JAPAN have finished top of Group E at the World Cup after beating Spain.
Alvaro Morata kept up his impressive goal scoring form for Spain, powering a header into the back of the net after a cross from Cesar Azpilicueta.
However, Spain were unable to hold onto the lead as Ritsu Doan fired Japan level with an impressive goal, cutting in on his left foot to fire past Unai Simon.
And Japan took the lead just moments later, with VAR giving the goal after the linesman deemed the ball to have been out of play in the build-up.
Therefore, Japan qualified from Group E top of the table, with Spain finishing second despite Germany’s victory over Costa Rica.
- Kick-off time: 7pm UK
- TV channel: ITV 1 in UK
- Live stream FREE: ITV X
- Japan team: Gonda, Itakura, Yoshida, Taniguchi, Junya Ito, Morita, Tanaka, Nagatomo, Kamada, Maeda, Kubo.
- Spain team: Simon, Azpilicueta, Rodri, Pau Torres, Balde, Gavi, Busquets, Gonzalez, Williams, Morata, Olmo.
- Group E LIVE table
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That’s all from Qatar!
Japan have done the unthinkable and beat both Spain as well as Germany to top Group E and make it to the 2022 World Cup Last 16 where they will face Croatia.
The Furia Roja also made it through in second place despite their 2-1 loss at the Khalifa International Stadium and will face Morocco in the knockouts.
The Spaniards dominated the first half and opened the scoring after just 12 minutes when Cesar Azpilicueta”s cross found the unmarked Alvaro Morata who headed the ball past Suichi Gonda.
But the Samurai Blue completed a sensation comeback in the second half – and it all started on 48 minutes.
Ritsu Doan beat Unai Simon with a stunning long-range shot after Alejandro Balde gave the ball away.
And Japan turned things around just three minutes later with a controversial goal.
Kaoru Mitoma was deemed by VAR to have saved the ball from going out for a free-kick and turned it around to Ao Tanaka who scored in front of open goal.
Japan managed to hold on, despite Spain dominating a whopping 82 per cent of possession, and thus eliminated Germany for the second World Cup in a row.
That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a great night!
Credit: Getty More angles of winning goal
Japan’s winning goal wasn’t without controversy as VAR had to intervene.
At first, Ao Tanaka’s winner was ruled out because it was deemed the ball went over the line and it was a free-kick for Spain.
However, VAR decided that Kaoru Mitoma managed to cross before the whole of the ball went out.
You be the judge:
Tanaka vs Spain
Japan star Ao Tanaka stood out against Spain in what proved to be a historic match for his country.
Tanaka scored the winner and was among the key players who helped the Samurai Blue complete their stunning qualification to the 2022 World Cup’s Round of 16.
Here’s how the midfielder fared against the Furia Roja:
So what’s next?
Japan and Spain are through to the 2022 World Cup Last 16 and they both know their opponents.
The Samurai Blue did the unthinkable and won Group E, which included the Furia Roja and Germany who are out of the group stage for the second time in a row.
The Japanese are now set to face Croatia, whereas the Spaniards will clash with Morocco.
Spain will want to bring their A game this time around as the Atlas Lions also carry a major scalp after eliminating Belgium
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Word from the ground
Here’s what SunSport’s man on the field Jordan Davies thinks of Japan’s stunning triumph:
Luis Enrique spent his pre-match press conference talking about permutations.
Instead, his team left him with serious heart palpitations as Japan sprung yet another stunning World Cup upset to top Group E – and almost dump Spain OUT in the process.
A relaxed Enrique admitted pre-match he had considered tactically trying to finish second in this group, in order to avoid Brazil and secure an “easier” route to the final.
It ended up that way by accident, but it looked as though those plans had been tossed in the bin with a fine first half performance to leave the football purist drooling.
Jordan Davies
Updated Group E table
Japan did the impossible and made it out of a group that included Spain and Germany.
And the Samurai Blue made it to the 2022 World Cup Round of 16 in style as they finished top of Group E.
Spain follow them to the knockout stages in second place whereas Germany are eliminated in the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup.
