November 27, 2022 coverage of the World Cup

Our live coverage has ended for the day. Read more about Spain and Germany’s big match here, or scroll through the updates below for more on today’s action.

Every Group E team has a chance to advance to the Round of 16 heading in to the final group stage match.?

For Germany to move on, they must defeat Costa Rica in their final group game.

A German win coupled with a Japanese loss against Spain would put Germany through.

Should Germany win and Japan tie Spain, goal differential would break a tie in the standings between Germany and Japan. Japan has a one goal edge in that category, as of Sunday.

Costa Rica can advance with a win against Germany. They won’t be favored, but we’ve seen underdogs win plenty already in Qatar.

Spain is sitting in the driver’s seat —?it sits atop the standings with four points. It also has a huge lead in goal difference, in the case its game ended in a draw or a loss.

Remember: “Goal differential” or “goal difference,” the standings tiebreaker referenced above, is a simple calculation: The total number of goals a team has scored, minus the number of goals it has allowed.

The top two teams from each group move on to the single-elimination Round-of-16, or “knockout stage,” of the tournament.

Spain's álvaro Morata, center, jumps to head the ball during a match between Spain and Germany at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar on Sunday.

Today’s marquee matchup ended in a 1-1 tie between Germany and Spain, the former World Cup winners.

The two entered the game in very different positions, with Spain atop the Group E standings after a 7-0 drubbing of Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Germany was at the bottom of the standings and trying to bounce back from a shock loss to Japan.

Even with the draw, Spain remains well in control of its fate with four points, alone atop the group.

Germany still has life with one point, but has a lot of work to do in its next match against Costa Rica.

Match recap:

This one went into the half deadlocked at 0-0.

In the 7th minute, Spain’s Dani Olmo rifled an attempt from the edge of the 18-yard box. But his shot was pushed off the underside of the bar by German goalie Manuel Neuer. It was the closest La Roja came to breaking the deadlock in the early going.

Germany appeared?to take the?lead when Antonio Rüdiger headed one home from a free kick in the 39th minute. But the Germans were ruled offside and the goal was crossed off.

In the second half, Germany came out pressing as they fought for their World Cup lives.

Spain?had?trouble?getting out of its own half in the early minutes of the second period. In the 49th minute, Germany earned a free kick in a dangerous spot but wasted the opportunity. In the 55th minute, a costly turnover forced Spanish goalie Unai Simón into an outstretched save on?a Joshua?Kimmich shot.

Coming off the bench, álvaro Morata became?the difference-maker for La Roja.

In the 62nd minute, the 30-year-old Spanish striker found the back of the net to break the?deadlock and give Spain the?1-0 lead.

Germany?made a valiant effort to get the goal back. In the 70th minute, Jamal Musiala had a great chance to equalize for Germany from point break range. But Simon stood tall to make the block and keep the Germans out.

Finally, 20 minutes after Spain took the lead, Germany broke through. In the 82nd minute, Niclas Füllkrug beat Simon and squared the match late.

No one scored in the little time remaining despite a few promising chances, and the two teams ended in a deadlock.

Germany's Niclas Füllkrug celebrates after scoring a goal against Spain to make it 1-1 at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar on Sunday.

Niclas Füllkrug beat Spain’s goaltender Unai Simón in the 83rd minute to make it 1-1.

álvaro Morata?celebrates scoring Spain's first goal at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar on Sunday.

Spain has broken through and found a way!

Coming off the bench, 30-year-old striker álvaro Morata gets the goal for La Roja in the 62nd minute.

We’re back underway in the final World Cup match of the day.

Spain 0, Germany 0.

Costa Rica celebrates after winning a match against Japan at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Sunday.

If this morning’s match between Costa Rica and Japan had ended as expected, this game between Spain and Germany would have carried higher immediate stakes for both sides.

Instead, Costa Rica pulled off a stunning upset. Now, the fate of these two former World Cup winners will not be sealed this evening.

Here’s how it’s looking in Group E, according to FIFA:

Spain cannot mathematically clinch a Round of 16 berth even if they win because of Costa Rica’s victory.

