Luis Enrique’s team exited the group stage with a 2-1 loss to Japan, yet still advanced to the round of 16 because Germany defeated Costa Rica.
What happened was unexpected. After a dazzling 7-0 opening win, the result tilted in ways no one forecast. Spain moved on to the knockout rounds thanks to goal difference—Germany’s win against Costa Rica sealed the deal.
La Roja started as usual: control the game, strike early, and let Álvaro Morata put them ahead with a goal in the opening minutes, his third in three matches. But the second half flipped the script as Japan equalized and then edged ahead with a controversial second goal that will be debated in the days ahead.
Luis Enrique opted for several changes to the starting eleven for this match. Carvajal, Laporte, Jordi Alba, Asensio, and Ferrán Torres—regulars against Germany—were left on the bench this time. The strategy from the Spanish coach did not translate into success on the field for this game.
How the teams arrived for this dramatic finale
The Blue Samurai added three points to their tally with a 2-1 win over Germany after a 0-1 loss to Costa Rica earlier.
Spain collected four points from a 7-0 victory over Costa Rica and a 1-1 draw with Germany.
Qatar World Cup 2022: when it starts, where it is, how it will be played and participating teams
next in GOAL the party’s actions.
Actions and curiosities of the feast
Japan’s draw injects more drama into the group
How dramatic, Unai!
Morata’s opener, a sharp cry to start the scoring
The first clear Spanish opportunity came in the sixth minute
The moment the Spanish anthem rang out was captured
JAPAN – SPAIN, OBJECTIVES AND MINUTE BY MINUTE
- The clash between the Blue Samurai and La Roja, minute by minute.
19:55 | A reminder that they were present throughout the tournament
19:45 | Spain had previously beaten Japan 1-0 in April 2001, the only prior meeting between the sides in a full international match.
19:38 | Spain’s analysis in the lead-up
19:27 | Spain had never lost to Asian opposition in five World Cup matches (W3 D2), though they were eliminated by penalty in 2002 against South Korea.
19:15 | wardrobe ready
19:04 | The Japanese XI included gondola; Taniguchi, Yoshida, Itakura, Nagatomo; blueberry, Ito; Tanaka, Kamada, cube; Mada.
19:00 | Spain had won eight of their last nine group-stage World Cup matches, with the 2-2 draw against Morocco in 2018 the exception.
18:45 | Japan had lost three of their last four World Cup games, a worry when aiming to avoid scoring droughts that stretch back since 1998 against Argentina and Croatia.
18:32 | Attention! Spain’s XI: Unai Simon; Azpilicueta, Rodri, Pau Torres, Balde; Gavi, Busquets, Pedro; Nico Williams, Morata and Dani Elm.
18:25 | Spain remained undefeated in seven World Cup fixtures going into this match (W3 D4). They have not endured a longer unbeaten run in the tournament’s history since 1998-2006.
18:13 | Croatia qualified second in Group F for the round of 16. Could they be Spain’s next rival?
#FIFA world cup The two sides of the coin. A smile and a tear after Belgium’s 0-0 with Croatia. The number two in the world stands second in Group F. The Red Devils head home early. pic.twitter.com/3llO4a2dOI
— GOAL Spain attribution
18:00 | Japan could reach the knockout stage in consecutive World Cups for the first time in their history. If they succeed, Hajime Moriyasu would be the third Japanese coach to guide the team to the knockout stage, following Takeshi Okada in 2010 and Akira Nishino in 2018.
17:44 | Álvaro Morata scored in both Spain’s World Cup appearances in 2022, both as a substitute. Only Telmo Zarra has achieved a similar feat for Spain in earlier tournaments.
17:30 | Luis Enrique’s pre-game briefing
- Good afternoon and welcome to another GOAL broadcast. Japan faces Spain on the third matchday of Group E at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, at the Khalifa International Stadium.
THE TARGET EXAMPLE
HOW TO WATCH LIVE ON TV AND STREAMING
The match will be shown on television in Argentina via DirecTV Sports and TyC Sports, while in Chile DirecTV Sports holds the rights. In Mexico, options include Sky Sports, TUDN, Azteca 7 and Canal de las Estrellas. In the United States, the game is available in Spanish on Telemundo and in English on FOX. In Colombia, DirecTV Sports, RCN and Caracol will carry the game. In Spain, it will be available on television.
The Japan vs Spain match will stream for South America on DirectTV Go and for Mexico via Blue to go and Vix+. In Spain, Movistar+ will carry the broadcast. In the United States, viewers can access the Fox Sports app and the Telemundo app.
DIRECTV Go is an online platform for movies, series, live sports and more. DIRECTV Play brings all content together in the same format.
To use it, a DIRECTV customer with a MyDIRECTV account is required. Then download the DIRECTV Go app for Android or iOS or access from a computer.
FORMATIONS
JAPAN
gondola; Taniguchi, Yoshida, Itakura, Nagatomo; blueberry, Ito; Tanaka, Kamada, cube; Mada
SPAIN
Unai Simon; Azpilicueta, Rodri, Pau Torres, Balde; Gavi, Busquets, Pedro; Nico Williams, Morata and Dani Elm.
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Source: GOAL