MAHLATSE MPHAHLELE IN QATAR | Group E is going down to the wire

The dynamics of the group are complicated but the team with the clearer chance of qualifying is Spain, who take on Japan in their final game.

Sunday's 1-1 draw leaves at Al Bayt Stadium leaves Germany propping up the bottom of Group E but still in with a chance of progressing to the next round. They have to beat Costa Rica and hope Spain defeat Japan to be certain of reaching the last-16.

Spain coach Luis Enrique will rely on key players like Jordi Alba and Dani Carvajal in the defence. In the midfield, the likes of Rodri, Olmos Dani, Pedro and Pedri will have to be at their best. Among the forwards, it remains to be seen if Enrique will persist with Marco Asensio and Ferran Torres.

German coach Hansi Flick will be under pressure in their last match to get a favourable result and avoid the embarrassment of being eliminated in the group stages. Players like Manuel Neuer, Antonio Reudiger, Kimmich Joshua, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry and highly impressive youngster Jamal Musiala.

Elsewhere on Thursday, Morocco take on minnows Canada looking to progress to the next round in Group F. Morocco, who stunned Belgium at the weekend, go into Thursday's clash sitting second behind Croatia and above Belgium and Canada.

* Mahlatse Mphahlele is in Doha as a guest of SuperSport.

* All the World Cup groups, fixtures and results here

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