Morocco, Japan roar into last 16, Germans go home

* World No. 2 Belgium’s campaign ends with a whimper *Spain, Croatia make it through *History made as female referees officiate men’s WC match

On a day when history was made as a men’s FIFA World Cup match was for the first time officiated by an all-female refereeing team, Morocco scripted their own history on Thursday when they became the only Arab team – and the second African team so far – to make it to the last 16.
This is the first time Morocco have entered the knockout stages of the tournament since 1986, and their second till date.
The stellar Moroccan show leads a series of memorable performances by Arab teams at the World Cup, with Saudi Arabia and Tunisia winning the hearts of millions despite making an exit.
Senegal are the other African team to have qualified for the last 16 so far, with Ghana and Cameroon set to play their last matches on Friday.
Japan made Asia proud when they topped their group to qualify for the last 16, another remarkable feat.
On the other hand, yesterday saw more misery for European powerhouses as Germany and Belgium crashed out of the World Cup. Earlier, Denmark had failed to qualify for the next round after a series of dismal performances.
Spain and Croatia, though, went through to the next round though they failed to impress in their clashes on Thursday.
Morocco will play against Spain in the Round of 16 while Japan will take on Croatia.
Meanwhile, France’s Stephanie Frappart, 38, led the first all-female refereeing team in a men’s World Cup in the Germany-Costa Rica game at Al Bayt Stadium alongside assistants Neuza Back from Brazil and Mexico’s Karen Diaz.

*MAGNIFICENT MOROCCO CRUISE PAST CANADA
Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri each scored a first-half goal to lead Morocco to a 2-1 victory over Canada yesterday in a Group F match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Al Thumama Stadium.
Ziyech’s blast opened the scoring in the fourth minute and En-Nesyri converted a long feed from Achraf Hakimi to double the advantage in the 23rd.
Morocco overcame Nayef Aguerd’s own goal in the 40th minute and fended off six corner kicks from Canada to finish with seven points to win the group and advance for the second time.

*CROATIA SURVIVE, BELGIUM SENT PACKING
Croatia reached the last 16 of the World Cup after a tension-filled 0-0 draw with Belgium yesterday that ensured the last hurrah of the Belgian ‘golden generation’ ended in a dismal group-stage exit.
Roberto Martinez’s side, ranked second in the world and semi-finalists four years ago, needed a win at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium to keep their hopes alive but could not break down the Croats.
Substitute Romelu Lukaku fluffed four golden chances to break the deadlock as Belgium cast off the shackles in the second half, although Croatia had their own opportunities to find a winner.
Morocco topped Group F, followed by Croatia, Belgium and Canada.

*JAPAN STUN SPAIN, BUT BOTH QUALIFY
Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka earned Japan a stunning 2-1 victory over Spain 2-1 in a World Cup Group E match at Khalifa International Stadium yesterday as both teams reached the last 16.
Striker Alvaro Morata put Spain ahead in the 12th minute when he headed home Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross for his third goal in three World Cup games.
Japan levelled three minutes into the second half through winger Doan who slotted home from just outside the penalty area and midfielder Tanaka scored the winner in the 51st minute, the goal confirmed after a lengthy VAR check.
This was the second come-from-behind victory for Japan against European heavyweights, having beaten Germany earlier in similar fashion.
Japan finished on top of Group E, followed by Spain, Germany and Costa Rica.

*GERMANY CRASH OUT DESPITE WIN
Germany were knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage for a second consecutive time despite a 4-2 win over Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium yesterday after the four-time champions were consigned to third in Group E following Japan’s victory over Spain.
Costa Rica deployed a five-man backline but Germany still found a way through in the 10th minute when David Raum floated in a cross that was headed home by Serge Gnabry, who restarted the game quickly fearing goal difference being a factor.
But after learning that Japan were leading Spain in the other group game, Germany let their guard down and Costa Rica scored twice with Yeltsin Tejeda arriving late to score the first before Juan Pablo Vargas bundled a second over the line.
Germany’s Kai Havertz grabbed a brace after coming on as a substitute to seal the three points before Niclas Fuellkrug added a fourth late in the game but the final results left Japan at the top of the group while Spain finished second.