from İlkay Gündoğan 😌
The Man City midfielder puts Germany in front from the spot ⚽️#ITVFootball | #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lT2k2ZK7Ig— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 23, 2022
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:32 , Kieran Jackson
31 mins: PENALTY TO GERMANY!
Japan rush out and Raum is in the box from left-back. He cuts back and looks to be taken out by goalkeeper Gonda! Not much contact... but enough!
The referee, from El Salvador, points to the spot after a short delay!
Needless from the keeper. Didn’t need to commit... Ilkay Gundogan is over it!
VAR check confirmed, penalty given.
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:30 , Kieran Jackson
29 mins: An even better opening for Gundogan!
This time Germany streak down the left - Raum’s cut back is parried by Gonda straight to Gundogan, but his goalbound shot is blocked... surely he had to lift the ball there?!
Germans well on top now!
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:29 , Kieran Jackson
28 mins: Much better from Germany!
They move the ball well down the right and Gnabry sets up Gundogan outside the box, but the Man City midfielder’s strike is comfortable for Gonda - straight down his throat.
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:26 , Kieran Jackson
25 mins: Brief VAR check for a handball in the Japan box, but it doesn’t strike the defender’s arm.
Decent start from Japan here.
Germany 0-0 Japan: Germany say Fifa ‘denied us a voice’ after covering mouths in statement at World Cup
13:26 , Kieran Jackson
Germany players covered their mouths in a World Cup 2022 statement before their match with Japan.
Die Mannschaft lined up for the photo opportunity on the pitch before the Group E match at the Khalifa International Stadium, collectively covering their mouths.
Some have interpreted it as a response in the row over being censored by Fifa over support for the ‘One Love’ initiative.
A statement from the German FA read: “We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect. Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.
“It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us. Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position.”
Germany’s soccer team players cover their mouth during the World Cup group E soccer match against Japan
German Federal Minister of the Interior and Community Nancy Faeser could be seen in the stands wearing the One Love armband before kick-off.
It is the latest development in the row with the world governing body over the symbol in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
Germany say Fifa ‘denied us a voice’ after covering mouths in statement at World Cup
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:23 , Kieran Jackson
22 mins: Raum sloppily loses the ball in his own half - Japan rapid to counter and the underdogs have a corner, but are unable to fashion a chance from it.
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:22 , Kieran Jackson
21 mins: First real bit of incisive play from the Germans!
The ball falls to Josh Kimmich who works Japan keeper Shūichi Gonda with a decent strike, while the follow-up goes astray and is given offside anyway.
Tell you what, when the Japan fans have a breather, it’s very, very quiet at the Khalifa International Stadium - you can hear the players talk to each other!
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:18 , Kieran Jackson
16 mins: Close from Rudiger!
A chipped corner to the back post is met by the head of Antonio Rudiger, whose header sails just wide of the near post!
Not a bad chance that - the Real Madrid defender’s reaction says that he should’ve done better!
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:16 , Kieran Jackson
14 mins: Japan doing a good job of nullifying any German threat at the moment - they press rapidly when Germany enter their half.
Right back Hiroki Sakai down injured after a tackle on David Raum - clash of legs. Fine to continue.
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:09 , Kieran Jackson
8 mins: It’s a terrific Japan counter-attack which ends with a goal... but it’s offside!
Daizen Maeda converts at the back post but he’s gone too early, clearly a yard or so offside!
He didn’t need to be either! Let-off for the Germans, with Gundogan losing the ball cheaply in midfield this time.
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:05 , Kieran Jackson
5 mins: Musiala this time gives the ball away in midfield and Ilkay Gundogan has to cover for him - Japan with the first corner of the match.
Headed comfortably away by Gnabry.
Germany 0-0 Japan
13:03 , Kieran Jackson
2 mins: Bright start from Germany, with Musiala involved from the off - he wins the ball in the centre of the park but can’t quite find the right pass into the box.
Japan sitting off, relatively deep in their shape early on...
Germany vs Japan: Kick-off!
13:00 , Kieran Jackson
We’re underway at the Khalifa International Stadium for this opening Group E clash!
