Match Summary
Both Japan and Spain will move on to the 16-player round. Morata put Spain ahead in the first half, but Doan and Tanaka scored for Japan in the second to complete an incredible comeback. Given that Germany also won their game against Costa Rica, Japan will advance as group winners, while Spain will finish as runners-up.
On Monday, Japan will play Croatia in the round of 16, while on Tuesday, Spain will take on Morocco.
Full Time – Japan 2 – 1 Spain
Key Moments
- 11 Minutes of 1st Half – Alvaro Morata scores and is assisted by Cesar Azpilicueta.After Azpilicueta floats in an inch-perfect cross from the right side, the attacker puts a good header past Gonda with the help of his teammates.
- 48 Minutes of 2nd Half – Ritsu Doan scores and Junya Ito assisted the goal. Doan restores parity for Japan. After some shoddy defending on the part of Spain, the sub quickly gets on the field and snags the ball on the edge of the box, from where he fires a magnificent attempt that Simon can’t save and into the top corner of the net.
- 51 Minutes of 2nd Half – Tanaka Scores and is assisted by Kaoru Mitoma. Doan did a great job of sending a cross into the box to locate Mitoma, who did very well to cut the ball back to Tanaka, who did very well to bundle the ball across the goal line.
| Japan | Spain | |
| Winner/Loser | Won | Lose |
| Goal | 2 | 1 |
| Assists | 2 | 1 |
| Ball Possession | 18% | 82% |
| Big Chances | 1 | 2 |
| Passes | 228 | 1058 |
| Accurate Passes | 153 | 968 |
| Total Shots (On Target) | 6 | 12 |
| Fouls | 6 | 9 |
| Yellow Card | 3 | |
| Red Card | ||
| Offside | 2 | 2 |
| Corners | 2 | |
| Keeper Saves | 4 | 1 |
| Player Of The Match | Tanaka |
Point table of Group (E) after this match
| Team | Play | Goal Difference | Points |
| Japan | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Spain | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Germany | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Costa Rica | 3 | -8 | 3 |
