Japan vs Spain 2-1: World Cup 2022 – as it happened
All the updates from the World Cup 2022 match between Japan and Spain at the Khalifa International Stadium.
This blog is closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Japan vs Spain World Cup 2022 match on Thursday, December 1.
This blog is closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Japan vs Spain World Cup 2022 match on Thursday, December 1.
- Japan XI: Shuichi Gonda, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Yuto Nagatomo (Kaoru Mitoma, 46′), Takefusa Kubo (Ritsu Doan, 46′), Hidemasa Morita, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada (Takehiro Tomiyasu, 69′), Ao Tanaka (Wataru Endo, 87′), Maya Yoshida, Daizen Maeda (Takuma Asano, 62′).
- Spain XI: Unai Simon, Cesar Azpilicueta (Dani Carvajal, 46′), Pau Torres, Sergio Busquets, Alvaro Morata (Marco Asensio, 57′), Gavi (Ansu Fati, 68′), Nico Williams (Ferran Torres, 57′), Alejandro Balde (Jordi Alba, 68′), Rodri, Dani Olmo, Pedri.
- Japan stun Spain, beating them 2-1.
- Japan qualify as the top of the group; Spain will join them in the round of 16; Germany and Costa Rica crash out.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
That’s all from us tonight
We’re going to take some time now to process what we’ve just seen tonight. We suggest you do the same.
Here’s to more drama at this World Cup!
Doan changed the game for Japan
The super-sub came off the bench to score against Germany, and he turned the game on its head today, too. He scored the first and was instrumental in completing the second.
This is why we love this sport
We thought the drama of the group stages had peaked last night when Mexico came agonisingly close to qualifying for the knockout stages.
But tonight trumps that. A rollercoaster of emotions, pendulum-like swings in fortunes and mathematical calculations that make your head spin.
And we’ve still got Uruguay vs Ghana to come on Friday.
Chapeau, Blue Samurais
Nothing beats the drama of the World Cup: the jeopardy, high stakes and the pride of nations, the passion of fans and the huge global audience. Money isn’t the motivation here; it’s more glory and patriotism. Fabulous achievement by Japan, topping a tough group. #FIFAWorldCup
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) December 1, 2022
Blessing in disguise for Spain?
I don't think Spain should be heartbroken about avoiding that potential quarter-final against Brazil.
— Grace Robertson 🏳️⚧️ (@GraceOnFootball) December 1, 2022
Jubilations
Japan prove possession overrated
Japan had less than 18 percent possession in their emphatic victory over Spain.
Full-time: Japan 2-1 Spain
Olmo shoots wide
He lets fly from 25 yards but drags it wide.
90+6 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
No nonsense from Japan
Every time they win the ball back, it’s hoofed out.
90+5 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Japan remain stubborn at the back
Spain have the ball but they are struggling to get it to their strikers. Backs to the wall for Japan.
90+4 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Japan holding on
7 minutes of injury time
Spain still pushing for a goal.
90+1 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Couple of chances for Spain
Asensio curls a shot from the right but it’s parried by Gonda. Olmo breaks free down the right, but his shot is saved again by Gonda.
90 min: Japan 2-1 Spain
Japan frustrating Spain
Spain have launched wave after wave of attack, but it has come to nothing. No clear-cut chances for them in the 2nd half.
89 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Germany take the lead against Costa Rica
Germany have made it 3-2 against Costa Rica with another Havertz goal in the 85th minute.
Now Spain and Germany both have four points, but Spain would join Japan in qualifying thanks to a better goal difference record than the Germans.
Football. pic.twitter.com/JFY2zJlzlq
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2022
Change for Japan
Tanaka is off, Endo is on.
87 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Japan’s counter attacking threat
Japan almost break through on the counter. Only two defenders in the Spain half and they were almost caught out there. Spain need to be weary of Japan’s speed in transition.
85 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Here’s the math
With all four teams with a realistic chance of qualifying for the group, the math can get complicated.
Here’s where things stand according to the current two Group E results, which may change at any moment:
Japan will qualify as top of the group with six points; Spain will join them with four points, thanks to a superior goal difference to Costa Rica, who also have four points. Germany will be bottom of the group with two points.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2022
Spain are probing
They’ve camped outside the Japan box, looking for chinks in the armour to slip in a through ball. But, Japan have remained resolute in the face of this slow but steady onslaught.
80 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Costa Rica and Germany score to make it 2-2
Costa Rica and Germany have both scored in the other game, quickly turning their 1-1 draw into a 2-2 draw.
Costa Rica took the lead with a Juan Pablo Vargas goal in the 70th minute only for Kai Havertz to equalise three minutes later. Follow live updates from that match here.
As things stand, Spain and Japan will qualify from the group.
Asano with a chance
Mitoma charges down the left wing and his cross in from the left finds Asano, who only has the goalkeeper to beat from 15 yards (14 metres). But, his contact is horrible and the ball goes out.
70 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Tomiyasu comes on for Japan
The Arsenal defender comes on in place of Kamada. His pedigree at the back will be key to Japan’s efforts to hold on to their lead.
68 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Spain’s inexperience is showing
They look rattled here and have struggled to get a hold of the game since that second Japan goal. It’s the ultimate test of this young Spain team’s mettle.
Ansu Fati and Jordi Alba come on for Spain. Balde and Gavi come off.
68 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Costa Rica equalise against Germany
It’s not going well for the European teams in Group E at the moment. At the same time that Spain saw their lead against Japan evaporate, Yeltsin Tejeda equalised for Costa Rica against Germany, making it 1-1.
As things stand, Japan and Spain will go through to the round of 16.