Morocco vs Croatia LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction today
Morocco 0-0 Croatia: The Group F clash ended goalless with Luka Modric and co frustrated at the Al Bayt Stadium
Croatia‘s bid to emulate their World Cup exploits of four years ago began in stuttering fashion with a frustrating Group F stalemate against Morocco. The 2018 runners-up controlled possession at Al Bayt Stadium but lacked a cutting edge in a forgettable 0-0 draw against opposition with just two World Cup victories in their history.
Nikola Vlasic went close to an opener in first-half added time, while Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened winners for Morocco in the second period. The result leaves both sides with hope of reaching the knockout stages - albeit with plenty to do - in a group also containing Belgium and Canada. Croatia‘s starting XI contained five players who were involved in their 4-2 World Cup final defeat to France in Russia, including influential captain Luka Modric.
Manager Zlatko Dalic also remained from that match in Moscow and saw his side struggle to create in a tight, uninspiring opening period largely devoid of clear openings. Tottenham’s Ivan Perisic lashed narrowly over from distance, while Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech wastefully fired a well-positioned free-kick straight into the wall at the other end.Croatia saved their best first-half attempts for added time.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was finally tested when he repelled a close-range poke from Vlasic with a thigh, before Modric smashed over just before the whistle. Walid Regragui only took charge of the Atlas Lions three months before the tournament and was yet to see his new side concede a goal.
They remained resilient at the back after the restart and also improved from an attacking perspective, with Bayern Munich full-back Mazraoui, who was later stretchered off injured, seeing a header pushed away by Dominik Livakovic. Paris St Germain defender Hakimi then had a superb long-range effort denied by Croatia keeper Livakovic after being teed up by Ziyech at a free-kick before the contest faded away into the third goalless draw in the competition’s last four games. Croatia continue their campaign against Canada on Sunday afternoon, with Morocco facing Belgium earlier that day.
Germany 1-2 Japan
90+7 minutes: One final chance for Germany - a free-kick out wide!
Manuel Neuer is up in the box...
Germany 1-2 Japan
90+5 minutes: And there’s Germany’s golden chance!
A long ball is knocked down by Sule, straight into Goretzka’s path... but he shoots just wide!
Inches from an equaliser!
Germany 1-2 Japan
90+5 mins: Rudiger has a go from about 35 yards, skewing it wide.
Desperate that from the Real Madrid man. Who saw all this coming 20 minutes ago?!
Germany 1-2 Japan
90+4 minutes: Germans appeal for a penalty!
Niclas Füllkrug goes down after a collision with a Japanese defender. Nothing in it.
We go on...
Germany 1-2 Japan
90+2 minutes: Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has played a masterclass this afternoon in his substitutions - they’ve completely turned the game on its head!
Five to go. Can the Germans find a goal from anywhere?
They’ll get a chance...
Germany 1-2 Japan
Here’s the Japan winner!
Brilliant from Takuma Asano... but what was Nico Schlotterbeck doing in defence for Germany?!
Germany 1-2 Japan
89 mins: Last roll of the dice from Hansi Flick.
Moukoko, the 18-year-old, comes on for Gnabry. Goretzka goes wide with a header...
Germany 1-2 Japan
88 mins: Japan want a penalty now for a foul by Rudiger in the box!
No penalty - a brief VAR check confirms it!
Must confesss that I didn’t see the incident as the TV coverage was on an earlier replay....
Germany 1-2 Japan
87 mins: Japan have never beaten Germany - they’re three minutes plus injury time from doing just that!
Japan so deep now, in a back-six more or less!
Could it be another World Cup stunner here?!
GOAL! Germany 1-2 Japan (Asano 83’)
83 mins: Oh can you believe this... Japan are ahead against Germany!
And what a goal this is! It’s the Japan sub Takuma Asano - who has been so lively since coming on - with a terrific individual goal!
It’s a simple long ball down the pitch - Asano takes it brilliantly, and then somehow squeezes it in the roof of the net at the near post, beyond Neuer!
Japan have 10 or so minutes left to see out a famous win here!
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