Germany in their traditional white shirts and black shorts, with Japan in dark blue shirts and white shorts.
Germany vs Japan: A reminder of the teams!
12:58 , Kieran Jackson
Germany: Neuer; Schlotterbeck, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Muller, Musiala; Havertz
Japan: Gonda; Sakai, Itakura, Yoshida, Ito, Nagatomo; Endo, Tanaka; Kubo, Kamada, Maeda
A pretty pointed Germany team photo before the game too... silenced?
Germany vs Japan: The teams are out!
12:57 , Kieran Jackson
It’s a terrific sight at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha as the two starting XIs make their way onto the pitch!
Now time for the national anthems!
Germany vs Japan: We’re almost set at the Khalifa International Stadium!
12:52 , Kieran Jackson
Germany are looking to bounce back after a disappointing two tournaments, following a group-stage exit four years ago in Russia and a last-16 exit at Euro 2020.
For Japan, who were so close to knocking out Belgium in 2018, they will be targeting an upset in Doha!
Germany vs Japan: Germany have ‘opportunity’ to wear OneLove armband at World Cup, claims vice chancellor
12:47 , Kieran Jackson
German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has said he would wear the multi-coloured ‘OneLove’ armband at the soccer World Cup 2022 and see what happened, but he took care to add it was not for him to decide what national team captain Manuel Neuer does.
Habeck’s comments late on Tuesday came amid a row over the symbol in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
Asked by broadcaster ZDF whether players should wear the armband, Habeck replied: “I am not the media advisor of the DFB (German football association) and I am not Manuel Neuer but the opportunity is there.”
“I’m a politician trying to do my job properly, but what would happen if it happened now? I would like to know and I would take my chances,” he added.
The comments come after soccer’s global governing body, FIFA, cracked down on players wearing the armbands in support of diversity at this year’s World Cup.
In response, Rewe, one of Germany’s biggest supermarket chains, scrapped its advertising campaign with the DFB.
Germany urged to take ‘opportunity’ to wear OneLove armband at World Cup
Germany vs Japan: Germany’s ‘Bambi’ Jamal Musiala no longer a deer in the headlights
12:40 , Kieran Jackson
Germany fans are hoping Bayern Munich wunderkind Jamal Musiala will slash their pre-tournament title odds once the World Cup starts, with the teenager having quickly become a key player in Hansi Flick’s team.
Few would have thought just two years ago that Musiala, with his light frame, medium height and innocent demeanour, would become one of the leaders of the Germany team for the 2022 World Cup and Bayern’s second-top scorer so far this season.
A Germany and England youth international, Musiala opted to play for his birth country at senior level with then Germany coach Joachim Low giving him his first start last year.
In some 18 months he has become indispensable with his exceptional reading of the game in midfield, his speed, change of pace and turns and his goalscoring ability proving crucial.
“Jamal has this completeness that is just so good for us as a team,” Flick has said about the player he knows since his Bayern coaching days.
Nicknamed Bambi by his Bayern team mates for his youthful appearance, Musiala is anything but a deer caught in headlights when he is on the pitch, having already bagged seven goals and four assists in the Bundesliga so far.
While he enjoys his attacking midfield role he is equally at ease as a winger or even as a defensive midfielder.
Germany’s ‘Bambi’ Jamal Musiala no longer a deer in the headlights
Germany vs Japan: When East Germany met West and caused one of the greatest World Cup shocks
12:33 , Kieran Jackson
Arriving at Hamburg airport in their matching light grey jackets, green shirt and yellow ties, the East Germany squad and management team were all smiles. The departure to their camp in Quickborn was delayed when a replacement bus needed to be found as the one emblazoned with “DDR” (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) and flag designated to pick them up went ‘missing’. Given West Germany didn’t even recognise the DDR as a proper country — the national tabloid Bild even referred to the East in inverted commas — this was hardly a surprise. No doubt the slight was documented in forensic detail by one of tourists.
