Soccer-Impressed Japan roar again once more to shock Spain and high group By Reuters

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© Reuters. Soccer Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group E – Japan v Spain – Khalifa Worldwide Stadium, Doha, Qatar – December 1, 2022 Japan’s Ao Tanaka scores their second purpose REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

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By William Schomberg

DOHA (Reuters) -Japan staged their second beautiful turnaround of the World Cup to beat 2010 champions Spain 2-1 on Thursday with two quick-fire objectives and advance to the final 16 together with their overwhelmed opponents, dumping Germany out within the course of.

The prospect of an early World Cup exit for Japan was reworked into one of many best nights for the Samurai Blue after coach Hajime Moriyasu revamped his facet at halftime.

Ritsu Doan, one of many substitutes, hammered in a shot from the sting of the field within the forty eighth minute which Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon – whose poor clearance had created the hazard – couldn’t preserve out.

Three minutes later, Ao Tanaka scored from point-blank vary after the opposite halftime sub Kaoru Mitoma minimize the ball again from the byline.

The VAR system took a number of minutes to substantiate the ball had not gone out earlier than Mitoma’s contact, sparking wild celebrations by the Japan gamers and their followers just like the scenes that adopted their 2-1 comeback win over Germany final week.

Japan, who’ve by no means progressed past the primary knockout spherical, will face Croatia within the final 16 and Spain will meet Morocco.

Spain had seemed in whole management within the first half however had been immediately clinging to their probability of staying within the World Cup as Costa Rica and Germany battled out their very own drama within the different Group E match which resulted in a 4-2 win for Germany, not sufficient to maintain them within the event.

Alvaro Morata had put the Spaniards forward when he scored his third purpose in three video games in Qatar, rising excessive above Japan’s defence to energy a header previous goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda within the eleventh minute after a cross by Cesar Azpilicueta.

The breathtaking 2-1 win for Japan – who additionally beat Germany 2-1 after going behind of their opening match of the event – meant they topped Group E, adopted by Spain in second who completed forward of third-placed Germany solely on purpose distinction.