- Thursday, December 1 -

Group E

- The qualification

Honor where honor is due, Germany (1 point) knows what it has to do on Thursday evening against Costa Rica (3 pts): win at all costs, if possible with a more than two-goal difference, just to overtake Japan on goal difference if the Japanese manage to snatch a draw with Spain, a scenario that would put La Roja out of reach, with five points.

A victory for Spain would automatically eliminate Japan, regardless of the result of Germany-Costa Rica.

And would favor the Mannschaft, provided that it overcomes Keylor Navas and his partners, totally revived by their victory on Sunday over Japan (1-0).

World Cup 2022: Group E ranking © / AFP

A victory for Japan would be the worst-case scenario for the Germans, as it would put the Japanese on six points with Spain on four points and a very favorable goal difference thanks to the card against Costa Rica (7-0).

But if Japan wins, the Spaniards would be automatically eliminated if Costa Rica beats Germany...

- The first place

Three out of four teams can still win this group, first Spain and Japan, of course, but also Costa Rica if they beat Germany and at the same time the Spaniards and the Japanese draw.

Everything is possible.

Group F

- The qualification

The situation in this group is also very undecided with three teams still in contention for two places.

Canada is already eliminated, after two defeats, and should not weigh heavily against a Morocco steeped in talent, still undefeated and pumped up by their victory over Belgium.

World Cup 2022: Group F standings © / AFP

In this case, most likely, the second place will be played between Croatia and Belgium in a suspenseful round of 16 between a finalist of the World Cup-2018, who has beautiful remains like Luka Modric, and a semi-finalist , Belgium, which seems to be losing momentum.

Small important detail, the Croats are one point ahead of the Belgians and can settle for a draw to ensure their qualification.

But they will have to win to have a chance of finishing top of the group if the Moroccans beat the Canadians.

- The first place

This is the other challenge of this end of group, to determine who will finish first and will therefore meet the second in Group E, which could be Germany.

Between Morocco and Croatia, it will probably be decided on goal difference or goals scored, if both teams win, because they drew in the first game.

And if Belgium wakes up, it can even finish first, provided Morocco does not win against Canada.

The bets are open.

Moroccans Achraf Hakimi (D) and Abdelhamid Sabiri celebrate the victory of their selection against Belgium at the World Cup on November 27, 2022 in Doha © Fadel Senna / AFP

Thursday, December 1

Group F

Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha)

(4:00 p.m.) Canada - Morocco

Ahmed Ben Ali Stadium (Doha)

(4:00 p.m.) Croatia - Belgium

Group E

Al-Bayt Stadium (Al-Khor)

(8:00 p.m.) Costa Rica - Germany

Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)

(8:00 p.m.) Japan - Spain

© 2022 AFP