Friday’s FIFA World Cup diary — your guide to today and tomorrow

posted in: Events

Here’s what’s happened today at the FIFA World Cup — and what’s happening tomorrow.

Belgium and Germany are on their way home after failing to get through to the round of 16, while Japan and Morocco were surprise winners of their respective groups.

Games played on Friday December 2, 2022

Group F

Croatia 0
Belgium 0

Canada 1 (own goal 40′)
Morocco 2 (Zlyech 4′, En-Nesyrl 23′)

Group E

Japan 2 (Doan 48′, Tanaka 51′)
Spain 1 (Morata 11′)

Costa Rica 2 (Tejeda 58′, Vargas 70′)
Germany 4 (Gnabry 10′, Havertz 73′, 85′, Füllkrug 89′)

Games to be played on Saturday December 3, 2022

Ghana and Uruguay meet for only the second time, with their first encounter a dramatic 2010 World Cup quarter-final that the South American side won 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, Ghana having missed a spot kick in the final minute of extra time.

Portugal became the third team to book their round-of-16 berth – after France and Brazil – when they overcame Uruguay 2-0 on Monday night. Beaten in just one of their last 14 World Cup group fixtures (W8 D5), they will clinch top spot in Group H by avoiding defeat against Korea Republic, who can only qualify as runners-up on goal difference and must beat Portugal to have any chance of doing so.

The group stage draws to a close with an all-European showdown between Serbia and Switzerland in Group G. If already-qualified Brazil do not lose to Cameroon in the section’s other final fixture, Serbia will advance to the round of 16 with a victory, while a draw will suffice for Switzerland, who will also secure progress with a win regardless of the result in the other game.

Victorious without conceding in their opening two matches, Brazil have already secured progress from the group stage for the 14th successive tournament and will clinch first place in Group G if they avoid defeat against Cameroon, who can only join Brazil in the round of 16 by beating them and obtaining assistance from elsewhere.

Group H

Ghana v Uruguay
Al Janoub Stadium, 4am (NZT)

Korea Republic v Portugal
Education City Stadium, 4am (NZT)

Group G

Serbia v Switzerland
Stadium 974, Doha, 8am (NZT)

Cameroon v Brazil
Lusail Stadium, Lusail, 8am (NZT)

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