Canada eliminated by Croatia; Spain, Germany draw

Play in Groups E and F continued Sunday after an action-packed opening week at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

One of the favorites in Group E — four-time men’s World Cup champion Germany — dropped in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Japan on Wednesday. But the Germans were able to bounce back and snag a much-needed point against Spain to keep knockout round hopes alive.

Elsewhere, Croatia eliminated Canada, who is playing in its first World Cup since 1986 and coming off a hard-fought 1-0 defeat against Belgium. Alphonso Davies scored Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal in the second minute, but Croatia came back with vengeance, winning 4-1.

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AL KHOR, Qatar — Germany forward Niclas Füllkrug salvaged a 1-1 draw against Spain on Sunday at the World Cup.

The Germans still need to win their last group match to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stage. The four-time champions were eliminated in the group stage four years ago in Russia.

Germany will next face Costa Rica, which defeated Japan 1-0 earlier Sunday. Even a win may not be enough for the Germans, who are in last place in Group E and need the other result to go their way.

Spain can reach the last 16 with a draw against Japan. — Associated Press

Germany won a scrum in front of the net and Niclas Füllkrug knotted the game with a dramatic goal in the 83rd minute.

Álvaro Morata came off the bench to give Spain a lead, scoring in the 62nd minute. Morata took a lead pass from the left wing and one-timed it to the back of the net.

Both sides had prime opportunities in the first half: Rudiger’s disallowed goal for Germany and Ferran Torres’ shot off target.

If Germany wins, Group E will be a toss up on the last day with all four teams on three points.

Halftime stats:

Possession: Spain 68%, Germany 32%

Attempts: Spain 4 (1), Germany 3 (1)

Germany’s Antonio Rüdiger had a 39th-minute goal disallowed after VAR determined the play was offside. Rüdiger found the back of the net with a header off a free kick but was found to be ahead of the Spain defense.

FIFA only began allowing World Cup officials the ability to review video replays to confirm calls in 2018. This year it’s rolling out a new semi-automated, offside technology to enhance its Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

BRUSSELS — Police had to seal off parts of the center of Brussels, deploy water cannons and fire tear gas to disperse crowds following violence during and after Morocco’s 2-0 upset win over Belgium at the World Cup.

Dozens of rioters overturned and torched a car, set electric scooters on fire and pelted cars with bricks. Police moved in after one person suffered facial injuries, said Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere.

Brussels mayor Philippe Close urged people to stay away from the city center and said authorities were doing their utmost to keep order in the streets. Even subway and tram traffic had to be interrupted on police orders. — Associated Press

Legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was called on early to keep Germany in the game. Spain’s Dani Olmo launched a shot from outside the box, assisted by Marco Asensio, toward the goal. Neuer had to stretch his arm to hit the shot off the crossbar and out of danger.

The Germans are facing a dire situation against fellow European heavyweight Spain, after losing 2-1 to Japan in their opening game.

Germany’s manager Hansi Flick called the game the “first final” as they attempt to avoid a second consecutive group-stage exit. In 2018, Germany was eliminated from the World Cup in its earliest exit in 80 years.

FINAL: Croatia 4, Canada 1

Canada was eliminated from the 2022 World Cup after losing 4-1 to Croatia on Sunday. After losing their opener 1-0 to Belgium, the Canadians took the lead less than 90 seconds into Sunday’s match. But Croatia scored twice just before halftime and added two more in the second half.

Goal! Croatia makes it 3-1 over Canada

Andrej Kramarić scored his second goal of the game in the 70th minute, cooly controlling a diagonal ball from Ivan Perisic, cutting back and slotting into the back of the net with his left foot.

It’s hard to see a way back for Canada now, who will be eliminated with a loss/.

Goal! Croatia takes 2-1 lead on Canada before halftime

Marko Livaja scored from the top of the box after some sloppy Canada defending, putting Croatia ahead in the 44th minute, just eight minutes after the 2018 runners-up found the equalizer.

It’s the second game in a row that Canada have conceded right before the stroke of halftime, with Belgium also scoring in the 44th minute of their opening match.

Goal! Andrej Kramarić ties it up for Croatia

Croatia had been knocking on the door and had a goal called back for offside but in the 36th minute, some clever passing put Andrej Kramarić in on goal and he made no mistake putting it past Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan for the equalizer.

Goal! Alphonso Davies puts Canada up on Croatia

It took less than two minutes for Canada to take the lead, with Alphonso Davies heading home Tajon Buchanan’s cross to beat Dominik Livaković.

The 22-year-old Bayern Munich man’s goal was the first goal Canada has ever scored in the men’s World Cup, days after Davies missed a penalty kick in the opening loss to Belgium.

Canada, Croatia starting lineups

One change for each side with kickoff set for 11 a.m. ET at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Morocco didn’t back down. In stoppage time, they doubled the score thanks to a substitute again. Zakaria Aboukhlal rocketed a shot to the roof of the goal, assisted by Ziyech. Courtois had no chance of stopping that. The victory is Morocco’s first World Cup win since 1998, third tournament win overall.

Heading into the final set of games, Morocco leads Group F. They are in prime position for a knockout round appearance for the first time since 1986.

Belgium looks desperate for an answer. Manager Roberto Martinez adds record goal-scorer Romelu Lukaku, who has yet to feature during this World Cup due to injury.

After more than 70 minutes of pressure on Belgium, Morocco break through again. And this one counts. Abdelhamid Sabiri curls a free kick in front of Courtois as Al Thumama stadium fills with cheers.

Morocco has yet to concede a goal this World Cup and could put themselves in prime position to advance to the Round of 16.

While Bounou was originally listed on the team sheet as the starting goalkeeper, after a strong shutout performance against Croatia, it’s El Kajoui between the post. There’s some confusion as to why. The Moroccan FA announced the change on Twitter after the game was underway.

Al Thumama Stadium erupted with jubilation from Moroccan fans when Hakim Ziyech scored from a free kick, but video review overturned the goal for an offside call. The teams enter halftime knotted in a scoreless tie.