And yes, it’s already been a week since the 2022 World Cup started. We thrilled with the surprise victories of Saudi Arabia and Japan against Argentina and Germany. But we don’t really have time to come back to it since the competition continues with the program on the second day of group E and F and four matches still on the program. The clash Spain-Germany could be one of the big posters of this group stage. Croatia, vice-world champion in 2018, must take points against Canada while Belgium must reassure themselves in the game against Morocco. Finally, the day will begin with an unpredictable Japan-Costa Rica.
The program
- 11 a.m.: Japan – Costa Rica (BeIN Sports 1)
- 2 p.m.: Belgium – Morocco (TF1, BeIN Sports 1)
- 5 p.m.: Croatia – Canada (BeIN Sports 1)
- 8 p.m.: Spain – Germany (TF1, BeIN Sports 1)
The poster: Spain-Germany
It is already a decisive shock of this 2022 World Cup. The fault of Hansi Flick’s men, defeated in the first match against Japan (1-2), who risk elimination if they lose to the Red. In this group E, the first two places were promised to them, but this confrontation from the second match could annihilate all the German hopes or put pressure on Spain before the last meetings of this group. Busquets-Gavi-Pedri against Kimmich-Gundogan-Müller… This poster should keep all its promises between two great European rivals.
La Roja has not lost in official competition against the Mannschaft since 1988. Barely two years ago, in November 2020, Luis Enrique’s men inflicted a historic beating on Germany (6-0) in the League nations. Not enough to give the Spanish coach overconfidence: “Germany is a selection that always plays forward. It’s the selection that most resembles Spain, in the sense that they always want to control and dominate the game. It will be an open game. His German counterpart was optimistic despite his team’s failed start: “Certainly, these are not the best conditions, but we have enough quality to win this match. I can’t wait for this game to start. ” U.S. too !
Player to watch: Keylor Navas
It is surely the star of the World Cup who had the worst first day. If he was abandoned by his defense, the Costa Rica goalkeeper is at fault on at least two of the seven goals he conceded against Spain (0-7). A nightmare for the one who won three Champions Leagues (2016, 2017, 2018) with Real Madrid, and who led his selection to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2014. However, it will take a great Navas in goal of Costa Rica against Japan, if the “Sele” wants to revive in this group E.
PSG’s number 2 goalkeeper, behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, is surely suffering from a lack of rhythm before starting this 2022 World Cup. “I’m not going to hide the reality: it’s always better to play, even if it all depends on the way everyone concentrates to compete in a World Cup. I trained very well. If I don’t play in my team, it’s not because of a lack of physical condition, a drop in level, it’s because someone doesn’t want me to play and that’s it “, had launched the Costa Rican doorman on a daily basis The country. Keylor Navas must now respond on the ground.
The number: 0
0 is the number of goals scored in the World Cup, all editions combined, by Canada. To tone down the statistic a bit, this is only the second time the North American country has taken part in the World Cup after 1986. Another significant number: 7, the number of shots missed by Jonathan David in Canada’s first game lost to Belgium (0-1). Quite simply a record at the start of the 2022 World Cup. The Lille striker could therefore, against Croatia, this Sunday (5 p.m.) become the first player to score in the World Cup in the history of Canada.
The sentence: “Belgium can win the World Cup if Eden is good”
Eden Hazard in the third person at a press conference. “I think Belgium can win the World Cup if Eden is good. If Eden is not good, it will be more complicated,” the Real Madrid striker said ironically. The former Chelsea player comes out of three almost blank seasons but is rather confident about his physical condition. “The more matches I will play, the better I will be. The second game is four days later, I feel good. I want to play. The mental difficulties were mostly when I was hurt and didn’t understand why. The Belgian number 10 is expected to start against Morocco, this Sunday (2 p.m.), as in the first match against Canada (1-0).
