World Cup: Germany and Croatia are breathing, Belgium is cracking… What to remember from November 27

The day after first qualifying in eighth at this bright blue World Championship, four posters were in the program for Groups E and F on Sunday. Without a new playoff berth, but with some outstanding results.

Relief: Germany is still breathing

At the end of a first day with diametrically opposed fates – a disheartening defeat to Japan (1-2) for the Germans, a colossal success against Costa Rica (7-0) for the Spaniards – the two European leaders found themselves in Al Khor. for shock, to make your mouth salivate beforehand. Perhaps the most beautiful on paper since the start of the tournament. Promise has long since given way to half-hearted production. The alarm clock was finally broken by the advancing Alvaro Morata, a goal that almost knocked out the Germans, finally saving Niklas Fülkrug from trouble.

The only professional number 9 in the group, the Werder striker suffered a big thorn from Mannshaft, who was left without a ball in the belly of the Al-Bayt stadium. If they are not already mathematically weeded out and do not hold their fate entirely in their hands, Hansi Flick’s players can always count on a confluence of circumstances – a very likely one – to join the eighth. That would require beating the Costa Ricans and then counting on a Japan loss to La Roja, or a draw or a Japanese victory, all on goal difference… Spain still has a path to 8th place. well tracked, Luis Enrique will be able to connect to Twitch tonight without too much pressure.

Snub: Belgium falls from above

Of course, Group F is one of the most difficult in Qatar, it has the Croatian vice-champions of the world and promising Canadians. But to see how a third of the last World Cup fall against Morocco, there is something unexpected. After losing to the Atlas Lions (2-0), Belgium suffered a serious defeat in their tournament, which had already begun with a resounding success against Canada (1-0). Like Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and his partners are really starting to show their age, crushed by the Moroccan fervor typified by the edgy Hakim Ziyech. The Belgians will face an as decisive as piquant duel against Croatia on Thursday to decide their survival in the competition.

Start: Croatia avoids defeat

Because a few hours later Croatia offered itself a “final” against the Belgians, leaving Canada on the sidelines. Held by Morocco (0-0), the world vice-champions experienced a burst of pride against a promising North American team (4-1). It all started as a dream for the Canucks when Alphonso Davis scored the very first goal in his country’s history at the World Cup. But gaining momentum by the minute, Andrej Kramaric’s Croats (doubled up) punished the Canadians with a bit of tenderness. And they were already out of the race for eighth place even before their last match against Morocco. Thursday Croatia-Belgium (16:00) will be worth its weight in gold.

Quantity: 2

Surgically effective. Dominant Costa Rica beat Japan 1-0, scoring ten minutes from the end to restart play in Group E. Keisher Fuller’s goal on a single shot from teammate Keylor Navas. But also on one of the two balls that Tikos touched in the opposite zone. Stop “keep dreaming,” coach Luis Fernando Suarez enthused after the match.

Suggestion: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry”

In a conversation on the eve of the match with Switzerland, when Neymar did not suffer an ankle injury, Brazilian coach Tite made his statement. my fault. Regretting not having released the Selesao star a little earlier on Thursday against Serbia: “I didn’t realize he was injured. Moreover, after the injury, he participated in the game, which allowed us to score a goal. This is a mistake on my part, I really blame myself, I regret it, I should have been more careful. Brazil is still hoping to bring back Neymar for Cameroon (Day 3, Friday) or more likely Day 8 if Auriverdes stamps their ticket on Monday.

Tiling: Danilo Pereira injury

An unexpected holder in the Portuguese rearguard instead of Pepe, for Portugal’s first match against Ghana (3-2), Danilo Pereira will not be able to continue. PSG’s Swiss Army knife was injured in training this Sunday with his tackle. Result: three broken ribs and an absence from the Portuguese’s last two group matches (Uruguay on Monday, South Korea on Friday). He will be replaced at eleven by Pepe in the recovery phase when his country entered the fray. But who, at 39, is still perceived by his coach Fernando Santos as a “monster”.