Germany forward Thomas Mueller said his country's exit from the World Cup at the group stage for the second tournament in a row on Thursday was an "absolute catastrophe".

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez is out after the Red Devils' exit from the World Cup on Thursday.

Japan erupted in cheers and tears after the national team's 2-1 win over Spain early on Friday, with crowds packing public viewing areas in the pre-dawn cold shrieking with joy as they stunned another global football power at the World Cup.

Germany were knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage for a second consecutive time despite a 4-2 win over Costa Rica on Thursday after the four-times champions were consigned to third in Group E following Japan's victory over Spain.

Japan staged their second stunning turnaround of the World Cup when they beat 2010 champions Spain 2-1 on Thursday with two quick-fire goals and advanced to the last 16 along with their beaten opponents.

France's Stephanie Frappart made history on Thursday when she became the first woman to take charge of a men's World Cup finals game during Costa Rica's Group E match against Germany.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 has reached its peak with the showpiece event heading towards the business end -- the knockouts.

I spent most of yesterday’s article worrying about the mayhem that would ensue in Bangladesh if Argentina were knocked out on Wednesday night. In hindsight, my concerns were misplaced. Not only did they qualify with aplomb, the other three teams seemed hell bent on getting themselves disqualified.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said it was “madness” for his team to play their World Cup last 16 game against Australia with just two rest days after their last group match.

Spain staggered through to the World Cup last 16 on Thursday despite a 2-1 defeat by Japan, who remarkably won Group E on a rollercoaster night which saw four-time champions Germany eliminated.

Morocco powered into the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in 36 years on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over eliminated Canada.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said his team would leave the World Cup with their “heads held high” despite being dumped out in the group stage after a goalless draw with Croatia on Thursday.

Clenched teeth, head lowered. That is how Lionel Messi returned to the dressing room after his first-half penalty was saved by Wojciech Szczesny. If that is how things had ended, it could have been Messi’s last World Cup game. But his team had other ideas.

Uruguay’s Luis Suarez refused to apologise to Ghanaians on Thursday for his role 12 years ago in their biggest World Cup setback, arguing it wasn’t his handball that denied Ghana a quarter-final winner but their missed penalty that followed.

Croatia reached the last 16 of the World Cup after a tension-filled 0-0 draw with Belgium on Thursday that ensured the last hurrah of the Belgian 'golden generation' ended in a dismal group-stage exit.

Two first-half goals set Morocco on their way to top place in World Cup Group F but they had to hold on for a 2-1 win over Canada at the Al Thumama Stadium on Thursday after conceding an own goal that kept them nervous through the second half.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos said that Cristiano Ronaldo's availability is still in question for their closing Group H match against South Korea on Friday.

No wins in their opening two matches, including a 2-1 shock against Japan, have left Germany reeling at bottom of Group E, meaning they must win against Costa Rica and then rely on 2010 champions Spain to beat Japan in order to remain in contention for qualification.

You might be a great fan of football. A lot of people are; it’s the most popular sport on the planet for a reason, but players are even more ardent fans of the game and it’s no shocker. For us it’s a game, a thing to love. For them, it’s so much more. For the players, it’s a lifestyle. So, it’s no wonder that players love to celebrate their victories. Here are a few ways that players celebrate their victories and achievements.

Wounded Germany will have their backs to the wall when they take on Costa Rica in their final World Cup Group E match on Thursday and know they must bag their first win of the tournament, preferably by a large margin, to have any chances of advancing.