DOHA, Qatar — Similar stadium. Identical outcome. Similar surprising victory for Japan at the World Cup.
After beating Germany 2-1 in its opener, Japan uncovered its way into the round of 16 of the Planet Cup by defeating Spain by the exact score in its final team recreation Thursday.
Spain also highly developed inspite of the decline.
Japan scored 2 times early in the 2nd 50 % to arrive from behind and defeat one more European powerhouse and make it to the knockout stage for the next straight time. It was the initial time Japan has superior previous the group phase in again-to-back again tournaments.
Ao Tanaka scored the profitable goal from near array early in the next 50 %. It took about two minutes for video critique officials to affirm the ball hadn’t absent out of bounds ahead of the objective that gave Japan the get at Khalifa Intercontinental Stadium, which is where Japan experienced shocked Germany in its opener.
Japan concluded at the best of Team E to set up a very last-16 matchup towards Croatia. Spain finished next and will choose on Morocco.
Images: Japan beats Spain 2-1 at Entire world Cup
Spain and Germany – which conquer Costa Rica 4-2 – both equally experienced three factors in the team. But Spain experienced a exceptional target difference from its 1st group match so Germany was removed.
The group standings bounced back and forth through the two matches. Costa Rica was beating Germany at a person issue. If that consequence had stood, Costa Rica would have eradicated Spain.
Álvaro Morata scored 1st for Spain in the 11th moment and Spain was in manage right up until Japan rallied just after halftime. Ritsu Doan equalized in the 48th with a remaining-footed shot from exterior the box, and Tanaka additional the 2nd 3 minutes later.
Morata grew to become the initially player to score in the initial a few Spain matches at the Planet Cup since Telmo Zarra in 1950.
Spain experienced opened with a 7- rout of Costa Rica ahead of conceding late in a 1-1 draw from Germany.
Japan was removed by Belgium in the last 16 in Russia. It has in no way absent past the round of 16 at Environment Cups.