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IMAGE: Spain gamers after the match as Spain qualify for the knockout phases. {Photograph}: Susana Vera/Reuters
It appeared like enterprise as regular for Spain of their last World Cup Group E recreation towards Japan as they dominated possession, notched an early aim and appeared set to advance as group winners regardless of making 5 modifications to their aspect.
By the tip, nonetheless, their credentials as one of many favourites in Qatar had been stretched to the restrict by Japan’s exceptional 2-1 win and so they had been lucky to hitch the Samurai Blue within the final 16 by advantage of a superior aim distinction to Germany.
Spain placed on a first-half possession clinic harking back to their dominant sides that conquered Europe and the world, with Alvaro Morata heading his third aim of the event after 11 minutes.
At that stage, Spain had sufficient probing possession to have pushed Japan again right into a passive and jittery again 5 and so they cruised via to halftime regardless of the shortage of additional clear-cut possibilities.
In keeping with Opta, each Rodri (115) and Pau Torres (109) accomplished extra passes within the first half than Japan did as a whole workforce (89). The one-goal margin gave the impression to be adequate towards a Japan aspect taking part in with no actual sense of urgency regardless of their place on the event being on the road.
Spain weren’t as strong defensively, nonetheless, and that weak point was uncovered throughout an unbelievable six-minute spell after the restart when substitutes Ritsu Doan and Kaoru Mitoma made a right away impression to flip the match and Group E on their heads.
HIGH-PRESSING
IMAGE: The Samurai Blue pulled off the victory with solely 17.7% possession – the bottom for a successful workforce in recorded World Cup historical past – towards a shell-shocked Spain aspect. {Photograph}: Elsa/Getty Pictures
Japan’s high-pressing model which undid Germany had briefly unsettled Spain on a number of events within the first half.
However they solely took the sport to their European opponents after coach Hajime Moriyasu’s halftime substitutions and refused to allow them to choose the ball.
Spain’s tendency to surrender possession as they constructed from the again had virtually price them towards Germany and that pattern continued towards Japan, with Sergio Busquets shedding the ball on the sting of the world and Unai Simon having to scramble a clearance off his personal line on the half-hour mark.
Doan kicked off Japan’s comeback by amassing one other free ahead move from Simon earlier than unleashing a thunderous shot, whereas full of life winger Mitoma made the opposite decisive however controversial contribution by chopping the ball again for Ao Tanaka to bundle the ball house.
Luis Enrique’s aspect nonetheless noticed a lot of the ball however had been careless underneath stress when confronted with the potential of elimination – which briefly grew to become actuality throughout Costa Rica’s short-lived lead over Germany within the different Group E decider.
The Samurai Blue pulled off the victory with solely 17.7% possession – the bottom for a successful workforce in recorded World Cup historical past – towards a shell-shocked Spain aspect.
The 2010 world champions had just about your complete second half to stage a comeback however lacked power and concepts and barely threatened Shuichi Gonda in Japan’s aim.
Spain, who demolished Costa Rica 7-0 of their opening group match and drew 1-1 with Germany, will likely be relieved to have stayed within the event, however they have to now regroup earlier than taking up shock packages Morocco for a spot within the quarter-finals.
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