Saudi Arabia shocked the world Tuesday, beating Lionel Messi and Argentina 2-1 in Group C of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Could another upset be brewing?
Returning to the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, Canada's first task is a tall one against the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Belgium. Croatia, the runners-up from the 2018 World Cup, drew Morocco in a scoreless final tally. Germany vs. Japan and Spain vs. Costa Rica round out the middle of Day 4.
Germany vs. Japan starting lineups
A four-time World Cup champion, Germany is looking to avenge their early group stage exit in 2018. The Germans start their 2022 campaign against Japan, which is making its seventh consecutive World Cup appearance.
Japan is plenty familiar with Germany, four of their starters play in the top tier of the German Bundesliga. While there is an injection of youth on the Japanese side, defender Yuto Nagatomo stands out. He is making his fourth World Cup appearance. The 36-year-old has four goals in his 138 appearances for Japan.
Mororco vs coratial
Favorites, underdogs, group stage winners
Ageing Croatia might not be a dark horse
Every single tournament they seem to exceed expectations but the runners up from the 2018 tournament finally seem to be over the hill. Modric (37), Perisic (33) and Lovren (33) are the heartbeat of this team but Croatia looked their age against Morocco and they couldn’t handle the high-pressing of their opponents. Croatia can still out of the group and then who knows? Their experience in tournaments will hold them in good stead but just like at EURO 2020 they don’t seem to be able to match the intensity of most of their opponents. Their quality remains but can they get their best players in the right positions to make the most of it?
Stars of the show
Achraf Hakimi: Showed his class surging forward from right back and was a threat whenever Morocco countered.
Josko Gvardiol: So calm on the ball and dominant defensively. Hard to believe the center back is just 20 years old.
How to watch Morocco vs Croatia live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 5am ET, Wednesday Nov. 23
Stadium: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
TV channels en Español: Telemundo
Streaming en Español: Peacock (all 64 matches)
Key storylines, players to watch closely
Morocco has the capability to surprise, having lost just once since March (a misleading 3-0 defeat to the USMNT in Cincinnati). Wins over Chile and Ghana this year preceded a Thursday 3-0 defeat of Georgia. The Atlas Lions can prove tough to break down with Romain Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui, and Achraf Hakimi in their ranks.
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