Japan vs Spain LIVE: World Cup 2022 result and reaction as Doan and Tanaka goals send Germany out
Japan staged another thrilling comeback to top Group E - with Spain through in second and Germany out
Japan staged their second stunning turnaround of the World Cup when they beat 2010 champions Spain 2-1 on Thursday with two quick-fire goals and advanced to the last 16 along with their beaten opponents.
Going into the halftime break 1-0 down and on course for an early World Cup exit, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu reorganised his side to give them more attacking bite and within six minutes the Samurai Blue were ahead.
Ritsu Doan, one of the substitutes, hammered in a shot from the edge of the box in the 48th minute that Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon - whose poor clearance had created the danger - could not keep out. Three minutes later, Ao Tanaka scored from close range after the other halftime sub Kaoru Mitoma cut the ball back from the byline.
The breathtaking 2-1 win for Japan - who also beat Germany 2-1 after going behind in their opening match of the tournament - meant they topped Group E, followed by Spain in second who finished ahead of third-placed Germany only on goal difference.
Follow all the reaction with our live blog below
World Cup 2022: Japan 0-1 Spain
25 mins: Great block from Japan defender Kou Itakura to block Dani Olmo squeezing the ball in at the near post!
Japan just need to keep Spain within arm’s length right now...
World Cup 2022: Japan 0-1 Spain
23 mins: Death by a hundred passes? Something like that.
Spain just toying a little bit with Japan here. Gavi sets up Morata in behind but his shot is straight at Gonda.
Meanwhile, here’s Morata’s goal!
World Cup 2022: Japan 0-1 Spain
17 mins: Spain are doing their thing - keeping the ball effortlessly and probing, slowly.
Japan can’t get their foot on the ball at the moment, really struggling. They’re shaken.
World Cup 2022: Japan 0-1 Spain (Morata 11’)
11 mins: Spain have the breakthrough!
It’s Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross which is inch-perfect for Alvaro Morata to head home from close range - no chance for Gonda!
Lovely build-up from Spain, a perfect start!
World Cup 2022: Japan 0-0 Spain
9 mins: Few chances early on here!
Balde’s cross is straight on Morata’s head but it’s straight at Japan keeper Gonda!
World Cup 2022: Japan 0-0 Spain
8 mins: Nightmare few minutes for Busquets!
He gives the ball away just outside his own penalty area but Japan can’t take full advantage, as Junya Ito shoots from a narrow angle into the side-netting!
World Cup 2022: Japan 0-0 Spain
7 mins: First look at Nico Williams on the right-hand side - his cross is only half-cleared to captain Sergio Busquets on the edge of the box, but his left-foot shot is high and wide!
Unsurprisingly, he never looked like scoring!
World Cup 2022: Japan 0-0 Spain
5 mins: As you might suspect, Spain dominant with the ball early on - with Japan setting up with a back-five.
Yet the Japanese have the first quick attack, but it’s quickly cleared by Spain’s Pau Torres.
World Cup 2022: Japan vs Spain
KICK-OFF: We’re underway at the Khalifa International Stadium!
Japan in blue shirts and white shorts, with Spain in their usual all-red.
World Cup 2022: Japan vs Spain - a reminder of the starting XIs!
Japan: Shuichi Gonda, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Yuto Nagatomo, Takefusa Kubo, Hidemasa Morita, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Ao Tanaka, Maya Yoshida, Daizen Maeda
Spain: Unai Simon, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pau Torres, Sergio Busquets, Alvaro Morata, Gavi, Nico Williams, Alejandro Balde, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Pedri
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