At their base for the first group stage, agents of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany’s Ministry for State Security, better known as the Stasi, among the entourage relaxed their surveillance a touch, presumably overawed by the chance to sample some of the pleasures of the West. With this new-found freedom, a trip to the Reeperbahn was organised by the owners of the Sporthotel in Quickborn. A night on the tiles beckoned.
The West German hosts even offered everyone from the East German delegation a free TV. The officials declined — fraternisation with the West was a strict no-no, more so the receiving of illicit Western goods — but some of the players noticed that all the televisions were gone by the time they left.
A 2-0 win over Australia in the East Germany’s first ever game at a World Cup finals was followed four days later by a 1-1 draw with Chile in their second. A somewhat unexpected scoreless draw between their first two opponents, mere hours before kick off, had meant that the pressure was off by their third. Both West Germany and East Germany had already qualified for the knockouts, just leaving the thorny issue of the most politically charged football match of all time to traverse.
Coaches of the DDR-Oberliga teams were invited to attend the all-German clash, but Hans Meyer, coach of Carl-Zeiss Jena, was notable by his absence. “On the day, I had stomach pains and had to stay home,” Meyer later recalled. Meyer is well-known in Germany for his sarcasm and irony — he certainly wasn’t ill on the day of the game.
He had turned down the offer on the grounds that he had to catch a train from Gera at 4am, then “travel with the fans to Hamburg, wave my hammer and sickle flag, get stared at by the other fans like some exotic creature, get straight back on the train after the game, and then get back home in the middle of the night”. He saw straight through the absurdity of the situation and presumably watched the game at home, ohne flag.
When East Germany met West and caused one of the greatest World Cup shocks
Pep Guardiola signs two-year Man City contract extension
12:30 , Alex Pattle
Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension with Manchester City, tying him down to the Etihad club until 2025.
The 51-year-old previously had eight months remaining on a deal set to expire at the end of the current season.
Guardiola has held talks with City executives in Abu Dhabi during the Premier League‘s mid-season break for the World Cup.
The Premier League champions have taken the interruption to the regular schedule as an opportunity to secure Guardiola’s future.
Full story here:
Pep Guardiola signs two-year Manchester City contract extension
Morocco 0-0 Croatia: In-demand Josko Gvardiol sets solid platform for Croatia to find attacking improvements
12:29 , Kieran Jackson
Not a fixture for those fond of excitement and goalmouth incidents, but Croatia’s goalless draw with Morocco owed as much to those steady at centre-back as it did to a lack of incisive passing in the final third.
Front and centre amongst them even ahead of kick-off was Josko Gvardiol; the youngest on show, which is always cause for extra attention, but also one of the players most-linked with a big money transfer.
Ahead of the World Cup it was Chelsea in particular he was said to be interesting, but Europe’s other top sides will all be keeping a close eye on the Leipzig defender’s availability. Against Morocco he showed why that is, albeit not exactly in the face of relentless pressure in his own defensive third.
On the other hand, that’s part of the attraction: the best teams dominate and need the back line to display concentration and reliability at the irregular moments they are called upon.
Eminently visible due to his beard-and-mask combo, Gvardiol’s defensive acumen was certainly visible at times, against both set-piece situations and Morocco’s counter-attacking threat.
Twice he made excellent covering runs behind his full-back on the left channel, showing both his buccaneering pace as well as the learned inclination he now has after serving at full-back himself with regularity.
In-demand Gvardiol sets platform for Croatia to find attacking improvements
German Vice Chancellor encourages team to wear OneLove armband
12:24 , Alex Pattle
German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has said he would wear the multi-coloured ‘OneLove’ armband at the soccer World Cup 2022 and see what happened, but he took care to add it was not for him to decide what national team captain Manuel Neuer does.
Habeck’s comments late on Tuesday came amid a row over the symbol in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
Asked by broadcaster ZDF whether players should wear the armband, Habeck replied: “I am not the media advisor of the DFB [German football association], and I am not Manuel Neuer, but the opportunity is there.”
“I’m a politician trying to do my job properly, but what would happen if it happened now? I would like to know and I would take my chances,” he added.
