Khalil Bashar/Jam Media/Getty Images
Japan upset Spain 2-1 on Thursday in the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar at Khalifa International Stadium to claim the top spot in Group E and reach the round of 16.
Álvaro Morata opened the scoring for Spain in the 11th minute with a header from about six yards out, and they entered halftime with a 1-0 lead. However, the team’s second-half performance was subpar.
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccer
Textbook header by Morata 📚🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/ZjcRiC4HeA
Ritsu Doan tied the game in the 48th minute on a whistling shot from outside the box that beat Unai Simón, and Ao Tanaka scored just minutes later to put Japan up 2-1 in the 51st minute.
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccer
JAPAN TIES IT 🇯🇵🔥
As it stands, Japan is through to the knockout stage pic.twitter.com/9Q58ke30Vw
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccer
TWO FOR JAPAN
Take another look at the goal that put Japan on top vs Spain ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/kyH3k6Hsn8
Luis Enrique’s squad is still advancing to the knockouts despite the loss, sitting second in Group E, beating out Germany on goal difference and Costa Rica on points.
However, it was a frustrating and disappointing loss for Spain, which got lazy in the second half, and journalists and fans are calling their performance against Japan “arrogant.”
Miguel Delaney @MiguelDelaney
Spain deserve to be eliminated on this. They got extremely complacent – an arrogant performance where they now can’t raise it.
Nwanneka OmecheMcfc🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 @nwanneka_omeche
Spain are so lucky and arrogant, need me a team that will kick them out of the world cup in the next round.
TD @_JTD28
Japan deserve that. Spain have got far to arrogant in their football. #FIFAWorldCup
Iván Fernández @afroxander
Spain went from tiki-taka to tiki-lackadaisical from one half to the other, smh…
Neal Guv’nor @nealguvnor
Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Germany…these powerhouses came to this World Cup arrogant and full of their ‘values’.
Chegypter @filipklevmark
@DriscollFC @TerryGibson88 Spain acted as though they were already through in the first half.
Ive never seen a more arrogant perfomance and they are rightly punished for it.
How can you even allow the team to run around you, much less not even attempt to score?
𝟎:𝟎𝟕🕷🇦🇷 @jordynumba7
Spain played just enough to keep themselves in and Germany out. They could’ve scored again if they wanted to
frxnce @frxncevfx
japanese are actually soo good , goated pressing and solid position they just really good nothing to say , spain played really bad today icl but gg both qual
With the win, Japan is now moving on to face Croatia in the round of 16 on Monday, while Spain will face Morocco on Tuesday.
Four other elimination stage matches have also been set. The United States and Netherlands will meet on Saturday, as will Argentina and Australia. France and Poland will go head-to-head on Sunday, along with England and Senegal.
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