Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Since when do we limit our critiques to things we could do better ourselves?

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

Everybody saw this coming.

I’m more christian than these people and i’m an atheist.

This must be what justice looks like, not vengeful, just peaceful exuberance.

Republicans firmly believe having an abortion is a very personal, very private decision between a woman and J.D. Vance.

Just because you believe it, that does not make it true.

This country desperately needs a functioning fourth estate.

If you still can’t see these things even now, maybe politics isn’t your forte and you should stop writing about it.

We can’t confuse what’s necessary to win elections with the policies that we want to implement when we do.

Fundamental belief of white supremacy: white people are presumed innocent, minorities are presumed guilty.

“Perhaps I should have considered other options.” (head-desk)

You come for women, you’re gonna get your ass kicked.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. ~Thomas Jefferson

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

After dobbs, women are no longer free.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

Mediocre white men think RFK Jr’s pathetic midlife crisis is inspirational. The bar is set so low for them, it’s subterranean.

Everything is totally normal and fine!!!

’Where will you hide, Roberts, the laws all being flat?’

The words do not have to be perfect.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

When you’re a Republican, they let you do it.

You are here: Home / Sports / Thursday Afternoon World Cup Open Thread: Japan vs Spain / Costa Rica vs Germany

Thursday Afternoon World Cup Open Thread: Japan vs Spain / Costa Rica vs Germany

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Japan vs Spain



SportsMole:

Group E leaders Spain will lock horns with second-placed Japan in an intriguing 2022 World Cup contest at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday evening.

Both nations failed to claim maximum points in their last group game, with La Roja forced to share the spoils with Germany, while the Blue Samurai suffered defeat against Costa Rica.

After recording a shock 2-1 comeback victory against Germany in their opening Group E fixture, many tipped Japan to come away with all three points from Sunday’s clash against Costa Rica.

However, the Blue Samurai were condemned to a slender 1-0 defeat by their Central American counterparts, with Keysher Fuller scoring the decisive goal nine minutes from time to blow Group E wide open ahead of the final round of fixtures…

Spain will be confident of returning to winning ways on Thursday as they have never lost in five previous World Cup meetings against Asian opposition in 90 minutes – a penalty-shoutout defeat to South Korea back in 2002 is one small blot on their copybook.

La Roja have also won their final group fixture in eight of their last nine participations at the World Cup, with a 2-2 draw against Morocco in 2018 the only exception during this run.

========

Costa Rica vs Germany

SportsMole:

The bottom two sides in World Cup 2022 Group E prepare for a mouthwatering battle for qualification on Thursday, as Costa Rica tackle Germany at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Hansi Flick’s side left it late to rescue a 1-1 draw versus Spain last time out, while Los Ticos kept their hopes of a last-16 place alive by beating Japan 1-0.

Refusing to let the seven-goal mauling that they suffered at the hands of Spain affect them, Costa Rica dusted themselves down to meet a Japan side who had got the better of Germany only four days before, but it was the Asian nation who would be humbled this time…

Nothing less than a win will do for Germany if they are to break into the top two on Thursday, and a victory for Flick’s side coupled with a Spain win over Japan would ensure that the one-point basement side advance to the last 16.

On the other hand, should Spain and Japan play out a draw, Germany would need to win by at least two goals to pip the latter to second place, and if Hajime Moriyasu’s men can pick up a shock win over La Roja, then Flick’s men would need a five-goal swing in their favour to eliminate Spain…

Reader Interactions

43Comments

  1. 1.

    Alison Rose

    On one hand, it’s super cool about the all-female referee group. On the other, any grousing about bad calls is almost certainly going to be turned up to 11.

    I liked this from Costa Rica’s manager: “I am a great admirer of everything women have conquered,” he said. “And I like that they want to keep conquering things. And this is another step forward, especially in this sport, which is a very macho.”

  2. 2.

    JML

    Almost anything can happen with this group! I expect Spain to get a win, but i would not be shocked if Costa Rico manages to pull out a draw. but this one could be wild.

    Germany needs a win, a big one and I don’t know if they have it?

  4. 4.

    PAM Dirac

    @JML: If Spain wins, any win will do for Germany

     

    ETA: If Costa Rica gets a draw and Spain wins, then Costa Rica goes through and Germany and Japan are out.

  7. 7.

    trollhattan

    My kid would kill for those shinguards–she’s an anime freak and soccered for 14 years.

  10. 10.

    HumboldtBlue

    WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? COSTA RICA AND JAPAN COULD ADVANCE FROM A GROUP THAT INCLUDES SPAIN AND GERMANY!!! MADNESS!!!

    @Alison Rose:

    On the other, any grousing about bad calls is almost certainly going to be turned up to 11.

    That’s impossible, soccer players are already at 12. Fans and supporters on the other hand….

    I am still unclear how Japan’s second goal was allowed to stand, that ball was over the line. It sure as hell makes for a lot of fun, however.

  15. 15.

    HumboldtBlue

    @PAM Dirac:

    I saw it, switching back and forth, but I’ve never seen Germany so poor, so easily countered. It’ll be interesting who wins the group, because they will get Croatia while second place will get Morocco and that’s an advantage for finishing second.