A win or even a draw would leave La Roja in great position, though. The team entered play with three points and sits atop the group with a huge goal difference advantage. (Remember, that’s the standings tiebreaker based on the total number of goals scored, minus the number of goals allowed.)

Germany cannot be eliminated even if they lose, again, because of Costa Rica’s unlikely win.

A loss would put the Germans in a very tough position, though, as they enter play at the bottom of the Group E standings. If they can fight to a draw and muster at least one point, they’ll be in better position heading into their next match as favorites against Costa Rica (though we’ve seen plenty of favorites fall in this tournament).

Obviously, a win is the best-case scenario and will shake up the group standings ahead of the all-important final round of games.

Remember: The top two teams from each group move on to the single-elimination Round-of-16, or “knockout stage,” of the tournament.

Spain's Dani Olmo runs with the ball during a match between Spain and Germany at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar on Sunday.

It’s all knotted at 0-0 halfway through Spain vs Germany.

Big scoring chances have been hard to come by in this?tight affair between two highly-ranked powerhouses of the sport.

In the 7th minute, Spain’s Dani Olmo rifled an attempt from the edge of the 18-yard box. But his shot was pushed off the underside of the bar by German goalie Manuel Neuer. It was the closest La Roja came to breaking the deadlock.

On the other end, Germany’s Serge Gnabry created a nervous moment for Spain later in the first half when he took an errant clearance from goaltender Unai Simon at the edge of the box, but his shot sailed wide.

Germany appeared?to take the?lead when Antonio Rüdiger headed one home from a free kick in the 39th minute. But the Germans were ruled offside and the goal was crossed off.

Spain has dominated?possession as they are wont to do. But Germany’s press has looked threatening at times. Surely, there’s?at least a goal in here somewhere!

The two teams currently sit?at either side of the table in Group E, with Spain at the top and Germany at the bottom. Spain can’t mathematically clinch its spot in the next round tonight, and Germany cannot technically be eliminated.

Antonio Rüdiger of Germany scores a goal but the goal was crossed off for the Germans being offside at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar on Sunday.

In the 39th minute, Germany’s Antonio Rüdiger headed one home from a free kick. But the Germans were ruled offside and the goal was crossed off.

It’s still 0-0 late in the 1st half.

The inside of Al Bayt Stadium as the team flags are displayed before the match in Al Khor, Qatar on Sunday.

Here we go…

The marquee match of the day between?Spain and Germany has begun.

Spain

Manager: Luis Enrique

Goalkeeper: Unai Simon

Defenders: Rodri, Jordi Alba, Dani Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Pedri Gonzalez

Forwards: Marco Asensio, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo

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Germany

Manager: Hansi Flick

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer

Defenders: Antonio Reudiger, David Raum, Thilo Kehrer, Niklas Suele

Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, Ilkay Guendogan

Forwards: Thomas Mueller

For the squad list of all the teams playing in the World Cup,?click here.

Japan players celebrate their 2-1 win over Germany at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.

Japan’s stunning victory over four-time World Cup champion Germany on Wednesday provided another upset in a tournament already marked by history-making upsets.

Germany dominated for large periods of the match and had plenty of opportunities to extend its lead after going up 1-0. But Japan rode its luck and was clinical when the chances arrived. Ultimately, the team defeated Germany 2-1.

Though not on the level of Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina on Tuesday, seldom few people had predicted Wednesday’s result.

The early slate Sunday brought more surprise outcomes, with Morocco defeating world No. 2 Belgium and Costa Rica beating Japan 1-0.

What’s next: Japan’s victory blew Group E wide open and gave Germany a real mountain to climb – the 2014 World Cup winner faces the daunting prospect of Spain next.

Germany players pose with their hands covering their mouths as they line up for the team's photo prior to the World Cup game against Japan.

It was a moment so brief that the thousands of fans inside the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday could easily have missed it.

But in the time it took for the photographers amassed in front of Germany’s World Cup team to snap a picture, the four-time winners sent a message to soccer’s world governing body.

Germany’s starting 11 all posed with their right hands in front of their mouths, and within minutes, the image was circulating widely on social media.

