December 5, 2022 World Cup news and highlights

England soccer star Raheem Sterling is returning home from the World Cup in Qatar after intruders broke into his family home.

Surrey Police said it is investigating a report of a burglary at an address in Oxshott, Leatherhead, after the occupants returned home from an international trip, and contacted police just before 9 p.m. on Saturday to report that a number of items of jewelry, including watches, had been stolen.

"Officers attended the address later that night and returned to speak to the occupants this morning," said a police statement. "At this time it remains unclear on which date the property was stolen and establishing this forms a key part of our investigation."

"Enquiries into the full circumstances remain ongoing and officers will look at all available evidence including any CCTV opportunities," it added.

Sterling is said to be "shaken" and "concerned" about the well-being of his children after the break-in, an individual with knowledge of the matter said, adding that the Chelsea forward is "focusing on being at home and supporting his family."

On Sunday, Sterling was absent from England's 3-0 victory over Senegal with England manager Gareth Southgate later saying the 27-year-old was dealing with a "family matter."

"I spent a lot of time with Raheem this morning," Southgate told reporters on Sunday. "Of course, it's not ideal for the group ahead of a big game but it pales into insignificance — the individual is more important than the group in those moments."

CNN has contacted England's Football Association for comment.

Sterling played in England's first two games in the group stages of the World Cup and scored in the team's 6-2 victory against Iran.

Joško Gvardiol from Croatia has been wearing a mask, due to a nose and eye problem from a head clash for his club RB Leipzig in Germany.

Other soccer players have also been spotted wearing the protective measure: South Korea's Son Heung-min has been covering his eyes and nose after the 30-year-old suffered a fractured eye socket during Tottenham’s win against Marseille in the Champions League on Nov. 1.

Tunisia’s Ellyes Skhiri broke his cheekbone in October for FC Köln in Germany, so he also wore a mask that covered his nose and sides of his face.

These types of masks have been common over recent years to protect players recovering from facial injuries. Earlier this season, Germany defender Antonio Rüdiger wore a similar mask after he took a knee to the face while playing for Real Madrid against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Over recent years, we’ve seen others, such as Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, Victor Osimhen and Sergio Ramos all wear masks on the pitch.

Ivan Perisic scored a much-needed equalizer for Croatia in the 56th minute with a header.

Following the goal, Japan came right back on the attack.

Just about a minute later, Wataru Endo got off a blast from outside the box that forced a phenomenal save from Croatian goaltender Dominik Livakovic. Game on!

Japan 1-1 Croatia

Croatia expectedly had more possession time on the ball in the first half, but the Samurai Blue still managed to find an opening to score against the 2018 World Cup finalists.

After Japan jumped into a late lead minutes before halftime, the Vatreni are back on the pitch looking to equalize.

Japan 1-0 Croatia

An exciting first half comes to an end.

Initially, both teams failed to convert their opportunities into goals.

But in the 43rd minute of the first half, Japan's Daizen Maeda converted Ritsu Doan's corner into a scintillating opener. The Samurai Blue are not playing like an underdog.

Japan's Daizen Maeda converted Ritsu Doan's corner to put a goal on the Samurai Blue scoresheet in the 43rd minute of the match.

Japan leads Croatia 1-0.

Croatia and Japan have kicked off the first half in their knockout round match.

Croatia

Goalkeeper: Dominik Livakovic

Defenders: Borna Barisic, Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Juranovic

Midfielders: Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic

Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Bruno Petkovic

Japan

Goalkeeper: Shuichi Gonda

Defenders: Shogo Taniguchi, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Maya Yoshida

Midfielders: Yuto Nagatomo, Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita, Junya Ito

Forwards: Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Daizen Maeda

Not many would have predicted that Japan would beat both Spain and Germany to top Group E in qualifying for the knockouts. But the team has been so impressive that not many would now raise an eyebrow if the Samurai Blue were to progress to the quarterfinals for the first time in its history when they play against Croatia — the 2018 World Cup finalist — in the Round of 16 at the Al Janoub Stadium today at 10 a.m. E.T.

Croatia is a team undefeated in nine of its last 10 World Cup matches. Its only loss in that run coming in Russia four years ago when a Kylian Mbappé-inspired France secured a 4-2 win in the final.

Meanwhile, Japan has never progressed beyond the round-of-16, suffering defeat in 2002, 2010 and 2018.

Defender Yuto Nagatomo said memories of the defeat by Belgium four years ago, when Japan let a 2-0 lead slip and lost to a stoppage-time goal, will drive the players on this time.

Since 1997, Japan and Croatia have played each other three times, with Japan winning a friendly 4-3, but losing to Croatia in the group stage at France 1998. At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the two teams played out a 0-0 draw.

Croatia is a possession-based team, which might suit Japan given it beat Germany and Spain with 17.7% and 26.1% possession respectively.

Japan “will apply the samurai warrior philosophy. So will we. If we want to go further, we must apply that same attitude, do our best and never underestimate anyone," Coach Zlatko Dalić said. “Japan have the least ball possession in the world, but they make great transition. This is the most perseverant, persistent opponent. They simply do not give up. We have a similar mentality, Japan and Croatia. We stand on equal ground.”