In Group E of the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, Japan and Spain faced off at the Khalifa International Stadium, a showdown that carried weight for who would emerge from the group and secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
The Blue Samurai entered the tournament with a winless start but showed resilience by edging out Germany before losing narrowly to Costa Rica. Their campaign began with a 1-2 loss to Costa Rica, followed by a 2-1 victory over Germany, thanks to goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano. Under the guidance of Hajime Moriyasu, Japan sat second in the group with three points and kept themselves in the race by aiming for a victorious result in the upcoming match, or at least a draw, while watching the other group encounter unfold.
La Roja, Spain, opened with a commanding 7-0 win over Costa Rica, then settled for a 1-1 draw with Germany on the second matchday. The strong start positioned Spain as favorites to advance, with only a draw needed to secure a place in the round of 16. The team, led by coach Luis Enrique, demonstrated formidable attacking quality with goals from Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Gavi, and others, setting a clear path toward the knockout stage.
Qatar World Cup 2022: when it starts, where it is held, how the tournament is structured, and which teams participate
In this article we explain everything you need to know about the game and its context.
WHEN IS IT?
Details about the match timing, kickoff, and potential adjustments to the schedule are provided to help fans plan their viewing and stay informed about any changes caused by broadcast windows or local conditions.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV
In Argentina, the game is televised by DirecTV Sports and TyC Sports. In Chile, DirecTV Sports handles the broadcast. Mexico offers Sky Sports, TUDN, Azteca 7, and Canal de las Estrellas. In the United States, the match is presented in Spanish on Telemundo and in English on FOX. Colombia’s coverage is provided by DirecTV Sports, RCN, and Snail. Spain broadcasts the game on La1 television.
HOW TO WATCH BY STREAMING
Direct streaming options include DirectTV Go for South America and Mexico, with Blue to go. In Spain, Movistar+ covers the match. In the United States, viewers can stream via the Fox Sports app and the Telemundo app.
DirectTV Go is a streaming platform where fans can access live sports along with a wide range of entertainment. DirectTV Play offers a unified experience across devices. To use it, a DirectTV account is needed, along with the MyDIRECTV credentials. The DirectTV Go app is available for Android and iOS, and is accessible from a computer as well.
FORMATIONS
JAPAN
Roaming players and tactical setup were still to be confirmed as the team prepared for the high-stakes clash.
SPAIN
Lineups and tactical arrangements were to be confirmed ahead of kickoff as Spain aimed to capitalize on their offensive depth.
Source: Goal