And as?Germany?kicked off their?World Cup campaign against Japan?in Group E, the team’s social media feed confirmed that the gesture was designed as a protest to FIFA’s decision to ban the “OneLove” armband that many European captains had been hoping to wear in Qatar.

Before the tournament, captains from England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark had planned to wear the armbands – which features a striped heart in different colors to represent all heritages, backgrounds, genders and sexual identities. But FIFA made it clear on Monday that players would be yellow carded for donning the bands in the World Cup.

On Wednesday, the German Football Federation (DFB) released a series of tweets shortly after the game had kicked off indicating that FIFA had prevented them from using their voices to speak up at the World Cup for issues they felt passionate about, hence the protest.

“We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect,” the DFB said. “Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.

“It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us.

“Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice,’ added the DFB. “We stand by our position.”

Croatia's supporters cheer during the match between Croatia and Canada on Sunday.

Croatia beat Canada 4-1 in their Group F match.

With the victory, Croatia ends the day atop the group, with four points earned in its first two matches.

And with the loss, Canada’s dreams of advancing to the knockout round are dashed. They are officially eliminated from tournament contention after the defeat.

Match recap:

Canada wasted no time opening the scoring. Just 68 seconds into the match, Alphonso Davies put the Canadians up 1-0. It was Canada’s first-ever goal at the World Cup.

After taking the lead, Canada looked lively. But in the latter part of the first half, Croatia took control.?

In the 36th minute, Andrej Kramaric lasered a ball past the Canadian keeper Milan Borjan. Ten minutes earlier, Kramaric found the back of the net but the play was whistled offside.?

Just a few minutes later, Croatia scored a second and took the lead 2-1. Marko Livaja picked the ball up just outside the 18-yard box and found the bottom right corner of the net.

Canada looked like it was reeling going into the break, but the players settled down to start the second half.

In the 48th minute, a potential equalizer sailed just wide of Croatia’s right post. Then, in the 53rd minute, Croatia nearly got a third, but Canadian keeper Borjan made a big save to keep it out.

In the 70th minute, Croatia finally extended its lead to 3-1. Andrej Kramaric scored his second on the night to give the Croatians a two-goal cushion.?

In stoppage time, the Croatians added insult to injury.?Lovro Majer, who came on as a substitute, found the back of the net to make it 4-1 in the 94th minute.

Croatia players celebrate their team’s fourth goal against Canada on Sunday.

The Croatians punished the Canadians with a late goal in stoppage time to make it 4-1.

Andrej Kramaric scores Croatia’s third goal in the match against Canada on Sunday.

Croatia has extended its lead to 3-1 in the 70th minute.

Andrej Kramaric scored his second on the night to give the Croatians a two-goal cushion.

Bruno Petkovic of Croatia heads the ball during Sunday’s match against Canada.

The second half is underway between Croatia and Canada.

Croatia leads 2-1 and closed the second half in command, scoring twice in quick succession. Can Canada regain control? Let’s go!

Croatia's players celebrate their second goal against Canada on Sunday.

It’s Croatia 2, Canada 1 at halftime in their Group F match.

Canada wasted no time opening the scoring. Just 68 seconds into the game, Alphonso Davies put the?Canadians up 1-0. It was Canada’s first-ever goal at the?World Cup.

After taking the lead, Canada looked lively. But in the latter part of the half, Croatia took control.

In the 36th minute, Andrej Kramaric lasered a?ball past the Canadian keeper Milan Borjan. Ten minutes earlier, Kramaric found the?back of the net but the play?was whistled offside.

Just a few minutes later, Croatia scored a second and took the lead 2-1.?Marko Livaja picked the ball up just outside the 18-yard box and found the bottom right corner of the net.

Canada looked to be reeling as the first period came to a close. Let’s see if they can turn it around and regain momentum.

Croatia's Marko Livaja scores his team's second goal against Canada on Sunday.

Just a few minutes after tying it up, Croatia scores a second and now leads Canada 2-1 late in the first half.

In the 44th minute, Marko Livaja picked the ball up just outside the 18-yard box and found the bottom right corner of the net.

Croatia's Andrej Kramaric celebrates scoring his team's first goal against Canada on Sunday.

