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Germany won against Costa Rica (4-2) but remains on the doorstep of the round of 16 of the World Cup-2022 due to the performance of Japan, stunning winner of Spain (2-1). The Japanese take the lead in Group E after an eventful evening.
First in group F thanks to their victory against Canada, the Moroccans had to watch the outcome of group E with a close eye to know their next opponent in the round of 16. And like all football lovers in front of Japan – Spain and Germany – Costa Rica, they had to go through all the emotions. And for good reason, the name of his future opponent changed no less than six times during the evening and each of the selections which competed this evening, at one point, virtually held second place in the group.
But on arrival, it was Japan who finished first ahead of Spain, their evening opponent (2-1). They will face Croatia and Morocco respectively. Germany ended with a victory with a bitter taste since it was insufficient to qualify. For the second World Cup in a row, the Mannschaft will not see the round of 16.
An unlikely outcome
The scenario is worthy of the greatest manga. Japan, which successively beat two of the last three world champions to date (Spain and Germany) and is now going to challenge the reigning vice-champion (Croatia)! An outcome that few would have imagined in the draw, when the duel between Spain and Germany was presented as the summit of the group stages.
For a moment, when Costa Rica had briefly taken the advantage over Germany on an own goal from Manuel Neuer (2-1, 70th), the unimaginable even seemed to be able to happen. For three minutes, until Havertz equalized (2-2, 73rd), Spain and Germany were even virtually eliminated.
The Germans eventually won 4-2 over Costa Rica, but it was a victory for honour. They knew that they no longer had their destiny in their hands in this match, for the price of their inaugural defeat in this World Cup against Japan (2-1). This is the second consecutive time that the Mannschaft, quadruple world champion, has come out of a World Cup in the group stages. A failure all the more bitter as it comes less than two years before Euro-2024, organized … in Germany.
Disappointing Spain
In the other match, the Japanese did not steal their victory over Spain (2-1), even if the referee’s decision on the second goal is likely to be talked about. From the start of the game, the Samuraï Blue were the first to be dangerous through Stade de Reims striker Junya Ito, whose shot from the right side from a tight angle just missed Unai Simon’s goal ( 8th).
But the Japanese desires and enthusiasm were quickly showered three minutes later when Alvaro Morata, preferred to Marco Asensio at the forefront of the attack, opened the scoring with a header, receiving an impeccable cross from Cesar Azpilicueta (11th, 1-0).
The match then dropped in intensity, the Spaniards contenting themselves with playing at a false pace while opposite, the Japanese spared no effort, but in a way too disorderly to worry the opposing defence.
But three minutes after the resumption, the first thunderclap! Ritsu Doan, who had already scored the first goal against Germany, equalized with a powerful shot from the left at the edge of the area on which Unai Simon, the Spanish goalkeeper, did not seem exempt from all reproach ( 1-1, 48th).
And a second thunderbolt six minutes later, when Japan took the lead on a late cross from Kaoru Mitoma for Ao Tanaka, who scored from close range (2-1, 54′). In the footage, the ball appeared to go out of bounds when Mitoma lunged to cross, but South African referee Victor Gomes allowed the goal after viewing VAR.
Unable to react and ultimately very disappointing, Spain no longer managed to impose their game, hampered by the fighting spirit of Blue Samurai unleashed and determined to maintain an advantage which opens the gates of paradise to them. As the Belgians know so well, possession is not everything: the Japanese 17%, the lowest total for a match winner at the World Cup, proves it.
Spain can breathe. This poor performance will have no major consequences except on his confidence. She will have to remobilize against a Morocco that firmly believes in its destiny and its ability to sublimate itself in front of its large audience in Qatar.
With AFP
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