It's the second round of games in Groups E and F, with Japan looking to build on their fabulous win over Germany, who themselves know that a defeat to Spain could see them make a group-stage exit at a successive World Cup.
Canada won a lot of admirers despite their loss to Belgium, but now must get something from their clash with Croatia.
As for the Belgians, it's a meeting with Morocco, and a chance to seal a last-16 berth.
All of the action is live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, with 12 hours of uninterrupted coverage beginning at 9.30am.
They called it the ''Miracle of Doha' after Japan stunned Germany on Wednesday and now the Samurai Blue stand on the cusp of reaching the last 16. You'd have to fancy them, in that Costa Rica, despite Spain's brilliance, were so off the pace in their opening match.
The Spanish put together 994 completed passes. compared to 166 for the Central American side, a stat made even more stark by the latter's 18% possession and the fact they were the first team in 32 years not to have a shot at goal at a World Cup finals.
We thought the days of the whipping boys at the men's tournament were over. Those of a certain vintage will remember Hungary 10-1 El Salavador in 1982. More recently we had the Germans thumping hosts Brazil 7-1 in 2014, but you could glean there was something freakish about that outcome.
After the high of the win over Germany, Japanese fans still time had time to clean up after themselves, while the team left their dressing-room spotless inside the Khalifa Stadium.
In Japan, cleanliness is a part of the culture and is drilled into people from early childhood
Hajime Moriyasu's side will now look to make another favourable impression in Qatar.
"Their spirit and their work-rate was absolutely unbelievable. It was one of the best performances that I've seen in a World Cup," remarked Liam Brady after they saw off the Germans.
They went in 1-0 down at half-time, it could have been two or three but they kept themselves in the game.
"The coach said 'let's push up’ and they all pushed up, they put the Germans under pressure, the Germans couldn’t handle it, the Japanese were fitter, they ran more and they absolutely deserved it.
"It was one of the best second half performances I’ve ever seen."
High praise indeed!
Japan have injury concerns (hamstring) over defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Hiroki Sakai Tomiyasu, who plays for Arsenal, replaced Real Sociedad forward Takefusa Kubo at half-time on Wednesday last. Sakai had suffered a left hamstring injury the night before the game.
It would not be telling a lie to say that Belgium were somewhat fortunate to bag all three points against Canada. A golden generation that's not so golden any more. Kevin De Bruyne was somewhat perplexed at being named man of the match. "I don't think I played a great game. I don’t know why I got the trophy. Maybe it’s because of the name," he said afterwards.
Indeed, defender Toby Alderweireld and De Bruyne were seen in a heated argument around when to play long balls during last Wednesday's match. Boss Martinez played down the row and insists there is no rift between the two.
"We should not try to create an issue where there is not one," he said. "You have two experienced players that have played over 70 games together for the national team. They are both winners and they really want to perform well."
The Belgians will now be looking to up their performance against a Morocco side that played out a scoreless draw against Croatia in their opening game.
Hakim Ziyech is the player that Morocco will again look to for inspiration. The Chelsea man looked good early on against the Croats, although much of his good work lacked an end product.
Walid Regragui's side did have appeals for penalties waved away early in the second half after Sofiane Boufal's shot appeared to hit Dejan Lovren's arm, seconds before Noussair Mazraoui's header was saved by the Croatian keeper.
Romelu Lukaku is again unlikely to feature for Belgium, despite his return from a thigh injury being ahead of schedule.
Moroccan defenders Achraf Hakimi and Mazraoui have knocks and will be assessed before the game.
Rankings (do they really mean anything?) meant nothing last Wednesday night as the 41st-ranked team in the world were more than a match for the side ranked No 2. In fact, Canada were more than valiant against Belgium. Who knows what would have happened if Alphonso Davies had converted from the spot in the 10th minute?
According to the stats brain-trust Opta, the Canadians' 14 shots on goal in the opening was the most without scoring in the first half of a World Cup match since England mustered 17 against Trinidad and Tobago in 2006.
