Two elimination matches are set for the 16th day of the tournament on December 5, 2022, the start of the third day of the knockout stages of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Japan has knocked off two football superpowers in the group stages of the World Cup in Qatar, paralyzing Germany and later Spain. Now, Japan sets its sights on a scrappy Croatian team, the 2018 World Cup runners-up, who have never lost a first-round match. At the World Cup, the two teams faced off against one another twice. At the 1998 World Cup, Croatia defeated Japan 1-0; they drew the next year in 2006.
Speaking of shockers, South Korea, a tournament wildcard, is attempting to upset five-time World Cup champions Brazil in their first knockout stage appearance in 12 years after a stunning 2-1 victory over Portugal.