  16. 16.

    cmorenc

    @hilts: If only the cuts at CN were to truly to cull dead-woodlike Czilla.  Alas, they also cut one of the better substantive reporters, John Harwood, and yet somehow the axe has so far spared the egregious Chuck Todd.  Czilla was irritating and inane, but it’s the likes of Todd who have contributed far more to undermine substantive journalism.

    Also, the layoffs at CN are not entirely because its current leader wants to steer the coverage several degrees rightward – it’s also because of a buyout/merger of Warner & Discovery that owns CNN saddled the parent company with lots of extra debt – a deal of the sort that Romney’s former Bain Capital firm’s specialty.  That debt did was not whatsoever incurred to invest in better journalism instead of being siphoned off into vulture capitalists’ pockets.

    So let’s don’t celebrate the dismissal of Chris Czilla too much, because it is unfortunately a side-effect of a deal that’s bad for journalism, however much Czilla’s dismissal goes to it’s benefit.

  17. 17.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Alison Rose:

    I still haven’t seen a replay that concludes that. I’m not mad about it at all, Japan is so much fun to watch and seeing them go through would be fantastic.

    That goal for Germany still doesn’t guarantee they go through. Hell of a finish.

    At this point, Spain has to win for Germany to go through, the goal differential is so large.

    Also, can we all agree Roberto Martinez with Belgium has been stealing a living now for 10 years?

    10 minutes of added time. Wow.

  19. 19.

    Mike E

    I don’t have cable so no FS1, and that’s why I’m watching Telemundo because they cut in with a picture in a picture of the other match when they score.

    ETA: Spain knocking on the door!

  25. 25.

    LeftCoastYankee

    Japan beat Spain and Germany, but lose to Costa Rica.  Wacky group.

    Congrats to Japan!

  26. 26.

    JML

    What a wild one. Spain must be wondering what the hell happened. They better not be thinking this gets them an “easier” path to the semis, because there are no easy teams in this Cup.

  28. 28.

    HumboldtBlue

    @JML:

    Playing Morocco instead of Croatia is very much an easier path. They still have to play the game, but the difference is very noticeable.

  29. 29.

    PAM Dirac

    And kudos to the officiating crew in the Germany/Costa Rica game for handling a wild emotional game with calm efficiency and competence.

  31. 31.

    PAM Dirac

    @HumboldtBlue:

    They still have to play the game, but the difference is very noticeable.

    Maybe. Croatia is tough, but they could only score against Canada. It was a strange group because Belgium looked even worse that Germany did.

  32. 32.

    Splitting Image

    Definitely a changing of the guard going on at this World Cup.

    Senegal, United States, Australia, Japan, and Morocco are all through to the second round. Ghana may join them. That would make it six teams from regions other than Europe and South America. Not to mention Germany and Belgium being knocked out in the group stage and Italy missing the tournament entirely (again).

  35. 35.

    Kent

    @Splitting Image: I think the internationalization of the European pro game may be affecting the quality of the Euro national teams.  The big pro teams basically hire from across the world and show no real favoritism or development interest in their own local national players.

    Sort of like what has happened with US baseball.  Not many Black players in the game anymore because we aren’t developing Black players in little league and HS.  They are just picking them up from across Latin America and Asia.

  36. 36.

    Paul in KY

    A Knockout stage without either Germany, Belgium or Italy. Wonder what last time that that happened?

  39. 39.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Kent:

    I think the internationalization of the European pro game may be affecting the quality of the Euro national teams.

    I think it’s the fact that players from the US and Japan now almost exclusively train and play in Europe and have closed the quality gap because of that. Look at Mexico, perennial underachievers in the WC. Why? One reason is nearly all of them play in Mexico, not Europe, and it shows because they are not playing the best players at the club level. Mexican salaries are enough to keep them home.

    The Euro teams aren’t dropping in quality, the Ghanas and Senegals and Japans are catching up. Fascinating to watch, because this wasn’t the case even in 2014 or so, but it’s changed dramatically and our boys are a case in point. That’s a whole new generation of players training in Germany, England and Italy.

    And enjoy this World Cup, the expansion to 48 teams in 2026 is going to mean there will be no third game group drama like this ever again. It’s going to ruin the fun.

  40. 40.

    JR

    Wild to see the knockout rounds without Germany, Italy, or Mexico. When was the last time that happened?

  41. 41.

    billcinsd

    @HumboldtBlue: Is it? They drew, and had the same goal differential and goals scored. Morocco’s fullbacks (Mazraoui and Hakimi) are probably the best pair at the Cup. Morocco have some good strikers, too. Croatia has an excellent midfield. Croatia has a better reputation as they finished runners-up in 2018, but haven’t been better than Morocco. Croatia had more of the ball during their game with Morocco, but Morocco had more shots

     

    @HumboldtBlue:

  42. 42.

    billcinsd

    @JR: The last time Mexico didn’t make the knock-out rounds was 1978, if you don’t count 1990, when they were banned, and 1982 when they failed to qualify. Also the knockout rounds didn’t really become a thing until 1986.

    My guess would be 1930, when Germany and Italy didn’t go and Mexico lost of all of its first round games.

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