China News Service, Beijing, November 28th. The most special game so far since the start of the World Cup ended in a 1:1 draw.
The strong dialogue between Germany and Spain is the most watched duel in a total of 48 games in the group stage, and it is also the only contest between former world champions in the group stage.
Due to the reversal of the Japanese team in the first game, facing the Spanish team with three points and seven goal difference, the pressure on the German team is even greater.
If it loses again, the German team will completely lose the initiative to qualify, and it is very likely that they will miss the knockout rounds for two consecutive World Cups.
The two teams, which are good at their feet, both use short pass penetration as their main offensive option, tearing down the opponent's defense line through fast passing, thereby creating threats.
However, as soon as the ball enters the midfield area, the two teams fight fiercely, and it is not easy for anyone to control the ball.
For example, under the personal "care" of Gretzka, the Spanish teenager Garvey, who shined in the first game, did not play smoothly.
As the game progressed, the Spanish team, which was better at handling the ball, gradually gained some upper hand.
Olmo's long-range shot near the penalty area almost broke the deadlock on the field. The ball was blocked by Neuer and hit the crossbar and popped out.
The picture shows Spain's No. 7 player Morata celebrating a goal.
Before the end of the first half, the German team's offensive began to show a threat.
Rudiger once scored with a header from a free kick in the front court, but the goal was invalid due to offside.
Entering the second half, the Spanish team's continuous oppression paid off.
The German team's double defensive midfielders received yellow cards in a short period of time, and then the Spanish team found an opportunity through a wing attack. Morata, who came off the bench, outflanked and scored in the middle. The Spanish team led 1:0 in the 62nd minute.
The picture shows Phil Kruger (right), No. 9 player of the German team, celebrating a goal.
After the balance on the field was broken, the game became more open.
The German team launched a counterattack. Mushala's shot facing the goalkeeper in the penalty area was too straight and missed the opportunity.
However, the 19-year-old made up for it later, and he sent an assist to teammate Phil Kruger, who came off the bench, and the latter scored an angry shot from inside the penalty area.
Since then, the two sides have attacked and defended each other, but the score has not been rewritten.
This wonderful duel ended in a 1:1 draw.
The picture shows the moment when players from both sides fought in front of the Costa Rica team.
In another match in the same group, the Japanese team lost 0:1 to Costa Rica.
The Japanese team adopted a similar strategy to the defeat of the German team. In the first half, they focused on defense and consumption, deliberately giving up part of the ball, and in the second half they adjusted their offense through substitutions.
Judging from the whole game, the Japanese team was the dominant side and created more threats, but an omission in the defense made all their wishful thinking come to nothing.
Fuller caught the Japanese team's mistake in the 81st minute of the game and scored the only goal of the game.
After winning 1:0, Costa Rica, which was defeated by the Spanish team in the first round, rejoined the competition for the right to qualify for the group.
Spain currently tops Group E with 4 points, while Japan and Costa Rica share 3 points.
Although the German team with only 1 point is in a disadvantageous situation, these four teams all have the hope of advancing in the final round, and they all have the possibility of being eliminated.
The "Group of Death" lives up to its name!
The picture shows the players of the Belgian team after the game.
In the competition for Group F, the last World Cup runner-up Croatia and the third runner-up Belgium both encountered difficulties in this round.
Both teams were scored first by their opponents, but the final results were quite different.
The Belgian team stumbled in the first game, and the fatigue of several key players was evident.
If it weren't for Courtois to save a penalty kick, it would be difficult for the "European Red Devils" to get three points from the Canadian team.
Facing the challenge of the Moroccan team today, Belgium's "golden generation" continued their sleepwalking state, and their performance throughout the game was lackluster.
On the contrary, Morocco played brilliantly. Sabiri contributed the first direct free kick in this World Cup to help the team rewrite the score on the field.
The picture shows the players of the Morocco team celebrating the victory.
After taking the lead, the Moroccan team performed more easily. They seized the opportunity of their opponents to come out in full force. In stoppage time, Abkhral sealed the victory and beat Belgium 2:0.
In the game between Croatia and Canada, the fastest goal so far in the opening of this cup was born.
Only 67 seconds into the game, Alfonso Davis scored the first World Cup goal in Canada's history with a header after receiving a precise cross from his teammate from the wing.
However, after resisting the opponent's "three tricks", the dominant Croatian team gradually recovered.
They completed the overtake before halftime, and Kramaric and Livaya made contributions successively.
The picture shows the Croatian players celebrating a goal.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan
The Canadian team was eager to save the defeat, but they repeatedly made mistakes on the defensive end and paid tuition for the young.
Kramaric scored twice, Mayer fixed the final score at 4:1.
The Canadian team, which suffered a two-game losing streak, lost the possibility of competing for the right to qualify for the group and became another team that was eliminated early after the host Qatar.
After taking all three points, Croatia rose to the top of the group with 4 points, while Morocco with the same score temporarily ranked second due to a goal difference disadvantage.
The Belgian team with 3 points had to face Croatia in the final round. It is likely that only one of the two teams can qualify.
Image source: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar "Delivery and Inheritance" Organizing Committee official Weibo
From tonight to tomorrow morning Beijing time, the second round of Group G and Group H is about to start.
The four games are as follows:
Cameroon played against Serbia at 18:00 in Group G; South Korea played against Ghana at 21:00 in Group H; Brazil played against Switzerland at 00:00 in Group G; Portugal played against Uruguay at 3:00 in Group H.
Although the Brazilian team defeated Serbia 2:0 in the first game and showed their strength to win the championship, the team lost two generals Neymar and Danilo one after another in this game. They will not appear in the game against the Swiss team due to injuries middle.
The picture shows Brazil player Neymar passing the ball on the ground.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
The Brazilian team has a lot of talents on the front line, but Neymar plays the most important role. Danilo's role in the team's offensive system cannot be ignored.
In their absence, the Swiss team will test the Selecao's attacking ability.
In Group H, the South Korean team will face Ghana in the prime time of the evening.
"Tai Chi Tiger" needs to strive for victory in this game, and cannot put their hope of qualifying on the last game against Portugal.
The picture shows players from Uruguay and South Korea fighting for the ball
Uruguay vs. Portugal is another focus matchup in this round.
Although the Uruguayan team failed to tear through the South Korean team's defense in the last round, it was due to bad luck. The striker led by Suarez, Nunez, Cavani and other famous players is still very lethal.
The Portuguese team's "top-heavy" problem is still there. They were able to attack but not defend well. They were almost equalized by the Ghana team at the last moment in the last round.
If the defense cannot be summed up in time, it will be difficult for them to get out of the confrontation with Uruguay.
(Finish)