Japan vs Spain HIGHLIGHTS: Japan SHOCK Spain 2-1 to reach knockouts, Spain advance despite LOSS: WATCH Full HIGHLIGHTS

Japan vs Spain HIGHLIGHTS – FIFA World Cup 2022 – JPN 2-1 ESP: Japan rallied from a goal down in the second half to defeat Spain 2-1 on Thursday and advance to the World Cup knockout stages as group champions. Despite their defeat, Spain joins Japan in the round of 16 on goal difference, thanks to Germany’s victory over Costa Rica in the group’s other game. Watch FIFA World CUP Highlights with InsideSport.IN

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

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Japan vs Spain HIGHLIGHTS: Japan SHOCK Spain 2-1 to reach knockouts, Spain advance despite LOSS- WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

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Japan vs Spain HIGHLIGHTS: Japan SHOCK Spain 2-1 to reach knockouts, Spain advance despite LOSS- WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Spain made five substitutions from the team that drew with Germany. Cesar Azpilicueta returned to the right back position, with Pau Torres and Alex Balde also beginning. Alvaro Morata and Nico Williams will both start in attack. The players that have withdrawn are Dani Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba, Ferran Torres, and Marco Asensio.

Japan made five changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Costa Rica in their second group encounter. Shogo Taniguchi starts on the right side of a back three, Kunya Ito and Ao Tanaka move into the midfield, while Takefus Kubo and Daizen Meda start up front. However, there are no Takumi Minamino or Kaoru Mitoma in the beginning.

Another famous Japan win sees them top a wild Group E 🇯🇵@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2022

On 48 minutes, Ritsu Doan slammed home from outside the box as Spain were caught off guard playing out of the back, and goalkeeper Unai Simon unable to get enough on his attempted save to keep it out. With Spain still reeling from the unexpected, Japan took the lead in contentious circumstances.

Japan vs Spain HIGHLIGHTS: Japan SHOCK Spain 2-1 to reach knockouts, Spain advance despite LOSS- WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

The goal appeared to be called out at first, with the ball looking to be out of play, before Kaoru Mitoma cut it back for AO Tanaka to bundle in from close range. However, following a VAR review, the goal was awarded, completely changing the complexion of the group.

At that point, a Costa Rica victory over Germany in the group’s second game would have eliminated Spain from the competition. Despite failing to equalise against Japan, Spain advanced thanks to Germany’s win. Spain will now face Morocco in the round of 16 on Tuesday, while Japan, who also defeated Germany in their World Cup opening, will face Croatia on Monday.

Japan vs Spain HIGHLIGHTS: Japan SHOCK Spain 2-1 to reach knockouts, Spain advance despite LOSS- WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Japan: Shuichi Gonda (GK), Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Yuto Nagatomo, Takefusa Kubo, Hidemasa Morita, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Ao Tanaka, Maya Yoshida, Daizen Maeda

Spain: Unai Simon (GK); Azpilicueta, Rodri, Pau Torres, Balde, Busquets, Pedri, Gavi, Nico Williams, Dani Olmo, Morata