Full story:
Germany urged to take ‘opportunity’ to wear OneLove armband at World Cup
Germany vs Japan: Match odds!
12:22 , Kieran Jackson
Germany win 4/9
Draw 18/5
Japan win 11/2
Morocco 0-0 Croatia - MATCH REPORT
12:14 , Kieran Jackson
By Ben Burrows at the Al Bayt Stadium
If Croatia are to match the heroics of four years ago in Russia in Qatar, they will have to make their own bit of history after opening their tournament here with a frustrating stalemate with Morocco.
The Croatians have now failed to win their opening match of a World Cup on four of their six appearances. Following the other three they failed to make it out of their group.
Losing finalists last go around, Luka Modric and Co have high hopes again and with many of the heroes of that famous run suiting up one more time for a last dance, there is still every chance they could do it. But this result, a 0-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium to begin Group F, and the performance to go with it was far from what they were looking for. Indeed it will be group rivals Belgium and Canada who are happiest with the outcome here.
Played out in blazing afternoon sun it was hardly surprising for the tempo of this one to be set early by Croatia, their ever-dependable midfield trio taking charge and controlling things from the middle. At the heart of it was Modric, playing what will surely be his final major tournament of a glittering career, still the arch metronome he has always been, seemingly dictating the pace of everything around him without any remote concern, his otherworldly powers somehow also extending to ensure he avoided any further action for a number of mistimed challenges in defence.
Ivan Perisic, a star four years ago, arrowed over with a speculative long-range effort as they pushed to add some potency to their early possession.
Morocco’s best moments of a largely uneventful first-half came, predictably, through the returning Hakim Ziyech, the Chelsea wide man now back in from the cold under new coach Walid Regragui. A blocked snap shot and dangerous whipped cross in the early exchanges hinted at where their main threat would come. A free-kick bang in range 25 yards out was wastefully hit straight at the wall.
Croatia miss chance to ignite World Cup bid after Morocco stalemate
France begin World Cup defence with 4-1 win over Australia
12:08 , Alex Pattle
“A striker who was supposed to be dispensable now has only one equal. That’s the story of Olivier Giroud, who just keeps going, and keeps scoring. The 36-year-old finally got the goal he didn’t in 2018 to claim his first in the World Cup in eight years before quickly following it with another.
“That made it 4-1 to France against Australia and was also the 51st goal of his international career, to match Thierry Henry’s record. Giroud may well surpass that in this tournament, a World Cup he wasn’t even expected to start in. This was precisely why Karim Benzema’s injury wasn’t seen as anything close to a disaster by the French, despite his immense quality.
“They’d already won a World Cup with Giroud and, far from the Real Madrid player taking them to another level, the belief is that the team just works better with the Milan striker. He links it all together. Kylian Mbappe certainly enjoys playing with him.
“As regards levels, the reality of this game was that a plucky but hugely limited Australia just couldn’t get close to France.”Miguel Delaney’s match report from Qatar, as France began their World Cup defence with a victory over Australia:
France just reminded the World Cup why they are defending champions
Germany vs Japan: TEAM NEWS
12:03 , Alex Pattle
We move swiftly on to Germany vs Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium!
Team news:
Germany: Neuer; Schlotterbeck, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Muller, Musiala; Havertz
Japan: Gonda; Sakai, Itakura, Yoshida, Ito, Nagatomo; Endo, Tanaka; Kubo, Kamada, Maeda
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:57 , Kieran Jackson
FULL-TIME: Goalless at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Two teams who very simply cancelled each other out. No clear-cut chances to speak of either, both sides very solid in their shape.
Morocco will be the happier, while Croatia were a tad lacklustre. No repeat of 2018 when they won all three World Cup games.
Onto Belgium vs Canada in Group F later on at 7pm...
France defender Lucas Hernandez ruled out of rest of World Cup
11:55 , Alex Pattle
Lucas Hernandez has become the latest France player to be ruled out of the World Cup.
The Bayern Munich defender was forced off in the first half of Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Australia and subsequent scans have shown a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.
It means Hernandez will be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines and play no further part in the holders’ attempts to defend their World Cup title in Qatar.
