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.

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Stephanie Frappart of France is set to become the first female referee to officiate a men’s FIFA world cup match, taking charge of the Germany vs. Costa Rica match. The 38-year-old will lead an all-female refereeing team for the Group E match of the World Cup, including Brazil’s Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz Medina. This is also the very first time all the officials in a World Cup match will be officiated by an all-female team, making her a part of a historic achievement of women’s inclusion in the sport.

Stephanie Frappart will become the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match after FIFA announced on Tuesday that she will take charge of Thursday's Group E match between Germany and Costa Rica. 

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu says that European football is the global gold standard but he has urged his players to believe in themselves and suggested a score needs to be settled when they take on Spain in their final Group E match at the World Cup.

Morocco will play to win against eliminated Canada in their final World Cup Group F match on Thursday to fly the African flag high even though a draw would be enough to send them through, coach Walid Regragui said on Wednesday.

Germany veteran Thomas Mueller said his side would “stay humble” with their World Cup group stage exit in 2018 fresh in their minds ahead of Thursday’s must-win clash with Costa Rica.

Rumours of Belgium’s demise are greatly exaggerated, Croatia’s head coach Zlatko Dalic said as he prepares his side for Thursday’s decisive Group F showdown.

Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez said Wednesday the appointment of Stephanie Frappart to referee his team's crucial clash with Germany was a major milestone in a "sexist sport".

Luis Enrique said Spain will not count their chickens before they are hatched when they face Japan on Thursday, aiming to win and qualify for the World Cup knockout phase.

Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard had said the current generation would be forgotten about if they fail to make the last 16 of the World Cup but he may be having a rethink after fans showed their appreciation for his side despite their exit on Wednesday.

An Iranian man was shot dead by the security forces after celebrating when the United States eliminated his country's national team from the World Cup, rights groups said Wednesday..Iran was knocked out of the World Cup by its arch enemy the United States in Qatar on Tuesday night, drawing

Lionel Messi believes Diego Maradona would be "super happy" after he led Argentina into the World Cup last 16 on Wednesday thanks to a 2-0 win over Poland.

As Argentina claimed its decisive 2-0 World Cup victory over Poland, thousands of fans were erupting in celebration on a grassy field in Bangladesh early Thursday.

Lionel Messi's Argentina beat Poland 2-0 in their final World Cup Group C match at Stadium 974 in Doha on Wednesday to advance to the knockout stage where they will face Australia.

Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in World Cup Group C on Wednesday but fell agonisingly short of reaching the last 16 on goal difference.

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved a Lionel Messi penalty as Argentina dominated the first 45 minutes of their World Cup Group C clash at Stadium 974 but have nothing to show for it with the halftime score 0-0.

Lionel Messi may be making his last World Cup appearance in Qatar but the talismanic forward is still capable of spurring Argentina to a third World Cup title, his compatriot and former Paris St Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

Enzo Fernandez was rewarded for his World Cup goal against Mexico with his first-ever start for Argentina as manager Lionel Scaloni made four changes to face Poland on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi had a penalty saved but Argentina still advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup as Group C winners after a 2-0 victory over Poland on Wednesday.