After beating Germany within the group’s marketing campaign opener, Japan labored its means into the spherical of 16 of the World Cup on Thursday by defeating Spain 2-1 — the identical scoreline as final week.
Japan scored twice early within the second half to return 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.
Germany, regardless of beating Costa Rica 4-2, acquired eradicated from the group stage for the second consecutive time as Spain superior to Last 16 on aim distinction.
Group E standings:
| Position | Teams | Matches | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Japan (Q) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | Spain (Q) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| 3 | Germany (E) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | Costa Rica (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 | -8 | 3 |