Croatia ratcheted up the pressure in the latter part of the half, and?Andrej Kramaric just found pay dirt.

In the 36th minute, Kramaric lasered a?ball past the Canadian keeper Milan Borjan.

Ten minutes earlier, Kramaric found the?back of the net, but the play?was whistled offside.

This one stuck, and Croatia and Canada are all square at 1-1.

Canada's Alphonso Davies heads the ball to score against Croatia on Sunday, November 27.

Holy cow! Canada just made it 1-0 in the first two minutes of the game.

Alphonso Davies got his country’s first-ever World Cup goal with a brilliant header.

The Bayern Munich man has scored 11 goals in 36 international appearances for his country. But none bigger than that one.

The goal, scored in 68 seconds, is the fastest in the tournament so far.

Canada’s Richie Laryea controls the ball under pressure of Croatia’s Andrej Kramaric on Sunday.

The match is underway!

Croatia and Canada face off in Group F. Earlier today in the group, Morocco shocked world No. 2-ranked Belgium.

Croatia and Canada players take the field ahead of their match on Sunday, November 27.

Croatia

Manager: Zlatko Dali?

Goalkeeper: Dominik Livakovic

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

Midfielders: Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic

Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Marko Livaja

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Canada

Manager: John Herdman

Goalkeeper: Milan Borjan

Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria

Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio, Atiba Hutchinson, Alphonso Davies, Richie Laryea

Forwards: Tajon Buchanan, Cyle Larin, Jonathan David

For the squad list of all the teams playing in the World Cup,?click here.

Morocco players celebrate their first goal in the match against Belgium on Sunday.

You might have thought the game was being played in Casablanca, not Doha.

The Al Thumama Stadium was bouncing in the 95th minute of Morocco’s game, and the fans had every reason to be gleeful.

Their side had just beaten Belgium – that side composed of European giants like Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne.

But more impressive was the ease with which it did so, keeping Belgium at arm’s length throughout.

And in front of a rapturous crowd, with friends and family singing and chanting at the top of their lungs, Morocco’s heroic players bathed in the adoration they so rightly deserved as the Atlas Lions leapfrogged Belgium to the top of Group F.

Fans celebrate Morocco’s win over Belgium on Sunday.

Morocco players and fans celebrate after Abdelhamid Sabiri scored against Belgium on Sunday.

That’s it! 2-0 Morocco against Belgium!

An outstanding result for Morocco as it wins its third ever match at a World Cup – one which sends it top of Group F after two games.

The North African nation had only previously claimed victories against Portugal in 1986 and Scotland in 1998, but this win against the No. 2-ranked country in the world is surely the best of the bunch.

Abdelhamid Sabiri’s goal set off Moroccan celebrations in the 75th minute, but Zakaria Aboukhlal put the cherry on top of a historic win in injury time.

What a World Cup!

Morocco’s Zakaria Aboukhlal celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal against Belgium on Sunday.

Wow! Another one for the North Africans! This time, it’s Zakaria Aboukhlal and, surely, that seals a massive, historic win for Morocco!

Morocco’s Abdelhamid Sabiri celebrates his goal against Belgium on Sunday.

Here we go! It’s a deserved goal for Abdelhamid Sabiri and Morocco as we head into the last quarter of an hour of the match. Let’s go!

Belgium’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois fails to block a shot on goal by Morocco’s Abdelhamid Sabiri.

US Soccer has changed Iran’s flag on its social media accounts to show support for the protesters in Iran, the federation told CNN on Sunday.

US Soccer said that it?wanted to change the official flag for 24 hours to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights” but always planned to go back to the original flag.?

The change “was a one-time graphic,” US Soccer told CNN. “We have the main flag on our website and other places.”

The emblem?from Iran’s flag is missing?on US Soccer’s?social media,?but the emblem is there on its?main website.

Iran state media reported Sunday that the United States should be kicked out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and suspended for 10 games for a “distorted image” of the country’s flag.

“By posting a distorted image of the flag of the Islamic Republic of #Iran on its official account, the #US football team breached the @FIFAcom charter, for which a 10-game suspension is the appropriate penalty,” Iran state-aligned Tasnim news agency?wrote?on Twitter on Sunday. “Team #USA should be kicked out of the #WorldCup2022.”

