It's halftime for Costa Rica and Germany at Al Bayt Stadium.
The Germans lead 1-0, despite a few late chances for Costa Rica to equalize.
December 1, 2022 World Cup news and highlights
By Aditi Sangal, Leighton Rowell, Matt Meyer and Maureen Chowdhury, CNN
Updated 3:06 p.m. ET, December 6, 2022
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Germany leads 1-0 at halftime
Spain leads Japan 1-0 as the teams go into halftime
Japan has had to do a lot of chasing in the first half with Spain dominating possession of the ball for 77% of play time. La Furia Roja has also taken double the shots at the Samurai Blue’s goal.
Japan will go back to the locker room for a brainstorm on how they could score the equalizer after that header from Spain's Álvaro Morata.
Spain 1-0 Japan
Álvaro Morata scores an opener for Spain
Striker Álvaro Morata headed the ball into the net after receiving a cross from defender César Azpilicueta to score an opening goal for Spain in the 12th minute of the game!
GOAL! Germany takes an early 1-0 lead
The Germans have pulled ahead in their Group E match against Costa Rica.
Midfielder Serge Gnabry opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a header – off a cross from David Raum – shortly after missing an almost identical attempt.
It's 1-0, Germany.
The Group E matches just kicked off
Japan vs Spain is underway at Khalifa International Stadium and Costa Rica vs Germany has begun at Al Bayt Stadium.
These matches will decide who moves on to the knockout stage from Group E. Let's go!
Here are the stakes in the 2 matches between 4 teams at 2 p.m. ET
Spain faces Japan and Costa Rica faces Germany at 2 p.m. ET. They are all vying for two spots in the Round of 16.
Here's how the scenarios could shake out:
- Spain will qualify for the Round of 16 with a win or a draw. A loss to Japan would leave them relying on goal difference to progress (though they currently have a sizable lead). That's unless Costa Rica beat Germany, in which case Spain will be out with a loss.
- Japan can go through with a victory against Spain. A draw coupled with deadlock in the Costa Rica vs Germany clash would also ensure they progress. They will go out if they are beaten by Spain, or if the match ends in a draw and Costa Rica triumphs against Germany. Goal difference will decide Japan's fate if they draw and Germany is victorious.
- Costa Rica can reach the last 16 by defeating Germany. The team can also move on if Spain overcomes Japan. But if the current group leaders are beaten, then goal difference comes into play. A draw in both games or a defeat for Costa Rica puts them out.
- Germany must pick up three points to stay in contention. Victory over Costa Rica coupled with a win for Spain against Japan will see them qualify. A draw between Luis Enrique’s side and the Samurai Blue, or a win for Japan, would take the equation to goal difference. All other results would see Hansi Flick’s men out of the competition.
Costa Rica vs Germany: These are the lineups ahead of their 2 p.m. match
Costa Rica and Germany compete for a spot in the knockouts at 2 p.m. ET. Here are their starting lineups.
Costa Rica
Manager: Luis Fernando Suárez
Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas
Defenders: Óscar Duarte, Kendall Waston, Juan Pablo Vargas
Midfielders: Keysher Fuller, Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Bryan Oviedo, Brandon Aguilera, Joel Campbell
Forward: Johan Venegas
Germany
Manager: Hansi Flick
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
Defenders: Antonio Rüdiger, Niklas Süle, David Raum, Joshua Kimmich
Midfielders: İlkay Gündoğan, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala
Striker: Thomas Müller
Japan vs Spain: Here are the lineups ahead of the Group E match
Japan and Spain will face each other at 2 p.m. today. Here are the starting lineups
Japan
Manager: Hajime Moriyasu
Goalkeeper: Shuichi Gonda
Defenders: Maya Yoshida, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Miki Yamane
Midfielders: Junya Ito, Hidemasa Morita, Ao Tanaka, Yuto Nagatomo
Forward: Daizen Maeda, Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo
Spain
Manager: Luis Enrique
Goalkeeper: Unai Simón
Defenders: César Azpilicueta, Pau Torres, Alejandro Balde, Rodrigo Hernández (Rodri)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Pedri
Forwards: Nico Williams, Álvaro Morata, Dani Olmo,
Belgian soccer coach Roberto Martinez resigns after World Cup exit
Roberto Martinez will step down as coach of Belgium's national soccer team, the Royal Belgian Football Association announced Thursday, after the Red Devils were eliminated from the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Considered a European heavyweight, Belgium needed a win to advance to the knockout stage. But the draw rested their fate on the match between Morocco and Canada. When Morocco won 2-1, it ended the World No. 2's campaign in this tournament, denying them from competing in the Round of 16.
“That was my last game with the national team and it’s emotional, as you can imagine. It has been amazing," a tearful Martinez said following the defeat. "Everything you want to do in a club, we have been able to do it in a national team. It makes me extremely proud. This team have given everyone incredible joy. But now it’s time to accept that this is my last game.”
Martinez took charge of Belgium in 2016 and helped the Red Devils to a third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup.