Japan pulled off one other historic World Cup upset as a vastly controversial purpose noticed them come from behind to beat Spain 2-1 and declare prime spot in Group E, with Luis Enrique’s aspect needing purpose distinction to advance as runners-up forward of Germany.
Spain have been completely dominant within the first half on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium and seemed set to advance in first place after Alvaro Morata headed residence his third purpose of the match (11).
Nevertheless it all modified in a rare spell after half-time as substitute Ritsu Doan equalised with a shot from the sting of the field (48) and Ao Tanaka accomplished the turnaround from a Kaoru Mitoma cut-back which initially appeared to have gone out of play (51).
A prolonged VAR test adopted the purpose, however it sensationally dominated in favour of Japan, the total curvature of the ball not deemed to have crossed the road, leaving Spain, listless within the second half regardless of their earlier dominance, to sweat on their place within the final 16.
At one level, when Costa Rica went in entrance of their 4-2 loss to Germany, Spain have been heading out together with Hansi Flick’s aspect, however in the long run their superior purpose distinction, because of their 7-0 win over Costa Rica of their opening recreation, ensured they snuck via to knockout levels on the expense of the Germans.
Spain will now face Morocco within the final 16, whereas Japan, who additionally got here from behind to beat Germany however misplaced to Costa Rica in a exceptional group-stage marketing campaign, will tackle Croatia.
The controversial winner in photos
The ball gave the impression to be over the road earlier than Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma lower it again to Ao Tanaka for the second purpose
Mitoma was assembly a Ritsu Doan cross on the byline
VAR dominated in favour of Japan, saying the curvature of the ball had not crossed the road
How Japan surprised Spain
Earlier than all of the drama of the second half, there was a very serene first interval for Spain, with Morata’s towering header from Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross placing them in full management.
Morata had different alternatives, one from a Nico Williams cut-back and one other from a Dani Olmo cross, however the one-goal margin seemed adequate given Spain’s full dominance of possession.
What adopted, although, surprised everybody watching, with Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu, whose substitutions turned the sport in opposition to Germany, once more utilizing his bench to devastating impact.
The equaliser got here after a poor go from goalkeeper Unai Simon induced Spain to lose possession deep in their very own territory, permitting Doan to unleash a strong effort from the sting of the field which Simon received palms to however couldn’t cease.
Then, one other substitute made a decisive, and in the end vastly controversial, contribution as Mitoma reached a cross on the byline and lower the ball again for Tanaka to bundle residence from shut vary.
Alvaro Morata scored the opener along with his third purpose of the World Cup
The on-field officers initially dominated the purpose out, deeming the ball to have gone out, and regardless of preliminary replays showing to again them up, VAR dominated that it ought to rely, an aerial view later displaying the ball had the truth is not absolutely crossed the road.
Spain seemed completely shell-shocked from then on, struggling to create clear probabilities as big drama unfolded within the different recreation between Germany and Costa Rica.
At one level, Spain gave the impression to be crashing out, however Germany’s restoration ensured they remained in second place with a purpose distinction of six to the Germans’ one.
Japan completed the sport with simply 18 per cent of the possession, the bottom share by any profitable crew at a World Cup since information started in 1966, however the victory, on a breathless evening, in the end despatched them via to the knockout levels for a second consecutive finals.
Neville and Souness query profitable purpose
Sky Sports activities’ Gary Neville questioned why tv audiences weren’t proven all of the angles of Japan’s profitable purpose afterwards.
He advised ITV: “The excessive cam that’s on the road does counsel that there could be a few of the ball over the road.
“However from that very first offside purpose, Ecuador vs Qatar in recreation one, I’ve struggled with it somewhat bit that we have not been given the proper angles, it simply would not really feel proper.
“Within the Premier League we see all of the VAR cameras, right here we do not.”
Japan’s Ritsu Doan, left, celebrates with teammate Kaoru Mitoma
Sky Sports activities’ Graeme Souness added: “The longer they do not present an image that reveals conclusively reveals that it did not exit of play, you are pondering one thing untoward is happening.
“There are 80 million Germans proper now going mad, ready for an image that reveals that ball did not exit of play.
“Germany is just not a small footballing nation. Why would you create confusion and never wish to clear it up instantly?
“Why are FIFA not displaying us one thing that’s so controversial?
“Why aren’t they displaying it to us? Clear it up for us, please.”
What does the result mean?
Japan end prime of Group E with six factors, which means they are going to face Group F runners-up Croata within the final 16 on Monday, with kick-off at 3pm.
Spain end second on 4 factors, forward of Germany on purpose distinction, and can face Group F winners Morocco within the final 16 on Tuesday, kicking off at 3pm.
Costa Rica end backside of Group E on three factors and, like Germany, exit the competitors.
Japan the comeback kings – Opta stats
- Japan have progressed to the knockout rounds in consecutive World Cup tournaments for the primary time, whereas they’ve completed prime of their group for the primary time since 2002.
- Japan have turn out to be the third crew in World Cup historical past to be dropping at half time and are available again to win two matches in a single version, after Brazil in 1938 and Germany in 1970.
- Japan had simply 18 per cent possession in opposition to Spain, the bottom share of the ball for a profitable crew in a World Cup match since information started in 1966.
- Three of Japan’s final 4 targets on the World Cup have been scored by substitutes, as many as they’d scored by way of subs of their first 20 targets within the competitors.
- Alvaro Morata scored his ninth purpose in simply 13 appearances at main tournaments for Spain (World Cup and Euros). Solely David Villa (13 in 16 apps) has scored extra such targets for the nation.
- At 25 years 98 days previous, Spain began with their youngest XI in a World Cup match since their 3-1 defeat to France within the spherical of 16 in 2006 (24y 321d).