FIFA did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

The United States faces Iran on Tuesday in Group B action for a spot in the round of 16.

After yet another goalless half at the World Cup, Belgium and Morocco are back underway.

For Belgium, the scare at the end of the half could jolt it into life.

For Morocco, more of the same would suit it well, you’d imagine.

Morocco's Hakim Ziyech, not pictured, scores a goal against Belgium that was disallowed following review.

Unlike today’s earlier game, there have been glimpses of quality in this first half but with the same reward: no goals.

Kevin De Bruyne has looked the most threatening for Belgium, as the European team pile on the pressure, in particular from set piece.

Amadou Onana had the clearest opportunity to break the deadlock but his header from close range went flying over the bar.

Hakim Ziyech came closest for Morocco, but his ‘goal’ from a freekick was ruled out for offside on the stroke of half time.

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne and Morocco's Selim Amallah fight for the ball during the first half of their match on November 27.

There have been no goals in the opening 30 minutes but it’s a much better performance from Belgium so far, compared to its opening match.

Having looked poor against Canada last time out, its star players – from the Hazard brothers to Kevin De Bruyne and Michy Batshuayi – have looked much more slick this time out.

De Bruyne in particular has been central to all of the team’s good work so far, jinking past defenders and providing the main thrust for the side.

However, the score remains goalless and, with a crowd dominated by Morocco fans, the result is not certain for the European side.

Traveling to watch their team play at the?World Cup?took a little longer than usual for two French fans.

Mehdi Balamissa and Gabriel Martin decided the best way to travel from France to?Qatarwas on two wheels.

The friends spent three months traveling 7,000 kilometers (roughly 4,350 miles) by bicycle to reach Qatar 2022 and watch their beloved France defend its title.

The pair started their mammoth journey at the Stade de France in Paris, home of the French national team, and finished at the stunning Lusail Stadium, the venue that will host the final at Qatar 2022.

They would travel on average 115 kilometers per day, taking appropriate rest days when needed.

The idea came about after cycling from France to Italy to watch their country play in the UEFA Nations League last year and they wanted to test themselves with a much longer trip.

They hoped their trip would promote the benefits of sustainable travel and said they plan to offer cycling workshops to children from disadvantaged backgrounds when they eventually arrive home.

But first the pair plan on enjoying their time in Doha. After all, they’ve worked hard for it.

Continue reading here.

Morocco's Hakim Ziyech and Belgium's Timothy Castagne fight for the ball during their match on Sunday, November 27.

The match is underway!

There is pressure on both sides – Belgium and its ‘golden generation’ against Morocco and its need for points. So, the clash at the Al Thumama Stadium should be an intriguing one.

Morocco players huddle before the match versus Belgium on Sunday.

With a team peppered with stars – Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech leads the attack and it has two superstar fullbacks in Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui – Morocco is a team which could threaten any nation.

There are also some connections between the two teams as the Morocco squad includes four players – Ilias Chair, Anass Zaroury, Selim Amallah and Bilal El Khannous – who were born in Belgium.

But Morocco head coach Walid Regragui?has urged those with connections to Belgium to remain focused on the task at hand.

“For any dual national … they have a special emotion and that’s a positive energy and you have to draw on that,” Regragui told reporters, per Reuters.

“But it is a match that we need to win (irrespective) of who we are playing. We have to focus on that.

“We know that this is a special match for them, but we have to put that into context. You cannot get too emotional because that could lead you to make mistakes. And that could be very expensive for us.”

A win today for Belgium would seal its place in the round of 16, while a defeat for Morocco would make its chances of progressing extremely difficult.

Belgium fans cheer ahead of the match against Morocco on Sunday.

Now our attention turns to Group F and specifically the Al Thumama Stadium where Belgium faces Morocco.

Belgium began its campaign with an underwhelming 1-0 victory over Canada in its opening game of the tournament.

The team, which is packed full of stars, was far from its best – conceding a penalty, which was saved, and needing a Michy Batshuayi goal to scrape a victory – so will be anticipating a vast improvement against a Morocco side which drew 0-0 against Croatia last time out.

