Spain will not take Japan lightly and will play to win despite leading World Cup Group E following their 1-1 draw against Germany on Sunday, coach Luis Enrique said.

Germany's late equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Spain in the World Cup on Sunday could turn out to be the spark they need to qualify for the knockout stage and turn things around in the tournament, coach Hansi Flick said.

Germany gave themselves hope of avoiding another early World Cup exit when they snatched a 1-1 draw with Spain as substitute Niclas Fuellkrug fired home an 83rd minute equaliser that cancelled out Alvaro Morata's opener.

Alphonso Davies netted Canada's first goal at a men's World Cup but it was Croatia, spearheaded by a brace from Andrej Kramaric, who came away with an impressive 4-1 Group F win on Sunday that ended any hope of the North Americans advancing while keeping their own alive.

After Neymar left the pitch injured against Serbia in Brazil’s opening World Cup game and shed tears on the bench, it reflected his helplessness more than anything else.

Morocco jeopardised Belgium’s World Cup hopes as Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal’s late goals secured a surprise 2-0 triumph in Doha on Sunday.

Lionel Messi dropped off from Mexico’s midfield marker and just stood there for an instance, standing quite a few metres from the top of the box, as he usually does. Only a nuanced eye would know that he is waiting for Julian Alvarez to push the centre-backs just a little bit more before he almost willed Angel Di Maria pass onto his feet. This is the nearest distance to goal that his countrymen could find him with a pass and with Argentina’s World Cup hanging on the line, Messi did the impossible.

France have shaken off the curse of the defending champions at the World Cup by qualifying for the knockout phase with a game to spare, and it is largely due to Antoine Griezmann’s return to his best.

When all hope seemed to have faded for Argentina, a familiar figure from Rosario stepped up yet again. Lionel Messi saved the day for his side for the umpteenth time in his illustrious career and, backed by Enzo Fernandez’s golazo sealing victory, millions of Albiceleste fans in Bangladesh lived to fight (not to be taken as a cue or an invitation) another day. However, Argentina’s two moments of sheer magic should not paper over their cracks by any means.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, hailed as a tactical mastermind after the victory over Germany, was left with egg on his face on Sunday after Costa Rica produced a similarly stunning upset to blow World Cup Group E wide open.

Niclas Fuellkrug’s late equaliser snatched Germany a morale-boosting 1-1 draw with Spain in a heavyweight World Cup clash on Sunday, leaving both sides’ hopes of qualifying for the last 16 still in the balance.

Canada manager John Herdman said on Saturday his team was fired up for a test against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia after the Canadians fell to Belgium 1-0 despite outplaying them.

Substitutes Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal earned Morocco their first World Cup victory in 24 years as they upset a hugely disappointing Belgium side 2-0 in World Cup Group F on Sunday.

Portugal players idolise Cristiano Ronaldo, with many saying it is a "dream" to play with him, but young forward Goncalo Ramos joked on Saturday that he wouldn't accept a piece of chewing gum from his compatriot.

Spain could be given a taste of their own medicine when they take on Germany in a potentially decisive clash at the World Cup on Sunday because both European heavyweights seek to control games by dominating possession, Spain coach Luis Enrique said.

Japan squandered an opportunity to advance early to the World Cup last 16 after Keysher Fuller's goal 10 minutes from time gave Costa Rica a surprise 1-0 win in a match in which they had barely any chances.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez will be looking for a vastly improved performance from his side when they take on a resolute Morocco in their second World Cup Group F fixture at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday, where victory will seal a round of 16 place.

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has warned the Belgian-born players in his squad to stay focused when they face Roberto Martinez's men in the World Cup on Sunday, saying they risk costly mistakes if they get emotional on a "special" occasion.

A shirtless Lionel Messi sang and danced with team mates beyond midnight into Sunday after leading Argentina to an emotionally-charged win over Mexico that revived his dream of a first World Cup title.

Few would have given Japan much chance of getting out of a group that included Germany and Spain when the World Cup draw was made but a win over Costa Rica on Sunday would leave Hajime Moriyasu's side on the brink of the last 16.