The left back was replaced by brother Theo against Australia.
More details here:
France defender Lucas Hernandez out of World Cup with knee injury
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:53 , Kieran Jackson
90+3 mins: Morocco dominant in the last few minutes but Croatia holding firm - Ziyech loses the ball before lunging in on Modric.
Heading for a point apiece here...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:50 , Kieran Jackson
90 mins: Six minutes of time added on - could we have some late drama?
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:49 , Kieran Jackson
89 mins: A late change for Croatia: Perisic OFF, Orsic ON.
Not quite been the Tottenham man’s day in Al Khor.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:47 , Kieran Jackson
88 mins: There’s only been two shots on goal from each team, according to the FIFA statistics.
That, ladies and gents, rather sums up the match... how much added time will we get, however?
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:45 , Kieran Jackson
85 mins: Morocco bit more on the front-foot in this last few minutes, do they sense a winner is available here if they push on a bit more?
Ziyech still doing his best to be the playmaker in midfield. Into the last five (15) we go...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:41 , Kieran Jackson
81 mins: Modric whips it in from the right but it can only be harmlessly headed wide by Josko Gvardiol, who is penalised for climbing on a defender anyway.
Two subs for Morocco: En-Nesyri and Ounahi OFF, Hamdallah and Sabiri ON.
Harry Kane to undergo ankle scan in injury scare before England vs USA
11:41 , Alex Pattle
England captain Harry Kane will undergo a scan on his right ankle to determine whether he sustained an injury during the World Cup opener against Iran.
Kane stayed down after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge during Monday’s Group B match, with the striker’s foot appearing to twist awkwardly.
The Tottenham forward has a history of ankle injuries and he was subsequently brought off in the 75th minute of the 6-2 win.
England face the USA in their second group stage match on Friday night, with Kane now considered to be a doubt for Gareth Southgate’s side.
Full story:
Harry Kane to undergo ankle scan in England World Cup injury scare
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:39 , Kieran Jackson
79 mins: A sub for Croatia.
Kovacic OFF, Majer ON.
The 2018 finalists now have a free-kick in the Moroccan half on the right-hand side...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:38 , Kieran Jackson
78 mins: We have our first yellow card - Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat in the book for a late clip on Luka Modric, who turned him beautifully.
No-brainer.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:36 , Kieran Jackson
75 mins: Hakimi does well to win a free-kick on the right, with Perisic baited in...
Not been the best game this, it has to be said. 15 minutes to go in Al Khor - will we have a late twist?
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:32 , Kieran Jackson
73 mins: Really good defending from Morocco’s Nayef Aguerd to deny Dejan Lovren a header at the back post, another corner.
Pressure growing from Croatia, but Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou claims easily.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:31 , Kieran Jackson
72 mins: Modric plays in a terrific free-kick and it’s acrobatically cleared by Morocco in the box!
Croatia corner...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:30 , Kieran Jackson
71 mins: Croatia enjoying a sustained period of possession here, but not really doing an awful lot with it - Morocco very solid in their shape.
Another sub: Kramaric OFF, Livaja ON.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:25 , Kieran Jackson
65 mins: What a strike from Hakimi!
The ball is laid off to the PSG defender who smashes a 30-yard shot with immense power... but it’s straight at Croatia keeper Dominik LivakoviÄ, who palms it away!
Got the crowd off their seats though. Meanwhile, Morocco make another sub: Boufal comes off for Ezzalzouli.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:23 , Kieran Jackson
64 mins: Hakimi makes a storming run down the right but his cross into the box misses everyone!
Morocco now with a free-kick 10 yards outside the box, centre-left of the pitch. Decent opening again...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:20 , Kieran Jackson
61 mins: Yahia Attiyat Allah replaces Mazraouri at left back - like-for-like swap.
Second-half yet to really get going...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:19 , Kieran Jackson
59 mins: Mazraouri doesn’t look able to continue here, he’s limping around and then finally goes over on the pitch.
