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The group of European hyperteams has ended with Japan on top after they repeated the trick of matchday one with a searing come from behind 2-1 win over Spain.
Just as had been the case when they shocked Germany in the opening round of games, Japan had looked to be utterly overwhelmed at half time in the Khalifa International Stadium, fortunate to trail Spain only by Alvaro Morata’s header. The substitutions of Hajime Moriyasu swung the tide once more as Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka struck to propel Samurai Blue to the summit of Group E.
Such a scenario would have been unimaginable after 45 minutes. Morata had risen highest to flick home a Cesar Azpilicueta cross from the right but Spain could have had so many more if the penalty box incursions and dominance of possession had carried through to the scoresheet. Down the right flank Luis Enrique’s side were devastating, Gavi and Nico Williams combining to crash the byline and test Shuici Gonda at his near post.
With 73 percent possession and complete territorial control there seemed to be just one winner at the interval, where the footballing world was purring over Spain as potential champions. And yet there were moments in the second half where La Furia Roja were heading for the exit door as Costa Rica stunned Germany, at least for a few minutes.
By that time Japan had already taken the lead 30 miles away, Doan and Kaoru Mitoma making an immediate impact off the bench. The Japanese press out of the second half blocks stunned Spain, forcing a nervy clearance from Unai Simon. Doan pounced, thumping a left footed drive from outside the box.
Within three minutes they led again, Doan attacking down the right and firing a cross to the back post. Mitoma flicked it across from the byline — VAR would conclude the ball had just stayed in play — and the ball bounced off Tanaka to fire Japan towards victory.
For most of the second half this game was heading towards a scenario that would favor both sides at Germany’s expense and yet there was little sense of Spain settling for defeat. Marco Asensio thumped a fizzing strike towards goal late on but Japan’s defense was outstanding, only allowing the opposition in behind once as Gonda saved smartly from Olmo.
Top of the group, Japan will face Croatia whilst runners-up Spain will take on Morocco. Germany, who before 2018 had not been eliminated in the first round of a World Cup in 80 years, now face an early flight home for the second World Cup in a row.