Belgium, for their part, conjured up four in the opening 45 minutes. Crucially they made one count when Michy Batshuayi goaled just before the break.
Canada, in their first World Cup finals game in 36 years did a lot of things right against Roberto Martinez's side, just that final ball lacked precision in the opposition penalty area.
Their English-born manager John Herdman was proud of their effort afterwards, when saying: "It has been a long time since we have been back, our fans were football fans, they really tried to own the stadium tonight.
"They (the fans) walked away proud I'm sure, proud and feeling like we are a footballing nation. We came into the game with a couple of goals, the first was to play fearless and the second goal was to entertain.
"We had some other goals - to create some firsts, but we never got to those moments. I think at times it was one pass too many around the box. I'm not going to criticise them because when you outshoot Belgium I can't complain too much.
On facing the Croats, he was even more bullish: "We are coming up against a team like Croatia with a midfield three to die for. People will come into the next game respecting us a bit more and knowing what we are about. We've got a big effing game coming up against Croatia and we deserve to be here."
That's what he told reporters. In the on-field huddle after the game, Herdman said to his players: "F***k Croatia - a comment that hasn't gone down well with the 2018 runners-up.
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic said he felt disrespected by the comment at his pre-match press conference.
"Canadians must have respect for us and this way of putting words together is not a sign of respect," Dalic said through an interpreter.
"We are the runners-up (2018 World Cup); it wasn't Brazil or Spain or any other country. We are the runners up, we were second in the world, we are worth of respect the way we played, the way we behave, the way we respect all others is the reason we are worthy or respect."
In response to his comments, one Croatian tabloid have put a naked mock-up image of Herdman on the front page, covering his manhood with a Canadian flag in the shape of a maple leaf. The front page was also accompanied with the slogan: "You have the mouth, but do you have the balls as well?"
Dalic will be hoping that it's the type of back and forth that will get his side revved after a less than inspiring showing against Morocco, where goalmouth chances were at a premium.
Queen and David Bowie combined to have a hit with 'Under Pressure' some 40 years ago. "Pressure: pushing down on me" is the opening line and you wonder is that how Hansi Flick and his German side are feeling ahead of their clash with Spain. At least they know after Costa Rica's win over Japan that they are still in the competition even if they lose this evening.
Germany, the proud footballing nation, we don't associate them leaving the party before it's really got going. Flick took over from Joachim Löw; qualification for Qatar was achieved with little fuss, but they didn't pull up too many trees in the Nations League, mustering seven points from 18.
It's not too long ago that Spain, in the Nations League 2020-21, put five past the Germans.
Germany for 60 minutes were in control against Japan and then somehow lost their way, losing in the end 2-1. Flick turned up to the pre-match conference on his own, no player by his side at the media centre in Doha. It may result in a fine from Fifa, but I'm sure he won't mind if they still have something to play for against Costa Rica on Thursday.
The discussion prior to the tournament had focused on whether coach Hansi Flick would deploy a natural centre forward, but Germany's overall weak second-half performance against Japan would indicate that maybe the depth in the squad is not there. No golden generation coming through, it would seem.
On the other hand Spain's prospects look brighter. Gavi, who became the country's youngest ever World Cup player at the age of 18, is one of those bright lights that could see Luis Enrique's side go deep in this competition, and that's just for starters. Gavi found the net against Costa Rica; a thumping 7-0 win for the 2010 winners.
Costa Rica were shocking, and that's putting it kindly. But Enrique warned overconfidence could cause Spain's downfall when they face the Germans.
"We tried to manage that victory with all normality. We got the three points, that's it.
Ferran Torres got two against Costa Rica
"It was a resounding victory that fills us with confidence, but we shouldn't have too much confidence. We are facing an opponent, Germany, against which we cannot be overconfident otherwise they will hammer us.
"We have a very smart squad, smart enough to know that we have to respect our opponent, and we will have to give it our all. It's a great challenge."
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