Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar

Japan really have to win tonight to reach the last 16, a task made harder by the fact Spain need something from the game too.

Their fans don't seem to be feeling the pressure too much outside the stadium though.

Image source, BBC Sport

Janie Frampton has been a referee for the past 30 years and was the second female referee in the men’s professional game in England.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live she explains why Stephanie Frappart's appointment to referee Costa Rica v Germany is a “moment in time."

Frappart will be joined by assistant referees, Neuza Back and Karen Diaz Medina and together they will form the first all-female on-field officiating team in the history of the tournament.

“In all honesty I didn’t think I would see it," Frampton said.

"I think this signifies now that, going forward, we must make sure that referees are appointed on merit not appointed on their gender, to whatever that match may be whether it's a women’s match or a men’s match.”

"There is still a school of thought that says women shouldn’t be involved in football…but actually, they can.

“I’ve turned up for a game and they’ve said, ‘well why have they given a game of this magnitude to this woman,’ then afterwards they say, hey, well done, did well. It’s like I’m different, well I’m not…I’m as passionate about football and as experienced about football as the next person.

"This cannot be a tick box exercise. This is a moment in time that we have to build on and we have to take it forward and Stephanie, I have no doubt will have a fantastic game tonight."

Image source, Getty Images

Stephanie Frappart, 38, is set to make history as the first woman to take charge of a Fifa men's World Cup game, when Costa Rica face Germany in Group E.

The Frenchwoman debuted in the tournament as the fourth official for the Group C opener between Mexico and Poland. which ended 0-0.

She will be in familiar surroundings on the global stage, having been an official at the last two Women's World Cups.

It's an all female trio of match officials, as Frappart is joined by assistants Nuneza Back from Brazil and Karen Diaz of Mexico.

"We know there are some difficulties there for women," Frappart said. "But I think and I hope that this World Cup will help them."

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar

Image source, BBC Sport

Japan make five changes from the side that lost to Costa Rica as they go looking for the win they need to guarantee progress to the last 16.

Shogo Taniguchi comes in for Miki Yamane at right-back, and Junya Ito is restored to midfield. Ao Tanaka, Takefus Kubo and Daizen Meda, who all started the win over Germany here in their opening group game, are back and join Daichi Kamada in their front four.

Japan XI: Gonda, Taniguchi, Yoshida, Itakura, Nagatomo, Morita, Ito, Tanaka, Kamada, Kubo, Maeda.

Image source, BBC Sport

Gavi is fit enough to start for Spain and joins Pedri in midfield along with captain Sergio Busquets, who starts despite being one booking away from suspension.

But there are a host of changes elsewhere starting with Alvaro Morata, who has scored in both of Spain’s game’s so far, replacing Marco Asensio up front, and Nico Williams joining him up front.

And there are three new faces at the back, with Cesar Azpilicueta, Pau Torres and Alejandro Balde all coming into defence.

Spain XI: Unai Simon; Azpilicueta, Rodri, Pau Torres, Balde, Busquets, Pedri, Gavi, Nico Williams, Olmo, Morata.

Image source, Getty Images

Roberto Martinez ended his tenure as Belgium coach following the team's early exit from the World Cup.

The Spaniard, 49, was appointed in 2016 and was out of contract after the tournament.

Belgium, who claimed third place in 2018, went into the tournament as the world's second-ranked team.

But the Red Devils were eliminated after a dismal group stage, which saw them upset by Morocco and score just one goal.

"That was my last game. It was emotional as you can imagine," Martinez said after Belgium's World Cup exit.

They laboured to a 1-0 win over Canada in their opener and, knowing they had to win their last group game to reach the last 16, could only manage a 0-0 draw against Croatia.

Belgium topped the world rankings from September 2018 to March 2022.

Couple of important earlier matches to tell you about.

Morocco edged past Canada to top Group F and reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 36 years.

And Belgium were knocked out at the group stage as Croatia progressed at their expense following a goalless draw in Qatar.

Three changes for Costa Rica from the side that shocked Japan 1-0 as Francisco Calvo, Gerson Torres and Anthony Contreras move to the bench for Juan Pablo Vargas, Brandon Aguilera and Johan Venegas.

Keysher Fuller, who scored that goal against Japan, starts against the four-time champions.

Starting XI: Navas, Vargas, Waston, Duarte, Oviedo, Tejeda, Borges, Fuller, Campbell, Aguilera, Venegas

Image source, Opta

Just the one change for Germany, who managed a 1-1 draw against Spain last time out.

It's a more attack minded line up for Hansi Flick's side as former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane starts in place of defender Thilo Kehrer.

Jamal Musiala, who set up Germany's equaliser against Spain, starts while goalscorer Niclas Fullkrug could once again be called upon from the bench.

Starting XI: Neuer, Rudiger, Raum, Kimmich, Goretzka, Gnabry, Muller, Musiala, Sule, Sane, Gundogan

Image source, Opta

Can't remember just how things have got to this state in Group E?

Here's a quick recap.

Here's how things look in Group E, where all four teams can still progress.

Spain will win the group with a victory or a draw - as long as the other match also ends in a draw or a Germany win.

If Spain were to lose, Japan would win the group and the Spanish could still be eliminated. For that to happen, Luis Enrique's side would need to lose and Costa Rica beat Germany, or for Germany to win and overturn a goal difference currently eight worse than Spain's.

Japan will also finish in the top two if both matches end in a draw.

Costa Rica will be through if they beat Germany and will be group winners if Spain also draw with Japan. A draw for Costa Rica will only be enough to qualify if Spain beat Japan.

Germany are bottom but will qualify as runners-up if they win and Japan lose. If Japan draw, Germany may need to win by two goals as their goal difference is currently one worse than Japan's.

Group E (19:00 GMT) - live on ITV, with commentary on BBC Sounds & website/app

• Costa Rica v Germany
• Japan v Spain

Not that long ago it would be inconceivable that Germany would struggle to get to the knockouts of a World Cup.

But they failed to get out of the group stage in 2018 and now, in Qatar, they are in danger of a repeat.

They would be expected to get the job done against Costa Rica tonight, but there has already been plenty of twists and turns in these final round of group games, will there be more to come tonight?

Image source, Getty Images