Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar

We've had bin bags, a light show... and now it's time for the anthems.

Image source, BBC Sport

Everyone else as excited as this lot?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar

I'd say there's fractionally more Spain fans here than there are for Japan but I'll be honest with you, I haven't done an exact count.

They are all making lots of noise as we wait for the teams to emerge, but most striking are the large group of Japan supporters behind one goal who have inflated the blue bin bags they use to clear the ground up after full-time and are waving them around in a frenzy.

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I suspect Japan's chance of progressing may have disappeared with their defeat by Costa Rica. Even a draw here might not be enough to send them through, and I certainly don't see them beating Spain.

I don't see there being many goals, but Spain have played the best football in the tournament and been the most eye-catching side, and they should be too strong.

Spain's style will suit Japan, who like it when teams take the game to them, and they might get chances on the break, but it is going to be hard for them to get anything from this game. This has been a brilliant group from the start, but I don't see any late twists.

Prediction:1-2

Andrew: Spain look very likely to win Group E and get a pathway to the semi-final that includes Croatia and most likely Brazil… Germany could come 2nd in Group E and get a path to the semi-finals of Morocco and then most likely Portugal… Will we see any skulduggery later?

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Spain may only need a point to be certain of progressing but coach Luis Enrique is not focussing on anything other than getting the win.

"Don't write Costa Rica off, they can win against Germany," he said.

"Any of the four nations can still go through and that is very telling.

"We are here to win seven matches. We want to be winners of this group."

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar

Image source, BBC Sport

Japan obviously face a tough task tonight but at least they are in the right stadium to pull off a shock win – this was also the venue for their superb win over Germany in their first game in Group E.

This is not a 'home' game in the same sense as Argentina enjoyed against Poland last night, roared on by thousands of their fans, but there are still plenty of Japanese supporters here hoping for a repeat performance.

Things have fallen kindly for Germany and their route to the last 16.

They are lucky to still be in with a shot of making it, but I think they will make the most of their opportunity and wipe the floor with Costa Rica.

Germany have got some good attackers and although they are vulnerable at the back, they should win comfortably.

Prediction: 0-4

BBC Radio 5 Live

Remember you can listen to full match commentary of Japan v Spain with updates from Costa Rica v Germany on BBC Radio 5 Live this evening.

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Alvaro Morata has scored in both of his appearances for Spain at the 2022 World Cup - his first two games ever in the competition.

Only one player has ever scored in his first three World Cup appearances for Spain - Telmo Zarra in 1950.

Through to the last 16:

Group A: Netherlands, Senegal

Group B: England, USA

Group C: Argentina, Poland

Group D: France, Australia

Group F: Morocco, Croatia

Group G: Brazil

Group H: Portugal

Who can still go through:

Group E: Spain, Japan, Costa Rica, Germany

Group G: Switzerland, Cameroon, Serbia

Group H: Ghana, South Korea, Uruguay

Who is out:

Group A: Ecuador, Qatar

Group B: Iran, Wales

Group C: Mexico, Saudi Arabia

Group D: Tunisia, Denmark

Group F: Canada, Belgium

Sameer Hashmi
Middle East business correspondent, reporting from Dubai

The immense volume of shuttle flights undermines the organisers' pledge to minimise flying during the tournament, Khaled Diab, of advocacy group Carbon Market Watch, says.

"One of the rationales for having so many stadiums concentrated in a small geographical area was to help reduce emissions related to air travel," he says.

But Qatar has defended its decisions.

A spokesman for the World Cup Organising Committee says its shuttle service has enabled "efficient direct flights to and from the Fifa World Cup in Qatar".

"Direct flights are significantly more carbon effective than flights with stopovers," he says. "At the same time, because of the compact nature of the tournament, domestic flights will not be taken by fans."

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This World Cup has been a nightmare for making predictions because who would have expected Japan to beat Germany and then lose to Costa Rica?

That means they face a tough task to make certain of their place in the last 16, likely needing to pull off another shock win against Spain.

"I would like the players to play well so they can increase their value in the eyes of the Japanese people and I hope we can impart hope when they look at our games and our play," said coach Hajime Moriyasu.

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

Image source, Getty Images

The unthinkable could happen again.

Germany remain in real danger of being dumped out of successive World Cups at the group stage, after failing to win either of their first two games for the first time since 1938.

Japan's shock 1-0 defeat by Costa Rica on Sunday spared Hansi Flick's men their earliest ever exit, but the four-time champions now know they need to beat the Costa Ricans on Thursday, and hope Japan don't beat Spain.

A potential exit has been branded "a disaster times 10", and would leave the future of boss Flick, and the direction of the nation's game, shrouded in uncertainty.

When former Bayern Munich boss Flick was appointed national team coach in August 2021, Germany had just been knocked out of the Euros by England.

Predecessor Low stepped down as planned after 15 years and Flick was given the task of rebuilding the national game, declaring at the time "our aim is to return to the pinnacle of the game".

It all started pretty well, with seven wins from seven bringing simple qualification and, despite mixed Nations League results, the mood of the nation was fairly optimistic heading into the tournament.

But that mood has quickly soured, with a slow start to this tournament meaning they have just two wins from their past 10 matches.

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Germany manager Hansi Flick doesn't sound like a man under pressure does he?

Speaking prior to the game the 57-year-old said: "We want to kill off the game early so as to pile pressure on the other group game. They (Costa Rica) will be defensive most likely.

"We need to do it and we have to have the attitude we showed against Spain."

Costa Rica have had only one shot on target in their two matches so far but it was enough to score the winner against Japan.

"When you look at the table Costa Rica have a chance to reach the round of 16. A draw, and a win for Spain, is enough for them to advance," Flick added.

"I expect from Costa Rica a defensive performance as they did it against Japan." We have to find solutions against that. I think it would show a lack of respect to Costa Rica to talk about scoring eight goals. We will be happy if we win it and that is our aim. We want to try to decide it for us from the start. But to come back from that 7-0 and deliver such a defensive performance against Japan deserves respect."

"We have the qualification not entirely in our own hands but what is pressure?... I feel no pressure. Not after the game against Japan either. I am convinced we are on a good path."

ORK: That was quick, interesting to see if Martinez comes back to club management and where he ends up. Is he still a top division manager?

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Keysher Fuller scored from Costa Rica’s very first shot on target at this World Cup against Japan, after more than 184 minutes of football played (including added time).

If he hits the back of the net today he would become the fourth Costa Rica player to score more than once at a single World Cup edition after Bryan Ruiz in 2014, Paulo Wanchope in 2006 and Ronald Gomez in 2002.

Image source, Getty Images

Manuel Neuer is making his 19th appearance at the World Cup today, becoming the goalkeeper with the outright most appearances in the history of the competition.

The 36-year-old has appeared in the last four tournaments helping Germany lift their fourth World Cup in 2014.

Will he get to 20 appearances? We shall soon find out.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Al Bayt Stadium

It's quite simple for Germany. They have to win or they leave Qatar.

Hansi Flick's side showed real spirit to come from behind to earn a draw against Spain and now have the chance to recover from an opening game shock defeat to Japan to make it out of the group into the knockout phase.

Germany will have the confidence they will be able to complete the task in front of them but Costa Rica can see the last 16 too so this might be a tense evening.

Pursuitofthetruth: How is Japan not starting Mitoma??Really don’t get it. Been their most threatening player when he came on. Tearing it up in the PL. Up to the coach I guess, but utterly baffling