After Germany, Spain was also surprised by Japan, which became group winner and will play against Croatia in the 1/8th finals. La Roja did take the lead, but was beaten twice just after the break. It flirted with the elimination, but was still able to qualify on goal difference. A huge relief for Luis Enrique and his friends, who now play against Morocco.
Key moment: Hajimi Moriyasu who decided to make two substitutions at half time. Logical, but it created a new vibe and a new comeback.
Man of the match: Ao Tanaka, midfielder of the German second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf, who was allowed to celebrate his winning goal after a double check by the VAR.
We will also remember him: Alvaro Morata, because he was the second Spaniard ever to score in his first three World Cup matches – only Telmo Zarra did it before him.
After a 4 out of 6, make five substitutions: Luis Enrique can do that. The Spanish national coach replaced three quarters of his defense – Baldé, Pau Torres and Azpilicueta relieved Carvajal, Laporte and Alba – and up front he benched Asensio and his son-in-law Ferran Torres. Williams came in and the deep striker was Alvaro Morata.
And look: Luis Enrique was right. After twelve minutes, La Roja already took the lead thanks to three of those new names. Williams put back, Azpilicueta crossed and Morata headed in from close range. The Japanese defenders were pointing at each other and so it became a breeze for the striker of Atlético Madrid. It was his third goal at this World Cup – his first as a basic player – and his thirtieth in sixty international matches. He celebrated with his thumb in his mouth: after three sons, his Italian girlfriend Alice will soon give birth to a daughter.
Goal scorer Morata will soon become a father for the fourth time.
Photo: REUTERS
After a 4 out of 6, make five substitutions: Luis Enrique can do that. The Spanish national coach replaced three quarters of his defense – Baldé, Pau Torres and Azpilicueta relieved Carvajal, Laporte and Alba – and up front he benched Asensio and his son-in-law Ferran Torres. Williams came in and the deep striker was Alvaro Morata.
And look: Luis Enrique was right. After twelve minutes, La Roja already took the lead thanks to three of those new names. Williams put back, Azpilicueta crossed and Morata headed in from close range. The Japanese defenders were pointing at each other and so it became a breeze for the striker of Atlético Madrid. It was his third goal at this World Cup – his first as a basic player – and his thirtieth in sixty international matches. He celebrated with his thumb in his mouth: after three sons, his Italian girlfriend Alice will soon give birth to a daughter.
Barely 20 percent possession
It was a shame for Japan, because it had decorated the first big chance itself. However, the control of former Genk winger Ito was not good enough and the corner became quite sharp – he kicked into the side net. For the rest, Hajimi Moriyasu’s team had to undergo the game completely. She barely had 20 percent possession in the first half and we barely gave 89 passes. Rodri and Torres, Spain’s centre-backs, just the two of them gave 226…
Kane Tanaka cried out after the 2-1.
Photo: REUTERS
Despite the lead and control, Luis Enrique was visibly dissatisfied, but because of that lead he sent the same eleven players onto the mat after the break. He soon regretted that. We hadn’t even gone five minutes before the game and the score were completely tilted. First the new substitute Ritsu Doan managed to outwit Simon and then it was the other substitute, Mitoma (ex-Union), who served Ao Tanaka for the 2-1. Incredible scenes at the Khalifa International Stadium. That second goal was in danger of being rejected for a while, because the ball seemed to have passed the back line, but the VAR was not sure based on the images.
Sweating on the couch
So Spain in nests. It was still on its way to qualifying thanks to his great goal difference, but when they realized on the bench that Germany had swallowed the equalizer, they started to sweat. Another goal from Costa Rica and they were there with the team from. It was almost unthinkable, but seventy minutes into the game it had happened. The two top countries were virtually eliminated.
Ferran Torres, Asensio, Fati: those were Luis Enrique’s offensive jokers. They had to save him and the World Cup of Spain their World Cup. However, there was hardly any consultation and the opportunities were not forthcoming. Fortunately, the rescue could also come from the Germans and when they made it 2-2, Spain was placed again. Of course it would have preferred to rectify the lopsided situation, but the final offensive yielded nothing. Gonda stood firm on attempts from Asensio and Olmo and guided Japan to the 1/8th finals for the second World Cup in a row. Even as a group winner: what a stunt! It will soon be against Croatia. Spain hits Morocco.
Japan: Gonda, Itakura, Yoshida, Taniguchi, Ito, Morita, Tanaka (87′ Endo), Nagatomo (46′ Mitoma), Kamada (69′ Tomiyasu), Maeda (62′ Asano), Take (46′ Doan)
Spain: Simon, Azpilicueta (46′ Carvajal), Rodri, P. Torres, Balde (68′ Alba), Gavi (68′ Fati), Busquets, Pedri, Williams (57′ F. Torres), Morata (57′ Asensio), Olmo
goals: 12′ Morata 0-1, 48′ Doan 1-1, 53′ Tanaka 2-1
Yellow cards: 39′ Itakura, 44′ Taniguchi, 45′ Yoshida
Referee: Victor Gomes (Z-Afr)
Spectators: 44.851
Photo: REUTERS
