Mandatory Credit: Photo by Marcio Machado/SPP/Shutterstock (13635981m) Gavi of Spain celebrates after scoring a goal (5-0) during the match between Spain vs Costa Rica, valid for the group stage of the World Cup Spain v Costa Rica, FIFA World Cup 2022, Group E, Football, Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar – 23 Nov 2022

World Cup Sunday Preview: Spain vs. Germany headlines highly-anticipated clash between global soccer powers

Clovis Shropshire
November 26, 2022
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17 minutes read

Group E: Japan (No. 24) vs. Costa Rica (No. 31)

When, where: 4 a.m. CT, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)

What to expect: Japan continues its historic 2022 World Cup campaign with a clear chance for a second straight victory and three points to remain atop the Group E standings. The Japanese will no longer be underdogs, like they were in their 2-1 upset victory over Germany, when they play against Costa Rica in Sunday’s opening match at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. The “Samurai Blues” of Japan were listed just seven spots ahead of Costa Rica in the latest edition of the FIFA men’s world rankings published in October, but in reality, the two nations could not be further apart in talent. With a win here, Japan would be one step closer to qualifying for the knockout stage and possibly advancing past the Round of 16 for the first time in history. Japan’s 2-1 upset against Germany perhaps should not have come as much of a surprise as it did publicly, either. The Samurai Blue have lost just two of their past 16 international contests, including impressive wins versus both the USA and Australia. Japan is also 2-0 all-time against the Costa Ricans, outscoring them 6-1 in international friendly victories in 2018 (3-0) and 2014 (3-1), respectively. Unlike Saudi Arabia in its second World Cup match, look for the Japanese to display its technical soundness and solid defense against an undermatched Costa Rica side.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: Japan 2, Costa Rica 0

Group F: Belgium (No. 2) vs. Morocco (No. 22)

When, where: 7 a.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)

What to expect: Kevin De Bruyne and the No. 2-ranked Belgians should have their hands full against an underrated and defensively feisty Moroccan quad on Sunday at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Belgium needed just one score to defeat Canada in Group F’s Matchday 1 contest. It could be a similar scenario in Matchday 2 against a Moroccan squad that played to a 0-0 draw against the 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia in its opening match. Despite the opening match win, Belgium certainly was not impressive in its matchup with the Canadians. Canada totaled 22 shots to just nine for Belgium and tied the Belgians in both shots on goal (three) and corner kicks (four). Morocco was efficient in limited opportunities against the Croatians, holding the edge with eight total shots to five and tying Croatia in shots on goal with two. Belgium is clearly the more talented side here, although it will not come easy against a No. 22-ranked Moroccan national team that has been on the rise in the FIFA men’s rankings as of late. Expect a tightly contested affair here, with the Belgians pulling away late.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: Belgium 2, Morocco 1

Group F: Croatia (No. 12) vs. Canada (No. 41)

When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)

What to expect: 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric will look to help give Croatia its first win at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Tuesday at 10 a.m. CT. The Croatians played to a disappointing 0-0 draw against Morocco in its opening Group F match but still held a clear edge in time of possession (65% to 35%) and set pieces (five to zero) despite not earning the win and three points. The 2018 World Cup runners-up should have a solid bounce-back opportunity against No. 41-ranked Canada, which entered the 2022 World Cup as one of just six nations with a FIFA men’s world ranking of 40th or worse. Canada will need to hold down the fort defensively once more, just as it did in a tight 1-0 loss to Belgium, in order to give itself a chance to compete here, and the motivation will certainly be there as a loss will likely eliminate Canada from knockout round qualification. Look for Croatia to eke out a close win in this spot.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: Croatia 1, Canada 0

Group E: Spain (No. 7) vs. Germany (No. 11)

When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)

What to expect: A clash of powerhouse nations will headline Sunday’s Matchday 2 card when Spain battles Germany at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Only four spots separate No. 7-ranked Spain and No. 11-ranked Germany in the FIFA men’s world rankings, marking the tightest gap between the top two teams in any group at the 2022 World Cup. Spain trounced the Germans 6-0 back in November 2020 in the UEFA Nations League, but before that match, we did see these two sides play to consecutive 1-1 draws in September 2020 and March 2018. The last time Germany defeated Spain was a 1-0 win in November 2018; before that, it was Spain that defeated the Germans 1-0 in the 2010 World Cup on its way to a championship trophy. Teenage stars Pedri and Gavi might just be the rising duo of the soccer world for Spain, similar to the emergence we saw in 2018 with a teenage Mbappé starring for eventual world champion France. The youth movement of the Spanish marks a relatively stark contrast to the elder statesmen of Germany, led by Thomas Muller, and Manuel Neuer, who are still vital cogs for the Germans dating back to their 2014 World Cup title. Germany will certainly be the more desperate side here, although the Spanish will also come in playing loose, young, and with seemingly nothing to lose. Either team can obviously win here, although we will likely see a draw as both nations prepare themselves for a deep knockout stage run for the 2022 World Cup title.

Chris Dell’s Prediction: Spain 1, Germany 1

Sunday’s Schedule (Nov. 27, 2022): Matchday 2 of 3