Belgium’s “golden generation” will be fighting for their lives when they face Croatia, and Germany will fight to avoid another humiliating first-round exit at the World Cup on Thursday. Belgium will also be fighting to avoid another first-round exit.
Germany, despite being the holder, lost to Costa Rica in the group stage four years ago in Russia. They are desperate to avoid a repeat when they play them in Group E. The Germans lost a shocking first game to Japan, but they managed to draw with Spain in their next game. Germany must defeat Costa Rica in order to advance, and goal difference may still play a role even then.
Costa Rica’s campaign began with a 7-0 loss to Spain, but they showed their strength with a 1-0 victory over Japan and are still in the running to qualify.
Hansi Flick, the coach of Germany, laughed off suggestions that he would lose his job if his team lost.
Spain’s place in the last 16 is not yet certain; a loss to Japan would send Japan through, allowing Germany or Costa Rica to take over.
If Belgium loses to Croatia, they will be eliminated from the tournament, ending the hopes of senior players like Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, and Thibaut Courtois in their likely final World Cup.
So far in Qatar, Roberto Martinez’s team has failed to win, narrowly defeating Canada in their first match and losing to Morocco in their second, and there have been rumors of arguments in the camp.
Argentina and Australia advance.
A win over Croatia would give Belgium a spot in the last 16; however, a draw would leave them needing to beat Canada in Group F to advance, where goal difference will determine who advances.
De Bruyne, the playmaker, has been off-color thus far, and Romelu Lukaku, the striker, has only made one substitute appearance due to injury.
Michy Batshuayi has scored Belgium’s only goal, and they will need to shift gears against Croatia, who beat Canada 4-1 in their previous match after coming back from conceding an early goal.
On Wednesday, Timothy Castagne, a fullback for Belgium, said: Our certainty isn’t generally so low as individuals naturally suspect.
Morocco will attempt to qualify for the last 16 for the first time since 1986, while Croatia will look to move one step closer to a potential second straight appearance in the final.
If the action on Wednesday was any indication, Thursday’s group finales could bring even more nerve-shredding drama.
Argentina, Mexico, Poland, and Saudi Arabia went down to the wire in a four-way battle for the last-16 spots in Group C.
Despite Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Poland, which propelled them to the top of the standings, Mexico’s 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia left the choice of who would join them in the knockout stages up until the final minute of regulation.
Mexico would have advanced to the round of 16 with just a third goal; Instead, Poland won the match thanks to a slightly higher goal differential.
After the Socceroos defied pre-tournament odds to defeat Denmark 1-0 and claim the runners-up spot in Group D, Argentina will now face Australia in the last 16. France, who were already virtually certain of first place in the standings, were defeated 1-0 by Tunisia after coach Didier Deschamps chose to rest the majority of his first-choice lineup.