Japan and Spain advance to knockout round, Germany eliminated from World Cup

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Same stadium. Same outcome. Similar stunning victory for Japan on the World Cup.

After beating Germany within the workforce’s opener, Japan labored its approach into the spherical of 16 of the World Cup on Thursday by defeating Spain 2-1 — the identical rating as final week.

Spain additionally superior regardless of the loss, knocking Germany out of the event.

Japan scored twice early within the second half to come back from behind and defeat one other European powerhouse and make it to the knockout stage for the second straight World Cup. It’s the primary time Japan has superior previous the group stage in back-to-back tournaments.

“For Asia and for Japan, our victories over Spain and Germany, two of the top teams in the world, is something that give us great confidence and we are very pleased,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu mentioned. “Of course, there are many things we still have to learn, but Asia can win in the world stage, Japan can win in the world stage.”

Ao Tanaka scored the profitable purpose from shut vary early within the second half. It took about two minutes for video assessment officers to substantiate the ball hadn’t gone out of bounds earlier than the purpose at Khalifa International Stadium, the place Japan had shocked Germany in its opener.

Players from each groups regarded shocked when it was introduced that the purpose counted, and the Japanese began operating towards their bench once more to rejoice with their teammates.

“From my angle I think the ball was clearly half out, but more than that I could not see because of the speed,” Tanaka mentioned. “I was concentrating in scoring. There was always a possibility that it was out … But in the end it was a goal, so that was great.”

Japan completed on the prime of Group E and can subsequent face Croatia. Spain will tackle Group F winner Morocco.

Spain and Germany — which beat Costa Rica 4-2 in a simultaneous match — each had 4 factors within the group. But Spain had a superior purpose distinction.

The group standings bounced forwards and backwards throughout each matches. Costa Rica was beating Germany at one level. If that outcome had stood, Costa Rica would have eradicated Spain.

Spain coach Luis Enrique mentioned he didn’t know that at one level Costa Rica was profitable.

“If I had known about it, I could have had a heart attack,” he mentioned.

Álvaro Morata scored for Spain within the eleventh minute and the 2010 champions have been in management till Japan rallied after halftime. Ritsu Doan equalized within the forty eighth with a left-footed shot from outdoors the field and Tanaka added the second three minutes later.

Luis Enrique mentioned Spain “got into collapse mode.”

“We totally lost control during those five minutes. We panicked,” Luis Enrique mentioned. “If they had to score more goals, they would have been able to do it. They got past us like an airplane.”

Morata grew to become the primary Spain participant to attain within the workforce’s first three matches on the World Cup since Telmo Zarra in 1950.

Spain had opened with a 7-0 rout of Costa Rica earlier than conceding late in a 1-1 draw towards Germany.

Japan, which misplaced to Costa Rica in its second match, was eradicated by Belgium within the final 16 4 years in the past in Russia. The Japanese have by no means gotten previous the spherical of 16 on the World Cup.

By ending second within the group, Spain could keep away from dealing with Brazil within the quarterfinals and Argentina within the semifinals.

“There is nothing to celebrate,” Luis Enrique mentioned. “I’m not blissful. We wished to complete in first place with a victory.”

The coach mentioned he was shocked that the second purpose by Japan was confirmed by VAR. He mentioned he was proven a photograph of the ball out of bounds.

“That photo they showed me must have been altered,” Luis Enrique mentioned. “That’s the only explanation.”