Doha, Qatar: Costa Rica put a huge dent in Japan’s hopes of reaching the last-16 stage when they rebounded from their 7-0 hammering by Spain to claim a surprise 1-0 victory in Group E.
The door was ajar for Japan to seal their place in the knockout round after their historic opening win over Germany on the same day as Costa Rica’s collapse.
But Keysher Fuller’s curling 81st-minute effort, Costa Rica’s first shot on target in the tournament, rocked Japan. When Fuller’s left-footer crept into the top of the net, Costa Rica’s players and fans erupted in delirium.
2018 finalists Croatia show class, despatch Canada 4-1
Doha, Qatar: Alphonso Davies netted Canada’s first goal but it was Croatia, spearheaded by a brace from Andrej Kramaric, who came away with an impressive 4-1 Group F win on Sunday that ended any hope of the Canadians advancing while keeping their own alive in the World Cup.
After Davies had scored with a bullet header just over a minute into play, Croatia showed their class with Kramaric levelling in the 36th minute and Marko Livaja putting the 2018 finalists ahead just before the break.
Croatia got two more after the break, with Kramaric getting his second in the 70th minute and Lovro Majer scoring in stoppage time.
Croatia join Morocco at the top of the Group F standings on four points and now need only a draw in their final game against Belgium to progress. Canada, in the World Cup for just the second time, are bottom of the table and still looking for their first ever win.
Neymar working ‘24 hours a day’ to return
Brazil’s Neymar is working “24 hours a day” to recover from his ankle injury and play again at the World Cup, Brazil teammate Marquinhos said. Neymar damaged ligaments in his right ankle in the team’s win over Serbia.
He remained hopeful but team doctors still haven’t given a timetable on his return — or said if he will return at all.
Neymar had said Saturday on Instagram that he was “sure” he would “have a chance to return.” He posted photos of his ankle still looking very swollen.
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