It’s time for the penultimate pair of pools to reach their climax at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar on Thursday.
Spain lead the way in Group E but still have work to do to be sure as they tackle dangerous Japan, as Germany look to press home their revival when they meet Costa Rica.
An all-European Group F clash between Croatia and Belgium could well see one of the top three nations from the last World Cup knocked out early, depending on events elsewhere as Morocco play eliminated Canada.
World Cup predictions and fixtures for 1 December
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Group E: Costa Rica vs Germany – 21.00
The battle is firmly on for knockout qualification from Group E at the Fifa World Cup on Thursday, as giants Germany have it all to do against Costa Rica.
A late Niclas Fullkrug equalizer against Spain gave Hansi Flick’s side a glimmer of hope on Sunday, with the Costa Ricans’ shock win over Japan doing no harm at all in leaving the pool wide open.
The worst match of the tournament so far burst into life in the 81st minute when Keysher Fuller scored the decisive goal.
It consigned their 7-0 mauling at the hands of the Spanish to the dustbin of history and means a positive result here will see them knock out the former world champions – and perhaps even progress themselves.
Group E: Japan vs Spain – 21.00
There’s still work to do in Group E at the Fifa World Cup, despite this being a tie between the top two in Japan and Spain.
A 7-0 battering of Costa Rica in the opening round for the Spanish was followed up by a 1-1 draw with struggling European giants Germany on Sunday night in Qatar.
It means a draw will be enough for the 2010 winners whatever happens elsewhere.
Things aren’t so simple for the Japanese, though, having coughed up a golden opportunity to top the standings when they lost to the Costa Ricans, failing to back up their famous success over the Germans.
Group F: Canada vs Morocco – 17.00
A chance to lay down a continental marker presents itself in the Fifa World Cup on Thursday, as Morocco look to emerge from Group F in their final match against Canada.
The North Africans thrust themselves into contention with an eye-catching win over world number two-ranked Belgium on Sunday.
Coupled with an opening draw against Croatia, the Atlas Lions will seldom have a better opportunity to reach the last 16.
And they’re playing the pool’s weakest nation to boot, with the Canadians’ early brightness having long since bitten the dust in slipping to a pair of defeats in their long-awaited return to the global showpiece.
Group F: Croatia vs Belgium- 17.00
There could be trouble ahead for one of these two European big shots at the 2022 Fifa World Cup on Thursday, as Croatia and Belgium go head-to-head for a coveted spot in the Round of 16.
Shock defeat to Morocco on Sunday planted the Belgians, third-placed finishers at Russia 2018, squarely on the back foot in their bid to qualify.
Luka Modric and Co were runners-up last time around and need at least a draw here to be sure of their own progress.
Sandwiched between the pair are the Moroccans, who pilfered four points from them ahead of their king-making clash with Canada.