Japan had surprised Germany as soon as on this World Cup. They did it once more on Friday – this time, additionally upsetting Spain within the course of. And so they did it on the similar venue as effectively – the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium.
In one of the crucial dramatic evenings in World Cup historical past, the Asian giants staged an unbelievable second-half comeback, beat the 2010 world champions Spain 2-1 and, within the course of, knockout the 2014 world champions Germany, who exit the World Cup within the group stage for second time in a row.
As fortunes of all 4 groups in Group E swung from one excessive to a different, Japan topped the pool with six factors forward of Spain, who have been degree on factors with Germany (4) however sneaked into the final 16 forward of their European rivals owing to a superior purpose distinction. Costa Rica, who have been in rivalry to progress for a couple of minutes after they led Germany however misplaced 4-2, completed on the backside of the group with three factors.
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However the night time belonged to Japan, who as soon as once more scripted a large upset because of impressed second half substitutions.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu’s group picks have come underneath heavy scrutiny within the final two matches. After his substitutions labored wonders within the second half in opposition to Germany, the gamers who turned across the sport have been left on bench in opposition to Costa Rica, which resulted in a loss. And when he stored them out of the beginning 11 in opposition to Spain on Thursday, one puzzled if Moriyasu had blundered once more, particularly after Spain dominated the primary half, went 1-0 up following a Alvaro Morata header within the eleventh minute, leaving Japan on the point of elimination.
Maybe he did. However he course-corrected and Japan got here again from the lifeless to win the match and make it to the Spherical of 16.
Moriyasu introduced on Ritsu Doan – one of many influence gamers from the Germany win – off the bench in the beginning of the second half. And it turned out to be a game-changing transfer as Doan scored inside a minute of approaching to show not simply the match, however the complete Group E equation, on its head.
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Till that second, it had been plain crusing for Spain and Germany. Whereas Spain have been by no means troubled by Japan, Germany have been asserting themselves over Costa Rica on the Al Bayt stadium.
A Serge Gnabry header off a David Raum cross within the tenth minute had given Germany the lead and so they appeared on track to safe their place within the final 16, provided that Japan – who have been forward of them on factors earlier than kick off – have been shedding to Spain at that second.
It stayed like that till half time in each matches. After restart, although, the tables turned.
Japan got here out all weapons blazing and after Doan’s equaliser within the forty eighth minute, Tanaka knocked the ball previous Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon underneath controversial circumstances. It appeared just like the ball had crossed the byline earlier than it was performed throughout for Ao Tanaka to attain. However after an agonising VAR wait, it was dominated in Japan’s favour.
Spain pressed arduous for the equaliser however regardless of conserving the possession, they have been unable to breach the Japanese wall.
Japan survived anxious moments late within the match to report a well-known win. It didn’t matter that Germany had defeated Costa Rica within the different sport. Per week after they’d upset Germany, they dealt an even bigger blow this time by knocking them out of the World Cup.