The Japanese team won first place in Group E of the 2022 World Cup in Russia after beating Spain 2-1. The Spaniards, despite the defeat, remain in the competition due to goal difference in relation to Germany, who also added four points in the group stage, after beating Costa Rica 2-4.
The Spaniards opened the scoring in minute 11, through Álvaro Morata, but, at the beginning of the second half, Ritsu Doan, in minute 48, and Ao Tanaka, in minute 51, were the heroes of the Japanese comeback.
A few kilometers away and at the same time, at the Al Bayt Stadium, Spain was still, for a few minutes, in a position to be eliminated, when Costa Rica made it 2-1, but ended up saved by the Germans, winners. of the match with goals from Serge Gnabry, at 10 minutes, Kai Havertz, at 73 and 85, and Niclas Füllkrug, at 89.
For Costa Rica, who, if they had won, would have qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup, midfielder Ieltsin Tejeda signed for Costa Rica, in minute 58, and defender Juan Pablo Vargas, in minute 70. Costa Ricans and Germans too They were marked by the debut of a referee, Stephanie Frappart, as head of a refereeing team at a World Cup.
In qualifying, Japan added six points, against six for Spain and Germany, the Spanish being the best in goal difference (9-3 against 6-5), and three for Costa Rica. The Germans had already missed the ‘eighth’ in 2018.
Japan faces Croatia in the round of 16, while Spain meets Morocco.
Source: TSF
