World Cup 2022, Day 16: Round of 16 knockout games continue

Japan will face Croatia earlier than Brazil performs South Korea on the third day of knockout-round matches on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group E - Japan v Spain.
Japan's Ritsu Doan celebrates after their match towards Spain as Japan qualifies for the knockout phases on December 1, 2022 in Qatar [Jennifer Lorenzini/Reuters]

The third day of the Qatar 2022 World Cup’s knockout phases will get beneath manner with two elimination video games scheduled for the sixteenth day of the match on December 5, 2022:

  • Japan vs Croatia (Al Janoub Stadium, 6pm/15:00 GMT)
  • Brazil vs South Korea (Stadium 974, 10pm/19:00 GMT)

Japan fans celebrate outside the stadium after their match against Spain.
Japan followers rejoice outdoors the stadium after their match towards Spain that noticed the Japanese facet qualify for the knockout phases of the World Cup match [Issei Kato/Reuters]

Japan vs Croatia

Within the upset-filled World Cup in Qatar, Japan has toppled two soccer superpowers within the group phases — paralysing Germany and later Spain — and now units their sights on a scrappy Croatian squad, the 2018 World Cup runners-up, who've by no means misplaced a primary knockout-stage sport.

Croatia, match favourites who've already netted two attracts and a win to safe their spot within the Spherical of 16, might want to include the speedy and devastating tempo of the Samurai Blue on Monday night.

Croatia's Mateo Kovacic in action with Belgium's Yannick Carrasco
Croatia’s Mateo Kovacic (centre) in motion towards Belgium at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar, on December 1, 2022 [Stephane Mahe/Reuters] (Reuters)

Japanese centre-back Kou Itakura is suspended from the sport after selecting up two yellow playing cards. It might be Croatian skipper and Actual Madrid midfielder Luka Modric’s last sport of his profession if the small however mighty Adriatic nation can't overpower an unpredictable Japan.

The 2 groups have performed one another twice on the World Cup. Croatia slipped previous Japan 1-0 within the group phases of the 1998 World Cup; they later drew in 2006.

Brazil vs South Korea 

Talking of upsets, South Korea, a match wildcard and scorching off a dazzling 2-1 win over Portugal, head into their first knockout-round look in 12 years with their backs towards the wall as they try to sink five-time World Cup champions Brazil.

Neymar
Brazil’s Neymar at Lusail Stadium in Qatar on November 24, 2022 [File: Dylan Martinez/Reuters]

 

Every thing, nonetheless, is at stake for the top-ranked Brazilian facet who coasted into the final 16 with wins over Serbia and Switzerland.

Brazil may have a lift of firepower from Neymar, who was sidelined for 2 video games after sustaining an ankle damage towards Serbia; the staff struggled with out him of their 1-0 loss to Cameroon.

Neymar practised with the staff in Qatar on Saturday and Sunday.

Monday’s sport at Stadium 974 would be the first World Cup contest between the 2 sides although Brazil have bested the Taeguk Warriors in six of seven pleasant matches — their most up-to-date coming throughout a 5-1 victory in June.

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