Although it showed effort and some glimpses of quality against the 2018 World Cup finalist, Morocco never really looked like claiming three points, but a point is a positive start to its campaign.

Belgium players huddle prior to their match against Morocco on November 27.

Belgium

Manager: Roberto Martínez

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Defenders: Thomas Meunier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen

Midfielders: Timothy Castagne, Amadou Onana, Axel Witsel, Thorgan Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne

Forwards: Eden Hazard, Michy Batshuayi

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Morocco

Manager: Walid Regragui

Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Roman Sa?ss, Noussair Mazraoui

Midfielders: Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah

Forwards: Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal

For the squad list of all the teams playing in the World Cup,?click here.

Japan's Takuma Asano reacts after losing to Costa Rica on Sunday, November 27.

The juxtaposed emotions of the Japanese and Costa Rican players on the pitch highlight the elation and despair tournament football can bring.

After the full-time whistle had blown, the Japanese players sunk to the floor in anguish, with some reduced to tears.

Those in the red and blue of Costa Rica also sunk to the ground, some reduced to tears, but for a very different reason.

After a humiliating result against Spain earlier this week, the team had to grind out a vital victory to regain some semblance of dignity and pride.

The team celebrated with a jubilant set of fans, who lived and breathed the nervy nature of the win.

It’s just gone 6am in Costa Rica, but some will surely be awake and celebrating what is a famous, redemptive victory.

Japan's Wataru Endo and Eiji Kawashima walk off the field after their match against Costa Rica on Sunday.

Costa Rica's Keysher Fuller celebrates after scoring against Japan on Sunday, November 27.

It wasn’t a classic but Costa Rica won’t care!

Los Ticos bounced back from being demolished 7-0 by Spain in its opening game to stun Japan 1-0 and remain in contention for the round of 16.

Keysher Fuller’s late left-footed effort, which came against the run of play, proved decisive. Japan huffed and puffed but failed to really test Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

With an opportunity to secure its place in the next round with a game to spare, it was a damp squib of an afternoon for the Samurai Blue.

It leaves Group E wide open with Japan, Costa Rica and Spain tied on three points and Germany on no points with the latter two facing each other later today at Al Bayt Stadium.

It’s all to play for still…

Japan's Kaoru Mitoma runs with the ball during the World Cup match between Japan and Costa Rica on Sunday, November 27.

With just a few minutes left and behind by a goal, Japan is pressing.

A huge scramble in the Costa Rica box ensues but it is able to hack the ball clear and hold onto its slender lead.

Costa Rica's Keysher Fuller scores against Japan on Sunday.

Costa Rica take the lead against the run of play!

Keysher Fuller’s curling effort finds the back of the net despite the fingertips of Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda getting to the ball.

It’s a goal that breathes life into Costa Rica’s World Cup campaign and shocks Japan, who had been hoping to qualify for the round of 16 with a victory today.

Messi battles Mexico's Uriel Antuna for the ball at Lusail Stadium on Saturday.

Argentina revived its World Cup hopes Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Mexico in front of a raucous crowd at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

The match was scoreless entering the second half, but it was 35-year-old superstar Lionel Messi who made a superb goal in the 64th minute to break the tie.

Enzo Fernández punctuated the victory with a second goal for Argentina just before the end of regulation.

La Albiceleste?was humiliated earlier this week when it threw away the lead to lose 2-1 to?Saudi Arabia?in its opening Group C match, immediately throwing the team’s contention into doubt.

With the victory, Argentina moves into a second place tie with Saudi Arabia in the Group C standings.

Now the team has a chance to decide its fate when it plays Poland on Nov. 30. A win can guarantee Argentina’s advance to the Round of 16.

CNN’s Homero De La Fuente contributed to this report.

After a quiet first half, Japan has ratcheted up the attacking pressure after the break.

Following the introduction of two new faces – Takuma Asano and Hiroki Ito – and a change of shape, Japan has looked much more threatening already, testing Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas a few times already.

However, despite the attacking efforts, the score remains goalless and the game remains in the balance.