The Moroccan left back was looking to get on the end of Lovren’s block a few minutes ago, heading tamely goalwards. Maybe a problem with his side...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:15 , Kieran Jackson
56 mins: Noussair Mazraoui was the man down. He looks set to come back on.
That Lovren handball may also have been outside the box, in which case VAR couldn’t get involved!
Back underway.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:13 , Kieran Jackson
53 mins: Croatia’s inswinging corner from Modric is glanced on from Perisic, but Yassine Bounou gets a hand to it - with the ball then further cleared.
A Morocco player now down injured...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:12 , Kieran Jackson
51 mins: As soon as I say that...
Boufal has a shot from distance which looks to have struck Dejan Lovren on the arm! No penalty awarded from the Argentine referee; replays show Lovren was turning away so it would’ve been harsh.
Meanwhile, Hakimi does well to head clear at the back post for Morocco...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:10 , Kieran Jackson
50 mins: Croatia really struggling to get out of their half here, with Morocco closing down brilliantly.
Unfortunately, the African side yet to fashion a clear opening...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:05 , Kieran Jackson
45 mins: Bizarre start to the half with Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat late to emerge to the pitch.
Waiting for around a minute for the midfielder to emerge! And now we are back underway!
When you're ready 😅
Sofyan Amrabat keeping us all waiting to start the second half...
I wonder what kept him? 🤔#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/mpST5QCtz4— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 23, 2022
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
11:04 , Kieran Jackson
SECOND-HALF: Croatia making a substitution at half-time; Vlasic does come off, replaced by Mario PašaliÄ.
Vlasic did receive treatment at the end of that first-half.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:49 , Kieran Jackson
HALF-TIME: Even stevens at the break in Al Khor, in a game which has struggled to really take off!
Morocco looked lively early on but mellowed as the half went on, with Croatia having their two best chances right at the end thorugh Vlasic and Modric!
Goalless at the interval!
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:48 , Kieran Jackson
45+2 mins: So close from Luka Modric!
The ball breaks to the Croatia captain on the edge of the but his powerful shot with his left foot is just over the bar!
Should’ve hit the target.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:47 , Kieran Jackson
45 mins: Big save from Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou!
Croatia play the ball nicely down the left and Vlasic is first to the cross at the near post... but the keeper makes himself big and saves well!
Two minutes of added time, unusually normal...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:44 , Kieran Jackson
44 mins: Vlasic all OK to continue.
Back underway... just a minute or so until the 25 minutes of added time or whatever it will be!
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:43 , Kieran Jackson
42 mins: It’s a poor delivery from Hakim Ziyech, who fails to beat the first man.
He then thinks he’s fouled, but gets no decision. “You’re joking,” he screams at the Argentine linesman. Not sure he’ll understand you, Hakim...
Break in play too with Croatia’s Nikola VlašiÄ down and receiving treatement/
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:41 , Kieran Jackson
40 mins: Maybe Modric is immune to a booking!
He tugs Hakimi’s shirt on the right-hand side - clear free-kick. Good angle this for Morocco...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:37 , Kieran Jackson
35 mins: Morocco enjoying the majority of possession in the last five minutes, with Croatia struggling to get out of their own half with the African team pressing intensely.
Still, has been a bitty 10 minutes or so in Al Khor.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:31 , Kieran Jackson
30 mins: After his earlier foul on Hakimi, Modric perhaps lucky to get away without a booking here after a late lunge on Sofyan Amrabat.
Game has gone into a slight lull here. Remains very even.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:26 , Kieran Jackson
25 mins: En-Neysri makes an excellent run into the box, tries to control but Lovren gets a foot in at the crucial moment.
Morocco look threatening in attack though!
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:22 , Kieran Jackson
21 mins: Ziyech is the man who takes the set-piece... but the Croatia wall stands firm and blocks.
The 2018 finalists break down the other end - and get a corner out of it, but nothing comes of it.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:20 , Kieran Jackson
19 mins: Modric upends Hakimi just outside the penalty area, centre of the pitch!
The Croat wins the ball but does catch Hakimi on the follow-through.
