Welcome to Day 8 coverage of the FIFA World Cup. This is your home for match reports, the latest injury and squad updates, as well as match start times.
It is arguably the biggest day in Canadian men’s soccer history as the team prepares to face Croatia. Be sure to read CTVNews.ca’s preview on all you need to know about the matchup.
Belgium are also in action against Morocco after Costa Rica defeated Japan earlier.
In the final match of the day, Germany faces an uphill task to keep its World Cup dream alive against Spain, with the team fresh off a 7-0 victory over Costa Rica.
Watch the matches live on CTV and TSN
Saturday’s play saw Lionel Messi lead Argentina to a crucial 2-0 victory over Mexico.
France became the first team to clinch a spot in the Round of 16, while both Poland and Australia staved off elimination against Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, respectively.
BELGIUM VS. MOROCCO
After defeating Canada in its opening match, Belgium can clinch a spot in the Round of 16.
Morocco drew with Croatia and will look to secure at least another point going into its final match with Canada on Thursday.
Regular Moroccan goalkeeper Bono was a late scratch while Bayern Munich's Noussair Mazraoui is fit to start after picking up an injury in Morocco's opening match against Croatia.
Belgium starting XI: Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Meunier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Timothy Castagne, Amadou Onana, Axel Witsel, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard (c), Thorgan Hazard, Mitchy Batshuayi.
Morocco starting XI: Munir El Kajoui, Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss (c), Noussair Mazraoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal.
JAPAN VS. COSTA RICA
Full match report
An 81st-minute winner from Keysher Fuller gave Costa Rica a 1-0 win over Japan.
This is a massive missed opportunity for the Japanese after beating Germany in their opening match.
Costa Rica now have some semblance of hope after getting drubbed 7-0 by Spain. The North American side will play Germany in its final match on Thursday.
Japan starting XI: Shuichi Gonda, Miki Yamane, Ko Itakura, Maya Yoshida (c), Yuto Nagatomo, Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Yuki Soma, Ayase Ueda.
Costa Rica starting XI: Keylor Navas (c), Keysher Fuller, Oscar Duarte, Kendall Watson, Francisco Calvo, Bryan Oviedo, Gerson Torres, Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Joel Campbell, Anthony Contreras.
LATEST NEWS
Canadian forward Tajon Buchanan, who currently plays for Belgium's Club Brugge, is reportedly garnering interest from Europe's top five leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France).
LOOKING AHEAD
Match times are listed below. There is a three-hour preview of the Canada versus Croatia match beginning at 8 a.m. on TSN.
Day 9 concludes the second round of group phase matches and looks like this:
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time.