If the score stays 0-0, Japan will move atop the standings with four points while Costa Rica will pick up its first point of the tournament to move off the bottom of the group ahead of Germany.

With Spain and Germany playing later today, Japan and Costa Rica’s fate will go down to the final round of fixtures.

Kylian Mbappé controls the ball during a match against Denmark at Stadium 974 on Saturday.

French superstar Kylian Mbappé scored two goals to lead the defending FIFA World Cup champions Les Bleus to a 2-1 victory over Denmark on Saturday in Doha, Qatar.

The victory means France will advance to the knockout stage.

Mbappé opened the scoring for France in the 61st?minute, burying a cross from Theo Hernandez into the back of the net. After Denmark drew the game level in the 68th?minute on a goal from Andreas Christensen, the 23-year-old Mbappé scored his second of the day in the 86th minute to seal the win.?

Saturday’s brace moves Mbappé into a two-way tie with Ecuador’s Enner Valencia (with three goals) in the World Cup Golden Boot race for most goals scored in the tournament.??

The Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappé joins Brazil’s Pele as the only players to score seven or more World Cup goals before the age of 25. His seven goals also move him into second place, behind Just Fontaine (with 13), on France’s all-time FIFA World Cup scoring list.?

With the victory, Les Bleus become the first team to clinch a berth to the Round of 16 and extend its win streak at the World Cup to a record six straight for the country.?

The teams are out and the game is back underway at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

After a poor first half – which a commentator on BBC radio described as the “worst 45 minutes of the World Cup so far” – we’re all hoping for an improvement.

Gerson Torres of Costa Rica is fouled by Yuto Nagatomo of Japan.

Well, that wasn’t a classic.

The first 45 minutes between Japan and Costa Rica yielded lots of endeavor and collisions, but failed to yield many moments of quality as it ended 0-0.

Costa Rica’s Joel Campbell has looked the most likely to pull a moment of magic out the bag, but his efforts have flown high and wide.

Let’s hope, after a drink and a chat with their respective managers, we see an improvement after the break.

Japan's goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda catches the ball during a match against Costa Rica at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Sunday.

It’s perhaps unsurprising that both team’s have begun with an onus on not conceding and not making mistakes.

Japan – having made five changes to the team that beat Germany – has looked lively on the break, without creating any real chances in the opening 25 minutes.

Costa Rica has had the lion’s share of possession, but has also failed to create any real openings.

Under the glaring Doha sun, with temperatures reaching approximately 91°F at kick off, it could be a case of one mistake making the difference.

The World Cup is well underway in Qatar, but issues surrounding LGBTQ rights for the Gulf state, world soccer governing body FIFA, teams and fans just won’t go away.

On Saturday, two German soccer fans told CNN that they were asked by security officials at Qatar 2022 to remove the rainbow-colored items that they were wearing as they made their way to watch the World Cup match between France and Denmark on Saturday.

CNN witnessed the conclusion to the incident at the Msheireb Metro Station, in Doha, as Bengt Kunkel, who was wearing a rainbow-colored sweatband and his friend – sporting a similarly colored armband – refused to hand over the items. The rainbow is a symbol of LGBTQ pride.

After taking the Germans to one side, a group of security guards eventually let them go – on condition that they put the rainbow-colored items in their pockets, according to Kunkel.

The pair refused to throw their items in the bin and said they told security they could call the police.

Kunkel and his friend were then allowed to walk down to the station platform where CNN accompanied them to the match. Kunkel’s friend said he didn’t want to talk to CNN.

Once outside Stadium 974, Kunkel put the rainbow-colored armband and wristband back on and walked through security.

CNN witnessed Kunkel being allowed through, though the 23-year-old German was again taken to one side.

Kunkel then told CNN he was stopped four more times before being allowed to take his seat inside the stadium wearing the rainbow-colored items.

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The OneLove armband is pictured ahead of a game between Belgium and Canada in Al Rayyan on Wednesday.

Soccer’s global governing body has found itself at loggerheads with seven European nations over the threat of sanctions for any player?wearing a “OneLove” armband?during games.

The eleventh-hour announcement from FIFA has created a rift between the governing body and the seven nations involved, although neither side has emerged free from criticism.

