FIFA World Cup 2022: Such a shocking victory for Japan in the World Cup. After beating Germany in the team’s opener, Japan advanced to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Thursday (December 1) with a 2-1 win over Spain – the same scoreline as last week. Despite the loss, Spain progressed and knocked Germany out of the tournament.
Japan scored twice early in the second half to beat another European powerhouse and reach the knockout stages of their second consecutive World Cup. This is the first time Japan has made it past the group stage in back-to-back tournaments. “For Asia and Japan, our wins against Spain and Germany, two of the top teams in the world, gave us great confidence.
And we are very happy,” said Japan coach Hajime Moreau. can win on stage.” Ao Tanaka scored the winning goal from close range early in the second half. It took nearly two minutes for video review officials to determine the ball was out of bounds before Japan scored at the Khalifa International Stadium in Japan’s shock opener against Germany.
Players from both teams were shocked when the goal was announced and the Japanese started running toward their bench again to celebrate with their teammates. “I think the ball was clearly half-out from my angle, but I couldn’t see it because of the speed,” Tanaka said. “I just focused on scoring. It was always a chance to be out… but in the end, it was a goal so it was great.
Japan, who topped Group E, will next face Croatia. Spain will face Group F winners Morocco. Spain and Germany – who beat Costa Rica 4-2 in the same match – both have four points in the group. But Spain has the better goal difference. Group standings improved in both matches. Costa Rica defeated Germany at one stage. If that result had stood, Costa Rica would have eliminated Spain.
Spain coach Luis Enrique said that he did not know that Costa Rica was winning at one stage. If he had known this, he would have had a heart attack. Alvaro Morata scored for Spain in the 11th minute and the 2010 champions were in control until Japan rallied after half-time. Ritsu Dan equalized in the 48th with a left-footed shot from outside the box and Tanaka added a second three minutes later.
Luis Enrique said Spain had “entered collapse mode”. “In those five minutes we lost control completely. We were nervous,” Luis Enrique said. “If they had to score more goals, they could have done it. They flew past us. Morata became the first Spanish player since Telmo Jarra in 1950 to score in the team’s first three matches at the World Cup. In the match against Germany, Spain defeated Costa Rica 7-0 and drew 1-1.
Japan lost their second match to Costa Rica and was eliminated by Belgium in Russia four years ago. The Japanese have never made it past the round of 16 at a World Cup. By finishing second in the group, Spain could avoid facing Brazil in the quarter-finals and Argentina in the semifinals. “There is nothing to celebrate,” Luis Enrique said. “I’m not happy. We want to be first with a win.”
The coach said he was surprised to see Japan’s second goal confirmed by VAR. He said that he was shown a photo of the ball crossing the boundaries. “The photo they showed me was essentially altered,” Luis Enrique said. “That’s the only explanation.”
