Winners and Losers, Match Day 4

The fourth day of the FIFA World Cup brought more surprises and shock as four matches were played. Across these games, we saw everything, an entertaining goalless draw, a shock win, a proper thrashing by a top team, and a proper entertaining close win. The results of these matches have thrown the tournament wide open as some teams have strengthened their qualifying chances while others are hanging by a thread. 

So, we will bring you the recap of day four of the FIFA World Cup.

Winners- Japan, Spain

Japan pulled off a shock win of their own as they defeated four-time winner Germany 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium, overturning a 1-0 deficit with second-half goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano. This is the second consecutive defeat for the Germans at the FIFA World Cup, with their previous loss coming in the third match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Japan’s neighbours South Korea.

Germany started the match positively, executing their high press style to perfection. And their efforts were rewarded when they earned a penalty in the first half, which Ilkay Gundogan duly converted. Die Mannschaft continued to create chances and scored their second goal just before the first half ended, but the goal was ruled out as Kai Havertz was ruled offside. 

However, Japan were a changed side in the second half as they started to play on the counter-attack against Germany’s high defensive line. Japan were rewarded for their effort in the 75th minute when Ritsu Doan scored for the Asian team. That made the German nervous, who started to search for the winning goal. And Japan were ready for it as a long pass found Asano, who controlled the ball with a magical first touch before beating Manuel Neuer at his near post. 

Takumi Asano with a fine finish from a very tight angle

Germany 1-2 Japan

— Kelvin Owusu Ansah (@KelOwusu) November 23, 2022

Meanwhile, in the other match of the group, Spain put any doubts of a second shock win to rest by thrashing Costa Rica 7-0. Spain’s game was played immediately after Germany’s loss, and ‘La Furia Roja started the match on the front foot and raced to a 3-0 lead in the first 30 minutes. The 2010 champions were a level or two above the North Americans. 

It started as Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio added two goals in the 21 minutes. The Costa Ricans then conceded a penalty after Oscar Duarte brought down Jordi Alba inside the penalty box. Ferran…