FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE: Ilkay Gundogan gives Germany a 1-0 lead from the spot against Japan

18:47:43 IST

17′ Min: Germany 0-0 Japan

CHANCE! Rudiger manages to get on the end of Kimmich’s delivery from a corner but his header sails wide of the upright. Germany are knocking on the door here. 

18:47:41 IST

17′ Min: Germany 0-0 Japan

CHANCE! Rudiger manages to get on the end of Kimmich’s delivery from a corner but his header sails wide of the upright. Germany are knocking on the door here. 

18:46:44 IST

13′ Min: Germany 0-0 Japan

Jamal Musiala is already causing havoc down the left and his movement opens up space in the middle where Kimmich lets rip from outside the box but sees the shot blocked. 

18:42:41 IST

11′ Min: Germany 0-0 Japan

That was a lethal counter from Japan as they attacked the German goal with real purpose. Maeda really should’ve held his run and Germany can count themselves lucky to not be behind after that. 

18:41:46 IST

8′ Min – GOALLL BUT OFFSIDE!!! 

Lightening quick counter from Japan as Kamada steals the ball from Gundogan and then feeds a rampaging Ito who lays it on a plate for Maeda who in turn slams it into the roof of the net. But the flag goes up correctly with Maeda a yard off-side. 

18:35:45 IST

3′ Min: Germany 0-0 Japan

Some early signs of life from Japan as they attack down the right and earn a corner as Gundogan blocks out Ito’s cross. Nothing comes off the set-piece though as Germany clear their lines. 

  18:31:00 IST

KICK OFF! Germany get us underway with a long kick forward and Japan clear their lines with the ball ending up at the feet of the experienced Neuer. 

18:25:27 IST

The players are now on the field for the national anthems. We have Germany first followed by Japan. 

18:22:50 IST

Well the players are in the tunnel but will have to wait a little longer before taking the field as there’s a beautiful visual display at the Khalifa International Stadium with flags of both nations unfurled along with a light-show. 

18:15:18 IST

Four-time champions Germany, come into this tournament ranked 11th in the world and are heavy favourites ahead of this fixture. However, Japan have eight players in their squad who are based in Germany including Yoshida, Itakura, Ito, Endo, Tanaka and key man Kamada who all start today. 

Meanwhile there are five Bayern Munich players in the Germany line-up – Musiala, Neuer, Kimmich, Gnabry and Muller. 

18:04:52 IST

At just 19 years and 270 days, Jamal Musiala is the youngest German player to appear at a World Cup since 1958. Is the Bayern Munich youngster is ready to shine on the big stage? We’re not too far away from finding out! 

Musiala has 12 goals and 10 assists from just 22 games this season across competitions for Bayern.  

17:57:27 IST

ICYMI | Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi has spoken to the Press following his country’s 2-1 defeat Saudi Arabia, the second-lowest ranked team in the tournament. Messi has called for ‘Unity’ and urged his teammates to look forward towards Mexico but doubts have been raised about the fitness levels in the squad. Check out the full story here. 

17:46:09 IST

Germany vs Japan Team News: 19-year-old Jamal Musiala makes his World Cup debut

Germany Starting XI: Neuer, Raum, Rudiger, Suele, Schlotterbeck, Kimmich, Gundogan, Musiala, Muller, Gnabry, Havertz.

Japan Starting XI: Gonda, Sakai, Itakura, Yoshida, Ito, Nagatomo, Endo, Tanaka, Kubo, Kamada, Maeda.

17:31:36 IST

With the first match of the day between Croatia and Morocco done and dusted, we will soon shift our focus to the second match that kicks-off in an hour from now. The second match of the day will see Germany take on Japan at the the Khalifa International Stadium.

17:29:07 IST

The first match of the day between Croatia and Morocco played at  Al Bayt Stadium ends in a goalless draw! 

17:27:16 IST

FULL-TIME: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

That is that! The referee blows the full-time whistle to bring the match to an end. The 2018 finalists are held to a goalless draw. 

17:26:07 IST

90+4′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

The players from both sides now doing everything possible to keep the ball and score that match-winning goal. End-to-end stuff! Croatia have a free-kick. Modric take the free-kick but Morocco deal with the kick. The ball goes wide. One of the Croatia players kicks the ball but for no use. 

17:23:43 IST

90+2′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

Modric has played very deep in this match. Will he push forward deep in the added time to score a goal all by himself. Croatia has the ball but Morocco has the momentum. 

17:21:52 IST

90′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

As many as 6 minutes of added time at the end of 90 minutes. Morocco slightly on the front foot. Can  Croatia deal with this pressure? 

17:20:28 IST

88′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

This is nail-bitting stuff. The ball quickly changes possession. Neither team has the momentum. Morocco fans are delighted as they see their team nearing a draw. 

17:18:28 IST

86′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

We are now in the closing stages of this match with the match dead even. Will one of the players produce a moment of magic? Which of these two teams has now energy left in the tanks to give one final push. 

17:16:36 IST

84′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

Morocco manage to attack and they pierce the mid-field and take the ball inside the Croatia box. One of the Morocco players is about to shoot by the Croatia defenders deal with the threat. That was so close! 

17:14:56 IST

82′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

The crowd present inside the stadium looks to cheer the Morocco players in these final minutes of the match. Morocco players now realize that they are very close to taking at least a point away from this match.  

17:13:30 IST

80′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

Soon after the free-kick it is now Morocco’s turn to make changes. Two changes coming for Morocco.  Hamdallah and Sabiri come in as En Nesyri and Ounahi are called back.

17:10:12 IST

78′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

Croatia have a free-kick very close to the sideline. Modric and Majer are at the ball. Modric takes the free-kick but he sends the ball wide. There was no way to convert that free-kick into a goal. 

17:08:29 IST

76′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

Changes being made! A substitution for Croatia. Kovacic goes off and he is replaced by Majer. 

17:06:59 IST

74′: Croatia 0 – 0 Morocco

Croatia have the ball but what can do with the ball in front of such good defensive show put by Morocco? The cagey affair continues.