The “OneLove” armband – which features the outline of a heart striped in different colors – was intended to be worn by captains from England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and Wales at the World Cup to promote inclusion and display solidarity with people of different genders and sexual identities.

But hours before England captain Harry Kane was scheduled to wear the armband against Iran on Monday, FIFA said any player wearing the armbands would receive a yellow card, putting them in danger of being sent off or banned from a later game in the tournament.

FIFA regulations state that team captains must wear armbands provided by the governing body, even though it said it “supports all legitimate causes, such as ‘OneLove.’”

The debacle has rumbled on as a sideshow to the tournament itself.

While players like Kane didn’t wear the armband, Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib did as she talked to FIFA President?Gianni Infantino at the?World Cup game between Belgium and Canada?on Wednesday.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser also wore the armband as Infantino sat close by during her country’s 2-1 defeat against Japan.

In a joint statement, the seven European federations said they asked their captains not to wear the “OneLove” armband as they couldn’t “put players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions including bookings.”

But some former players believe it would have been a risk worth taking.

But others have questioned how much impact the gesture might have in Qatar, a country where sex between men is illegal and punishable by up to three years in prison.

“Conversations I’ve had with people from the LGBTQI+ community have already described that messaging as vague and lacking in a real statement in what it’s actually trying to achieve,” Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine told reporters.

One campaign group agrees.

“The ‘OneLove’ armband was nothing more than a token gesture,” Khya Gott, a representative for Pride in Football, told CNN Sport.

“It didn’t make the dramatic statements they wanted it to. Gestures from players are important, and very much needed, but only if they’re done correctly.”

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A Japanese fan clears rubbish from the stands during after a match against Germany at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.

The Japan team has already made an impact on the pitch – its 2-1 win over Germany was one of the World Cup’s biggest shocks.

But the Japan fans and players are also making an impact off the pitch.

After the team’s victory on Wednesday, FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, tweeted a picture of Japan’s dressing room which was left spotless after the players and the coaching staff cleaned up after themselves.

In the tweet, FIFA said: “After an historic victory against Germany at the FIFA World Cup on Match Day 4, Japan fans cleaned up their rubbish in the stadium, whilst the (Japan players) left their changing room at Khalifa International Stadium like this. Spotless.

“Domo Arigato.”

A follow up tweet showed some origami cranes which the players had left behind too.

I think we’re all Japan fans now, aren’t we?

The "Al Rihla" official match ball is seen prior to kick-off between Japan and Costa Rica at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Sunday.

We are underway in this crucial Group E match!

Will Japan advance to the round of 16? Or will Costa Rica rekindle its World Cup aspirations?

The next 90 minutes will prove pivotal.

Japan

Manager: Hajime Moriyasu

Goalkeeper: Shuichi Gonda

Defenders: Miki Yamane, Ko Itakura, Maya Yoshida, Yuto Nagatomo

Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Yuki Soma

Forward: Ayase Ueda

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Costa Rica

Manager: Luis Fernando Suárez

Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas

Defenders: Kendall Watson, óscar Duarte, Francisco Calvo, Bryan Oviedo

Midfielders: Keysher Fuller, Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Gerson Torres

Forwards: Anthony Contreras, Joel Campbell

For the squad list for all the teams playing in the World Cup,?click here.

Costa Rican players warm up prior to a match against Japan at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Sunday.

The first game today sees Japan face Costa Rica at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha.

The teams had differing fortunes in their opening round of fixtures in Group E, with Japan providing one of the shocks of the tournament by beating Germany. On the other hand, Costa Rica was thrashed 7-0 by Spain.

Knowing a win would send it through to the next phase of the competition, Japan enters the game full of confidence.

And with a final group game against Spain on the horizon, the Samurai Blue will want to head into that game with qualification already secured.

For Costa Rica, it could become the second team – alongside Qatar – to be knocked out if beaten today.

Los Ticos?have generally acquitted themselves well on the World Cup stage, the high point coming during that historic quarterfinal run at Brazil 2014, and manager Luis Fernando Suárez will be keen to prove that the Spain result was just a bad day at the office.