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World Cup 2022 Day Eight: All the major action and talking points

Published 10:55 27 Nov 2022 GMT

Updated 11:21 27 Nov 2022 GMT

Niall McIntyre

World Cup 2022 Day Eight: All the major action and talking points

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Day 8! Here we go.

Day 8! It's hard to believe it that, already, we've done a full week of non-stop football at this World Cup. You'd think we'd be sick of it at this stage, what with games running off from morning to night, from Monday to Sunday, but, in all honesty, we're only getting going. Because the best is yet to come. The group stages are reaching a crescendo at this stage and, with the stakes rising, with the entertainment and the tension is all increasing, the excitement is only growing.

It's one of those days this Sunday. The tie of the day is undoubtedly the clash of European heavyweights Germany and Spain, which kicks off at 7.00 Irish time, but, as will be the case for the next three and a half weeks, there are eye-catching encounters throughout the day.

Japan had a huge win over Germany on Wednesday so it will be interesting to see if they can keep it up against Costa Rica this morning at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium. They had a great start in Group E but it's crucial that they take this opportunity today. Elsewhere, Belgium will be hoping to pick it up against Morocco in the 1.00 kick-off. They did beat Canada in Round One but, all around the team, they looked sluggish and off the pace. Meanwhile, in the other Group F clash, it's last chance saloon for Canada though you'd be expecting Poland to come out on top in that one.

Day seven was full of drama. For a long time, it looked like Argentina were in trouble but then, just like he's done so often throughout his career, Lionel Messi rose up to breathe new life into their challenge. Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, continues to grab this World Cup by the scruff of the neck for France. Their 2-1 win over Denmark was arguably the statement win of this tournament so far. But today, there's another day of action. And all we can do is sit back, and enjoy the magic.