Japan's high-pressing style which undid Germany had briefly unsettled Spain on a few occasions in the first half.

It's the first yellow card issued by a lady referee in the men's World Cup -- Stephanie Frappart is the umpire; Costa Rica's Oscar Duarte is the player -- and it all happened in the 76th minute of the match against Germany.

Germany came to Qatar with a leaky defence that had not kept a clean sheet in a competitive game

With the group standings flashing on the big screen of the Al Bayt stadium, Germany grew nervous with Musiala twice hitting the post early in the second half.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic admitted his team rode their luck against Belgium but said he was pleased with the way they controlled the match for large stretches.

Frappart's achievement was met with recognition, with Costa Rica manager Luis Fernando Suarez describing it as a step forward for women in a "sexist sport".

IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup F Group F match played between Morocco and Canada on Thursday.

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"We need to be emotionally strong and break our backs in this match. Of course, if Germany is knocked out, it would be a major thing and we would be proud to be responsible for that."

'Those of us who are older, who went through difficult times in Brazil and Russia, help the younger ones, with new energy.'

The 38-year-old Frenchwoman will be joined by Brazilian Neuza and Mexican Diaz as assistants.

"It is important to simultaneously monitor the other game because you can adapt your strategy a bit accordingly," said Mueller.

The 1-1 draw leaves Germany facing a must-win match against Costa Rica.

This was the first-ever World Cup goal for the 28-year-old right back, who plays for Costa Rican club Herediano.

'Against Spain we are going for the win and that's what we need to focus on'

Images from the FIFA World Cup Group E match between Japan and Costa Rica on Sunday.

"Will Germany be more dangerous because they need the win more? You never know in football," Luis Enrique said.

Germany's players, however, must not only process their first ever loss to Japan, they are also under fire back home for their handling of a diversity armband affair

Inaki and Nico Williams encounter contrasting fortunes at the World Cup.

But their inability to close out the game proved costly, allowing Belgium to claw their way back into contention with two goals in five minutes before Nacer Chadli's injury-time winner capped the most thrilling game of the 2018 finals.

Gavi scored Spain's fifth goal in the 74th minute with a sumptuous volley in off the post after a floating cross from Alvaro Morata.

But just over half an hour into the game at the Al Thumama Stadium, the Costa Ricans had already been blown away and were 3-0 down after goals from Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio and a Ferran Torres penalty.

IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup Group E match played between Spain and Costa Rica on Wednesday.

'The players have been playing in Germany and Europe they've learned so much from that, so we held on'

Images from the FIFA World Cup Group E match between Germany and Japan on Wednesday.

"I think a comparison with Messi is something like an honour," Musiala told a news conference.

Spain and Costa Rica are playing in Group E along with Germany and Japan.

Valencia, who was taken off for the last 15 minutes of Sunday's Group A game, has had a decade-long career in the Ecuador side, starting off as a winger but being converted to a striker in the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.

Werder Bremen's Niclas Fuellkrug made his Germany debut at the age of 29 this week, scoring the winner in their warmup match against Oman on Wednesday after coming on as a substitute.

'We know how to differentiate between when it's family and when we are manager and player'

Moukoko won a surprise call-up this month after having scored six goals in the league for Borussia Dortmund.

'They're young, but they're first-team players, important and with a lot of responsibility'

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It was Spain's first competitive win in Portugal since 1934