World Cup 2022

SPAIN are looking to book a World Cup last 16 place in double-quick time as they face Germany in a mouthwatering clash.The Spaniards look one of the form teams of the competition so far, after an excellent performance in their opening game.

Spain hammered Germany 7-0 in their opening game
However their opponents’ need for a victory is far greater than theirs.
This clash was expected to decide top spot in the group, but following an opening defeat Germany would be delighted just to get through.
Die Mannschaft have everything to prove after going out of the 2018 group stage with a whimper.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from Spain vs Germany, including our score prediction.

How are they getting on?
Spain: La Roja made a huge statement of intent with a 7-0 win over Costa Rica.
It was death by a thousand passes for the Ticos, who didn’t manage a to have a single shot.
Germany: The Germans are staring down the barrel at a second straight World Cup group stage exit.
They were beaten 2-1 by Japan and will be effectively eliminated if the Japanese manage a better result against Costa Rica than they get against Luis Enrique’s side.

Germany may want to shuffle the pack after losing 2-1 to Japan
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Any injuries to worry about?
Spain: Spain’s camp was hit by a virus after their win over Costa Rica, affecting a number of players including goalscorer Alvaro Morata.
However, it is not expected to keep any of Luis Enrique’s players out of the clash with the Germans.
Germany: Leroy Sane was hit by a knee injury in the build-up to Germany’s defeat to Japan.
He is touch and go for the Spain game and could face the grim prospect of his country being knocked out before he’s kicked a ball.
Who will be the star men?
Spain: The whole team excelled during Spain’s hammering of Costa Rica, but one man in particular stood out.
Kopa Trophy winner Gavi was at the heart of everything Spain did, with the Barcelona wonderkid already looking like having a breakthrough tournament.
Germany: Jamal Musiala was good in spells despite Germany going down 2-1 to Japan.
German fans will be hoping the former England U21 star can cause havoc on the wing as Hansi Flick’s men look to make the most of what little possession they get.
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What’s the head-to-head?
Germany have a marginally superior head-to-head record with nine wins, compared to eight for Spain and eight draws.
In the World Cup, the Germans have won twice while Spain have won once and there has been one draw.
However in recent years, the fixtures has seen consistent Spanish dominance.
The Spaniards have won four of the last seven fixtures, including a 1-0 victory in the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup, which they went on to win.
Two of those games finished in draws while one, a friendly in 2014, was won by Germany.
The teams last met two years ago, when Luis Enrique’s team picked up a stunning 6-0 win in Sevilla.
SunSport prediction
Spain 2 Germany 1 More

JAPAN are looking to book a place in the World Cup knockout stages against all odds as they take on Costa Rica.Few would have given the Japanese any chance of progressing to the last 16 when the draw paired them with big-hitters Spain and Germany.

Japan were 2-1 winners over Germany
But following one of the great World Cup shocks, they are now in a position to progress with a game to spare.
Samurai Blue will be heavy favourites to beat Costa Rica, who already look like they need a miracle to go through.
Indeed, for the Central Americans, a result here is vital.
SunSport takes a look at what to expect from Japan vs Costa Rica, including our score prediction.
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How are they getting on?
Japan: One of the tournament’s big surprise packages after picking up a stunning 2-1 win over Germany.
That result has put them in position to effectively secure qualification if they achieve a better result against the Costa Ricans than the Germans manage against Spain.
Read the full Germany vs Japan match report…
Costa Rica: Things can only get better!
The Ticos looked the worst team in the tournament by far as they got pumped 7-0 without managing a single shot, let alone a shot on target.
Read the full Spain vs Costa Rica match report…

Costa Rica began their World Cup with a 7-0 hammering by Spain
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Any injuries to worry about?
Japan: Japan have a clean bill of health as they look to book their place in the last 16.
But following the success of manager Hajime Moriyasu’s five substitutions in the second half against Germany he may well be tempted to shuffle the pack.
Costa Rica: In a small silver lining from their hammering against Spain, Costa Rica have no fresh injury concerns.
However, it would be difficult to claim any of Luis Fernando Suarez’s starting XI wrote their name automatically onto the team sheet with that performance. Keylor Navas is a dead cert to start in goal though.
Who will be the star men?
Japan: Former Arsenal striker Takuma Asano started on the bench against Germany.
But after his winning goal in that game, he may well be favoured for a full 90 minutes.
Gunners’ defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was also an assured presence at the back after coming on against the Germans and could start here.
Costa Rica: If the Ticos play as badly as they did against Spain then Keylor Navas will need to be in top form.
There is always an element of expectation around former Arsenal winger Joel Campbell but he will have to offer a lot more than he did on Wednesday.
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What’s the head-to-head?
The two sides have never met in a tournament but have played each other five times in friendlies.
And it’s Japan who have had the whip hand in those encounters.
The Japanese have won four of their five meetings and scored three goals in each of those wins, with the other match being a 1-1 draw in Yokohama in 2002.
The teams last met in September 2018 with Japan running out 3-0 winners in Suita.
SunSport prediction
Japan 3 Costa Rica 0 More

ARGENTINA and Mexico fans traded punches in the stands amid shocking scenes at Saturday night’s World Cup clash.Violence bloke out off the field during a tense night on in as Lionel Messi eventually inspired Argentina’s 2-0 victory.
Some supporters clashed in heated exchanges at the Lusail StadiumCredit: Getty
🔴 ¡Reportan peleas entre mexicanos y argentinos en las gradas del encuentro 🇲🇽 vs 🇦🇷 #Qatar2022!Usuarios de redes sociales comenzaron a compartir imágenes de los aficionados que lanzan golpes dentro del estadio. pic.twitter.com/3rojC98qqF— Proyecto Puente (@ProyectoPuente) November 26, 2022

Supporters were recorded by fellow fans scrambling across to confront each.
Some were sent flying and one clip shows a pile of spectators swinging wild blows at each other.
There were pre-match reports of violent clashes between fans of the two proud South American footballing nations.
And asimmering feeling amongst an unruly majority spilled over during a match Argentina were under huge pressure to win.
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Losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their first group game was arguably the biggest shock in World Cup history.
And only three points against Mexico would have left qualification in their own hands.
Ultimately Messi fired a brilliant opener on 64 minutes despite being as quiet as most of his other team-mates before that.
And sub Enzo Fernandez curled an even better goal late on to seal three points.
Argentina and Mexico fans were spotted throwing punches in the stands in shocking scenesCredit: Twitter
Fan from both sides were involved in the brawlCredit: Twitter
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Even  now, though, Argentina must beat unbeaten group leaders Poland on Wednesday to reach the last 16.
And they will surely need a much more accomplished display than they have produced so far in Qatar to squeeze through.
Many fans, like these, were more in harmony but violence marred the atmosphereCredit: EPA More