The Beautiful Game, Beautifully Told

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FT

Japan stun Spain to reach round of 16 on top

FT
Japan completed a spectacular second-half comeback to defeat Spain 2-1 and advance to the World Cup quarterfinals as group winners on Thursday. As a result of Germany's victory over Costa Rica in Group E's other match, Spain joins Japan…

Germany repeat 2018 with group stage exit

FT
Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2 with two goals from Kai Havertz on Thursday, but Spain's loss to Japan in the other Group E match eliminated the four-time champions from the World Cup before the round of 16. Germany finished third in the…

Morocco advance to round of 16 as group champions

FT
Morocco defeated already-eliminated Canada 2-1 on Thursday to win World Cup Group F and advance to the round of 16 for the first time since 1986. Morocco, which required a win or a draw in their final Group F match to go to the knockout…

Dominant Argentina march to last 16 as group winners

FT
Argentina and Lionel Messi dominated Poland 2-0 on Wednesday at the World Cup to win Group C and move to the last 16 at Stadium 974 in Qatar. Alexis MacAllister and Julian Alvarez scored second-half goals for Argentina, who were stunned…

USA edge Iran to reach last 16

FT
The United States advanced to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup after defeating Iran 1-0 on Tuesday at Al Thumama Stadium to finish second in Group B and clinch a last-16 meeting against the Netherlands. In the 38th minute,…

Rashford stars as England breeze past Wales to last 16

FT
Two goals from Marcus Rashford and one from Phil Foden helped England to a 3-0 win over Wales on Tuesday and a place in the 2022 World Cup knockout stage. Gareth Southgate's team dominated the first half but struggled to convert until…