Spain coach Luis Enrique expecting "open game" against Germany
Spain look to continue their winning start to the World Cup as they take on Germany in a critical Group E clash. Luis Enrique’s Spaniards have firm control of the group following their 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica in their opening match and have the chance to reach the last 16 this evening. Three points against the Germans will safely see them join France in the next round.
Germany, meanwhile, are staring down the barrel of an early exit. Their shock 2-1 loss to Japan last time out leaves Hansi Flick’s men with no margin for error as a second defeat would see them all but eliminated from the World Cup at the group stages for the second tournament in a row.
This clash of European heavyweights is too difficult to call ahead of kick off but both teams will be looking at their younger players to light up the game. Spain have the teenage duo of Pedri and Gavi partnering the experienced Sergio Busquets whilst Germany will count on 19-year-old Jamal Musiala to add an extra dimension to their wide play.
Another group stage exit would be disastrous for Germany and they take on Group E’s most difficult opponents knowing that three points will heavily boost their chances of reaching the last 16.
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Spain vs Germany
Spain vs Germany big match preview, by Miguel Delaney
As Luis Enrique was talking about how sex the night before games is fine, but an “orgy” is “not ideal”, Hansi Flick - well - was seeming metaphorically impotent. It was Ilkay Gundogan who had been the strongest voice in a crisis meeting after the defeat to Japan, where Germany’s somewhat unlucky display started to come apart as Flick desperately threw on more forwards. The breakthrough didn’t come with either Niclas Fullkrug or Youssoufa Moukoko.
These weren’t exactly the most inspired or imaginative decisions.
Flick and his staff have since been scrutinising the Spanish match against Costa Rica, looking for different ways to get at them, but also the gaps in their own team. Thilo Kehrer is expected to come in for the struggling Niklas Sule.
More insight than that will be required, and not just because of how good Spain were in that 7-0, or how it is a rare group-stage clash between heavyweights that could slam Germany out.
It is also a meeting between the only two coaches at this World Cup to have recent major club success. And what success. The two are responsible for the last two trebles in the Champions League. Luis Enrique won with Barcelona in 2015, Flick with Bayern Munich in 2020.
They may be the two best coaches at the tournament with the German in particular needing to show it with his team’s place in Qatar under threat after an opening defeat
Spain vs Germany
Now all eyes turn to what many predicted to be the clash of the World Cup group stages as Spain take on Germany in Group E, in a meeting of two former champions.
Spain thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening fixture as Luis Enrique’s side made a flying start, while Germany were stunned by Japan in a 1-0 defeat.
Earlier today in Group E, Japan were unable to build on their shock opening win against Germany as they fell to a disappointing defeat to Costa Rica.
The result is a boost to Germany, who will no longer be knocked out if they lose to Spain tonight. A draw may even be a good result.
Japan 0-1 Costa Rica: Los Ticos bounced back after a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Spain in their Qatar World Cup opener
Croatia fight back to win as Canada entertain again but exit World Cup early
Report by Karl Matchett
Another World Cup day, another World Cup moment of history. Just 90 seconds after kick-off, Canada had their first-ever goal at a finals, Alphonso Davies had his moment of redemption and the Qatar tournament had its earliest goal in any game.
The best side in Concacaf qualifying had shown their qualities in the opener against Belgium without earning reward - mostly due to Davies seeing a penalty saved, but with profligacy elsewhere too.
This time the fast start brought the best reward of all, but despite those opening scenes of jubilation and pride, promise and potential, Canada are out.
Croatia 4-1 Canada: Alphonso Davies gave the Concacaf nation the lead but Andrej Kramaric hit a brace in response, either side of Marko Livaja’s fine finish, with Lovro Majer netting in stoppage time
FULL TIME! Croatia 4-1 Canada
Canada are out! They scored a historic goal but Croatia’s supreme comeback means they are just the second team to exit the tournament, along with Qatar. That was a classy response from Croatia, who claim a big win and will go into their deciding fixture against Belgium full on confidence.
GOAL! Canada 4-1 Croatia (Majer 90+4’)
It’s cruel on Canada, but you can’t argue that Croatia don’t deserve four. It comes after a terrible mistake from the Canada defender Miller. It leads to the two-on-one and the move is finished off by Lovro Majer.
Croatia 3-1 Canada
90+3 mins: Close! Davies’ goal for Canada was their standout moment here, and will be what they take away from their first World Cup since 1986, but Hoilett goes close to adding a second with a dipping volley that goes wide.
Croatia 3-1 Canada
90 mins: We’re into six minutes of added time but this match was pretty much over when Kramaric struck for his second.
Croatia 3-1 Canada
88 mins: It will be a shame to see Canada go. They have brought more to the World Cup than most teams and entertained here again today, but they have also been found out at times as being a bit naive.
They will be among the World Cup hosts in four years’ time and this experience will help them, no doubt about that.
Croatia 3-1 Canada
87 mins: Three late changes for Croatia with Pasalic, Orsic and Majer come on. Modric, Kovacic and Perisic are removed and wrapped in cotton wool.
Croatia 3-1 Canada
84 mins: Modric picks up a yellow card after getting in a tangle with Miller. That could come back to haunt Croatia later in the tournament...
