japan stun Spain 2-1 to book place in World Cup

Doha : Japan finish as winners of World Cup Group E, while Spain squeak through to the round of 16 on goal difference.

Japan scored twice early in the second half to come up from behind and spain 2-1 and then advance to the round of 16 of the World Cup.

Alvaro Morata scored first for Spain in the 11th minute at the Al Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday, but Japan rallied after halftime. The Spanish striker rose highest to head a cross home, scoring his third goal in the tournament.

Ritsu Doan equalised in the 48th minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box just minutes after coming on as a substitute at halftime, and Ao Tanaka added the second one from close range a few minutes later.

It took about two minutes for video review officials to confirm the ball had not gone out of bounds before the goal.

Japan finished top of Group E, with Spain finishing second on goal difference – consigning Germany to elimination, despite a 4-2 win over Costa Rica on Thursday.

It was a dramatic finale to the group with qualification within sight for all four teams in the final stretch of both games.

In the second half, Costa Rica took the lead  against germany a result that would have meant elimination for Spain, who were losing to Japan. But the Germans were quick to equalise and retake the lead.

With the clock ticking down, Japan seemed safe until Germany made it 4-2 against Costa Rica. A late Spanish goal could have sent the Japanese from first to third place in the group. But the Samurai Blue managed to hold on and weather waves of Spanish attacks.

 By the end of the game, Spain had 82 percent possession, completing 1,058 passes compared to Japan’s 228. But the Japanese were simply more clinical, and Japan’s coach Hajime Moriyasu’s substitutions in the second half, including bringing on Doan, proved decisive.

Japan had also shocked Germany 2-1 in its Group E opener at the same venue.

Next week, Japan – who have never progressed beyond the first knockout round – will meet Croatia in the round of 16, and Spain will take on Morocco. Even before the game, it was pointed out that Spain may be better off as second in the group to avoid a potential quarter-final against Brazil.

The World cup continues on Friday with the final day of the group stage to settle Groups H and G. With qualification on the line, Ghana will take on Uruguay in a highly anticipated rematch of their dramatic meeting in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals.

Japan staged their second stunning turnaround of the World Cup to beat 2010 champions Spain 2-1 on Thursday to surge into the last 16 along with their beaten opponents and dump Germany out in one of the greatest nights for the Samurai Blue.

Staring at the prospect of an early World Cup exit at half-time, Japan set up a round of 16 clash with Croatia - the beaten finalists in 2018 - while Spain had to rely on goal difference to edge out Germany. They now face Morocco.

Japan's turnaround was built on coach Hajime Moriyasu's revamp of his side at the break when they were losing 1-0.

On came Ritsu Doan and within three minutes he hammered in a shot from the edge of the box which Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon - whose poor clearance had created the danger in the first place - could not keep out.

With Japan's noisy travelling fans barely catching their breath, Ao Tanaka scored from point-blank range in the 51st minute, bundling the ball in after the other halftime sub Kaoru Mitoma cut the ball back from the byline.

 

The VAR system took several minutes to confirm the ball had not gone out before Mitoma's touch. Replays suggested that a sliver of the ball had not crossed the line and the verdict sparked wild celebrations similar to the scenes that followed Japan's 2-1 comeback win over Germany last week.

"We played against Spain, one of the best teams in the world and we knew before the game that this was going to be very tough and difficult, and indeed it was," said Moriyasu whose side lost to Costa Rica in their second match in Qatar.

"The players conceded one goal, but they persisted and in very difficult circumstances, they did very well," he told reporters.

 

Spain had looked in total control in the first half but suddenly they were the ones clinging to their chance of staying in the World Cup as Costa Rica and Germany battled out their own drama in the other Group E match.

Germany won 4-2, a margin of victory that was not big enough to keep them in the tournament.

Alvaro Morata had put the Spaniards ahead when he scored his third goal in three games in Qatar, rising above Japan's defence to power a header past goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda in the 11th minute after a cross by his former Chelsea team mate Cesar Azpilicueta.

In the dying minutes, winger Dani Olmo came closest to a leveller but his angled shot was easily gathered by Gonda.

The breathtaking win for Japan meant they topped Group E, followed by Spain in second who finished ahead of third-placed Germany only on goal difference.

Japan fans were in tears at the end of the match which gives them a chance to go further than they ever have before at a World Cup. Japan have previously reached the last 16 on three occasions and lost each time.

"There were many fans who came all the way from Japan, as well as those that stayed behind in Japan," coach Moriyasu said. "We are gifting this win to the people of Japan and we are very happy about it."

Spain coach Luis Enrique, who made five changes to his starting side to give first-choice players a rest, was far from happy.

"We didn't have any danger in the first half, then in the second half, I told them during halftime to be cautious, because they would attack in the second half, they don't have anything to lose," he said. "I have nothing to celebrate."

Japan defender Kou Itakura was shown his second yellow card of the tournament and will be suspended for the Croatia match.