Big chance now for either Ziecyh or Hakimi...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:19 , Kieran Jackson
18 mins: Ziyech again looking to provide. His cross is whipped beautifully in for En-Nesyri, but the Morocco striker fluffs his lines and misses his header!
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:18 , Kieran Jackson
17 mins: Woah... so close from Ivan Perisic!
The Tottenham man has a go from a good 30 yards with his left-foot... but it’s just over the bar!
It looked set for the top-corner - it would have been the goal of the tournament so far! Great effort.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:15 , Kieran Jackson
13 mins: Ziyech down the right tries to play in Youssef En-Nesyri in the box but it’s well anticipated by Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol, who is sporting a face mask today...
Ziyech then has a shot from the edge of the box which is blocked by Dejan Lovren.
African team just building some momentum in this game. The duo of Hakimi and Ziyech on the right already proving fruitful...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:08 , Kieran Jackson
8 mins: First serious attack from Morocco is snuffed out at the last second by Lovren in the penalty area, after a lovely switch of play from Hakim Ziyech.
Good to see the Chelsea playmaker back playing for his country again...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
10:06 , Kieran Jackson
5 mins: Croatia dominant with the ball early on - Andrej KramariÄ looks to have an opportunity in the box but Romain Saïss, formerly of Wolves, quickly and crucially intercepts.
Luka Modric over Croatia’s first corner, but Morocco clear their lines.
Morocco vs Croatia: KICK-OFF!
10:02 , Kieran Jackson
We’re underway at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor for the first encounter from Group F!
Morocco in red shirts and green shorts, with Croatia in their traditional red-and-white checkered strip.
Morocco vs Croatia: Today’s teams!
09:58 , Kieran Jackson
Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui, Ounahi, Amrabat, Ziyech, Amallah, Boufal, En-Nesyri.
Subs: Hamdallah, Zaroury, Sabiri, Mohamedi, Chair, Aboukhlal, Ezzalzouli, El Yamiq, Dari, Cheddira, Tagnaouti, El Khannous, Benoun, Attiyat Allah, Jabrane.
Croatia: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Vlasic, Kramaric, Perisic
Subs: Stanisic, Barisic, Erlic, Majer, Grbic, Livaja, Pasalic, Petkovic, Budimir, Orsic, Vida, Ivusic, Sutalo, Sucic, Jakic.
Morocco vs Croatia: The teams are out!
09:55 , Kieran Jackson
Both sets of players have entered the fray at the Al Bayt Stadium on a scorching hot day in Al Khor! Morocco very well supported in the stands, at the stadium which hosted the tournament opener on Sunday between Qatar and Ecuador.
Now time for the national anthems...
Morocco vs Croatia: Pundit quotes...
09:53 , Kieran Jackson
Nigel de Jong, speaking to ITV:
“He’s an amazing player, he’s such a force of nature for Real Madrid and his country. The technique, he’s the soul and heart of the team. Also he’s such a humble guy - he’s the silent captain, not the most vocal, but he lets his football do the talking.”
Joe Cole:
“Morocco are a good team. Croatia’s blend of olf and new, but I think they’re entering a transitional period. You’ve still got Lovren and Perisic, 33, 34. It may be a tournament too late - I have high hopes for Morocco.”
Morocco vs Croatia: A reminder of the team news!
09:46 , Kieran Jackson
Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Saiss, Aguerd, Mazraoui, Ounahi, Amrabat, Ziyech, Amallah, Boufal, En-Nesyri.
Subs: Hamdallah, Zaroury, Sabiri, Mohamedi, Chair, Aboukhlal, Ezzalzouli, El Yamiq, Dari, Cheddira, Tagnaouti, El Khannous, Benoun, Attiyat Allah, Jabrane.
Croatia: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Vlasic, Kramaric, Perisic
Subs: Stanisic, Barisic, Erlic, Majer, Grbic, Livaja, Pasalic, Petkovic, Budimir, Orsic, Vida, Ivusic, Sutalo, Sucic, Jakic.
Morocco vs Croatia: Match odds!
09:41 , Kieran Jackson
Morocco: 14/5
Croatia: 11/10
Draw: 9/4
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
