Japan's win over Germany was another 2022 World Cup stunner
From CNN staff
Japan's stunning victory over four-time World Cup champion Germany on Thursday provided another upset in a tournament already marked by history-making upsets.
Germany dominated for large periods of the match and had plenty of opportunities to extend its lead after going up 1-0. But Japan rode its luck and was clinical when the chances arrived. Ultimately, the team defeated Germany 2-1.
Though not on the level of Saudi Arabia's victory over Argentina on Tuesday, seldom few people had predicted Thursday's result.
The early slate Sunday brought more surprise outcomes, with Morocco defeating world No. 2 Belgium and Costa Rica beating Japan 1-0.
What's next: Japan's victory blew Group E wide open and gave Germany a real mountain to climb – the 2014 World Cup winner faces the daunting prospect of Spain next.
At their last game, German players covered their mouths in protest over "OneLove" armband row
From CNN's Ben Morse and Don Riddell
It was a moment so brief that the thousands of fans inside the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday could easily have missed it.
But in the time it took for the photographers amassed in front of Germany’s World Cup team to snap a picture, the four-time winners sent a message to soccer’s world governing body.
Germany’s starting 11 all posed with their right hands in front of their mouths, and within minutes, the image was circulating widely on social media.
And as Germany kicked off their World Cup campaign against Japan in Group E, the team’s social media feed confirmed that the gesture was designed as a protest to FIFA’s decision to ban the “OneLove” armband that many European captains had been hoping to wear in Qatar.
Before the tournament, captains from England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark had planned to wear the armbands – which features a striped heart in different colors to represent all heritages, backgrounds, genders and sexual identities. But FIFA made it clear on Monday that players would be yellow carded for donning the bands in the World Cup.
On Wednesday, the German Football Federation (DFB) released a series of tweets shortly after the game had kicked off indicating that FIFA had prevented them from using their voices to speak up at the World Cup for issues they felt passionate about, hence the protest.
“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,” the DFB said. “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,’ added the DFB. “We stand by our position.”
Croatia eliminates Canada with 4-1 victory
Croatia beat Canada 4-1 in their Group F match.
With the victory, Croatia ends the day atop the group, with four points earned in its first two matches.
And with the loss, Canada's dreams of advancing to the knockout round are dashed. They are officially eliminated from tournament contention after the defeat.
Match recap:
Canada wasted no time opening the scoring. Just 68 seconds into the match, Alphonso Davies put the Canadians up 1-0. It was Canada's first-ever goal at the World Cup.
After taking the lead, Canada looked lively. But in the latter part of the first half, Croatia took control.
In the 36th minute, Andrej Kramaric lasered a ball past the Canadian keeper Milan Borjan. Ten minutes earlier, Kramaric found the back of the net but the play was whistled offside.
Just a few minutes later, Croatia scored a second and took the lead 2-1. Marko Livaja picked the ball up just outside the 18-yard box and found the bottom right corner of the net.
Canada looked like it was reeling going into the break, but the players settled down to start the second half.
In the 48th minute, a potential equalizer sailed just wide of Croatia's right post. Then, in the 53rd minute, Croatia nearly got a third, but Canadian keeper Borjan made a big save to keep it out.
In the 70th minute, Croatia finally extended its lead to 3-1. Andrej Kramaric scored his second on the night to give the Croatians a two-goal cushion.
In stoppage time, the Croatians added insult to injury. Lovro Majer, who came on as a substitute, found the back of the net to make it 4-1 in the 94th minute.
The rout is on: Croatia makes it 4-1
The Croatians punished the Canadians with a late goal in stoppage time to make it 4-1.
GOAL! Croatia scores a third
Croatia has extended its lead to 3-1 in the 70th minute.
Andrej Kramaric scored his second on the night to give the Croatians a two-goal cushion.
It's time for the second half at Khalifa International Stadium
The second half is underway between Croatia and Canada.
Croatia leads 2-1 and closed the second half in command, scoring twice in quick succession. Can Canada regain control? Let's go!
It's halftime: Croatia leads Canada after two late goals
It's Croatia 2, Canada 1 at halftime in their Group F match.
Canada wasted no time opening the scoring. Just 68 seconds into the game, Alphonso Davies put the Canadians up 1-0. It was Canada's first-ever goal at the World Cup.
After taking the lead, Canada looked lively. But in the latter part of the half, Croatia took control.
In the 36th minute, Andrej Kramaric lasered a ball past the Canadian keeper Milan Borjan. Ten minutes earlier, Kramaric found the back of the net but the play was whistled offside.
Just a few minutes later, Croatia scored a second and took the lead 2-1. Marko Livaja picked the ball up just outside the 18-yard box and found the bottom right corner of the net.
Canada looked to be reeling as the first period came to a close. Let's see if they can turn it around and regain momentum.
GOAL! Croatia leads 2-1
Just a few minutes after tying it up, Croatia scores a second and now leads Canada 2-1 late in the first half.
In the 44th minute, Marko Livaja picked the ball up just outside the 18-yard box and found the bottom right corner of the net.
GOAL! Croatia ties it at 1-1
Croatia ratcheted up the pressure in the latter part of the half, and Andrej Kramaric just found pay dirt.
In the 36th minute, Kramaric lasered a ball past the Canadian keeper Milan Borjan.
Ten minutes earlier, Kramaric found the back of the net, but the play was whistled offside.
This one stuck, and Croatia and Canada are all square at 1-1.