More below:
Japan vs Spain stats
Spain dominated a staggering 82 per cent of possession and still lost to Japan.
The Furia Roja registered 12 shots, five of which were on target following a hapless second half.
The Samurai Blue, on the other hand, produced six shots, half of which were on target.
More below:
FT: Japan 2-1 Spain
Japan have picked up another major scalp in the 2022 World Cup with a 2-1 win over Spain and punched their ticket to the Last 16.
The Furia Roja dominated the first half and opened the scoring after just 12 minutes when Cesar Azpilicueta set the unmarked Alvaro Morata up with a wonderful cross that saw the striker head it past Suichi Gonda.
But the Samurai Blue completed a sensation comeback in the second half that started on 48 minutes.
Ritsu Doan beat Unai Simon with a stunning long-range shot after Alejandro Balde gave the ball away and the goalkeeper couldn’t hold on to it.
And Japan turned things around just three minutes later when Kaoru Mitoma saved the ball from going out for a free-kick and turned it around to Ao Tanaka who scored in front of open goal
Credit: Getty FT: Japan 2-1 Spain
Peep!
That’s full-time in Qatar!
90+5 Japan 2-1 Spain
Chance
Spain star Olmo tries a desperate long range shot, which lacks power and precision.
Totally off the mark!
90+5 Japan 2-1 Spain
Just to make sure you’re all up to speed, if Spain score Japan are out and Germany are through.
Two more minutes to go…
Incredible game by Yoshida who is everywhere at the back and has kept Spain at bay almost single handed
90+3 Japan 2-1 Spain
Unfortunately for Germany, Spain have seriously slowed down…
They still control possession and tempo but they aren’t doing anything with it
90 Japan 2-1 Spain
Seven stressful minutes of stoppage time left for Japan.
Moriyasu’s men are so close they can taste it! But they have pulled deep!
Spain know they aren’t getting eliminated as Germany lead 4-2 against Costa Rica
90 Japan 2-1 Spain
What a chance!
Spain come extremely close to an equaliser that would make German fans explode not too far away!
Olmo breaks from the right and tries a shot from close distance but it’s saved by Gonda
87 Japan 2-1 Spain
Substitution
Japan manager Moriyasu brings on Endo who replaces the hero of the night Tanaka
87 Japan 2-1 Spain
As it stands, Germany need Spain to score to go through as second.
The drama! You can’t make this up!
85 Japan 2-1 Spain
Uh-oh, Germany have turned things around and 3-2 up after Havertz’s second of the night!
That means Japan are first, Spain second, Germany third and Costa Rica last
83 Japan 2-1 Spain
Chance
Japan deliver a free-kick from the left and Itakura gets the header but the ball goes straight to Simon’s arms
80 Japan 2-1 Spain
Japan have pulled back and are defending like they did before Morata’s opener.
Spain are the ones holding possession and pushing, something they could indeed regret…
Germany can still win and Spain can equalise…
78 Japan 2-1 Spain
Spain seem to have finally found a bit of themselves from the first half.
The Furia Roja hold on to the ball with some accurate passing, but Japan are closing spaces well and that doesn’t allow them to get that final pass through
75 Japan 2-1 Spain
Spain are still trying crosses from the wings but Morata is not there to use his height and jump above everyone else for the header.
Enrique’s men will have to keep the ball low, it seems
73 Japan 2-1 Spain
Hold the phone!
Germany have equalised with Havertz! Germany and Costa Rica are 2-2!
That means Japan are first, Spain second, Costa Rica third and Germany last.
The Costa Ricans’ joy didn’t last long
72 Japan 2-1 Spain
Oh my days! Wild, WILD scenes!
Costa Rica have come back against Germany and lead 2-1 thanks to Duarte’s goal!
That means Japan are first, Costa Rica second and Spain as well as Germany are out!
70 Japan 2-1 Spain
Chance
Another explosive counter-attack by Japan, Mitoma delivers a low cross from the left and Doan tries a sliding shot but misses the target
68 Japan 2-1 Spain
Substitution
Japan manager Moriyasu responds with a change of his own as Arsenal’s Tomiyasu comes on for Kamada
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
