Japan came from behind to beat Spain 2-1 and qualify for knockout stage from Group E of 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.
Along with Japan, Spain also qualified despite losing to Japan. The breathtaking 2-1 win for Japan – which also beat Germany 2-1 after going behind in its opening match of the tournament – meant it topped Group E, followed by Spain in second which finished ahead of third-placed Germany only on goal difference.
Japan will face Croatia in the last 16 while Spain will meet Morocco.
For Japan, Ritsu Doan in 47′ and Ao Tanaka in 50′ scored the goals while for Spain, Álvaro Morata scored in 11′.
Ao Tanaka goal underwent a lengthy VAR check but stood as the referees found the ball to not have crossed the touchline.
The ball was delivered from the right side of the field and Kaoru Mitoma got behind it. The ball, however, seemed to have crossed the touchline, and gone out of play, before the Japan player stopped it.
A VAR check which followed ruled that the ball had been stopped before it entirely crossed the line.
Japan Starting XI: Shuichi Gonda (GK), Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Yuto Nagatomo, Takefusa Kubo, Hidemasa Morita, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Ao Tanaka, Maya Yoshida, Daizen Maeda
Spain Starting XI: Unai Simon (GK); Azpilicueta, Rodri, Pau Torres, Balde, Busquets, Pedri, Gavi, Nico Williams, Dani Olmo, Morata
Picture Courtesy: FIFA Media
