Japan – with Sporting’s Hidemasa Morita in the starting line-up – defeated Spain 2-1 on Thursday and qualified for the round of 16 as leader of group E.
The match was – just like the group, which Costa Rica caught on – full of emotions. Spain started winning, with a goal from Álvaro Morata, in the 11th minute. But the first big chance even came from Japan, in the 8th minute, by Junya Ito, who shot wide.
But the excitement was reserved for the second half, with Japan going from eliminated (Germany won and second in the group) to leading in three minutes. The first goal came in the 48th minute by Ritsu Doan, and in the 51st minute it was Tanaka’s turn to score, in a controversial move as it is not clear whether or not the ball went out in front of the cross that scored the goal scored. .
In the closing minutes, Spain attacked and put pressure on Japan, but the result did not change.
View all goals here
0-1, Alvaro Morata (Spain), 11 minutes
Morata! Tag the Spaniards #sporttvportugal #MUNDIALnaSPORTTV #World Cup #Qatar2022 #sagres #Japan #Spain pic.twitter.com/VLddY4Ueb3
– SPORTTV (@SPORTTVPortugal) December 1, 2022
1-1, Ritsu Doan (Japan), 48 minutes
2-1, Ao Tanaka (Japan), 51 mins
AWESOME! BRAND JAPAN IN A DOUBLE DOSE
⚽ Follow the entire World Cup on SPORT TV#sporttvportugal #MUNDIALnaSPORTTV #World Cup #Qatar2022 #sagres #Japan #Spain pic.twitter.com/RTovOmhEXW
– SPORTTV (@SPORTTVPortugal) December 1, 2022
VIEW GAME STATISTICS HERE.
Source: DN
