📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup | OneFootball

📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup | OneFootball

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Joel Sanderson-Murray·1 December 2022

📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

Belgium and Germany suffered shock exits while Japan and Morocco’s remarkable journeys continue.

Here are the best photos from day 12 at the 2022 World Cup.


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Germany may have beaten Costa Rica 4-2 but they were eliminated from the group stage for the second successive tournament.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

For a few moments at least, it looked as if Costa Rica were going to be heading through when they went 2-1 up …

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup
Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

But two goals from Kai Havertz and one from Nicklas Füllkrug ended what was a spirited display from Luis Fernando Suárez’s side.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

However, Japan’s victory over Germany has sent Hansi Flick and his men home.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

It was all going so swimmingly for Spain when they went in 1-0 ahead of Japan at half-time.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

Japan came out of the blocks firing in the second half, scoring two goals in three minutes to turn this group on it’s head.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

And one stage Spain were also heading out, but Germany’s win over Costa Rica ensured La Roja’s progression, but it was all about Japan tonight.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup
Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

After all that madness, it’s hard to forget that there were other games earlier on tonight, as Belgium’s journey ended after a goalless draw with Croatia.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to miss a string of huge chances, accumulating an xG of 1.90.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

Belgium are out, and Roberto Martinez’s time in charge of the Red Devils has ended after he announced his resignation post-match.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

But it was all smiles for Croatia.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

Morocco also sealed their progression into the last-16 for the first time since 1986 after beating Canada 2-1.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

Youssef En-Nesyri bagged the second.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

Morocco manager Walid Regragui might feel a little stiff tomorrow.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

While there was also history made tonight as Stephanie Frappart became the first women to referee a men’s World Cup match when she took charge of Germany’s clash with Costa Rica.

Article image:📸 Picture perfect: The story of matchday 12 at the World Cup

You can read how tonight’s results played out here.