Japan pulled out all stops and stunned the world by beating heavyweights Spain in a major thrilling World Cup upset as the four-time champions were tossed out of the tournament.<\/p>\n
Japan produced a stunning performance to win their match against an opponent viewed as one of the tournament favorites at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, beating Spain 2-1 and securing a spot in the Group of 16, which also saw four-time champions Germany unceremoniously crashing out of the tournament.<\/p>\n
The Germans had claimed a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in their last Group E match, which was still insufficient as they tumbled out at the first hurdle for the second consecutive time, only managing to finish third in the standings on Thursday, behind Spain on goal difference, with Japan topping the group.<\/p>\n
If the results had ended up with Japan either drawing 1-1 or lost, Germany would have scraped through on goal difference.<\/p>\n
This being the first time in their illustrious World Cup history that Germany had ignominiously failed to win any of their first two group matches despite securing a win on their last attempt, they will now be departing Qatar with heads drooping.<\/p>\n
“For me personally this is an absolute catastrophe,” Germany forward Thomas M\u00fcller, 33, told ARD, hinting he could now be retiring from international football.<\/p>\n
“If this was my last game, I want to say a few words to our fans who have supported me for years. I have always tried to leave my heart on the field.”<\/p>\n
Spain had appeared comfortably in control even until half-time after taking the lead through Alvaro Morata’s early header.<\/p>\n
However a resilient, proactive Japan decided to rewrite the script and immediately turned things around in the space of five minutes at the start of the second half when substitute Ritsu Doan levelled with an equalizer before Ao Tanaka put the Japanese ahead with another, albeit a controversial one.<\/p>\n
The goal was allowed to stand following a lengthy VAR review after the ball appeared to have gone out of play.<\/p>\n
Spain desperately rallied hard as they pushed for an equalizer and Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda pulled off an instinctive reactionary save to repel a low drive from Asensio before then collecting Dani Olmo’s angled shot at the near post as Japan celebrated another remarkable victory and a place in the last 16.<\/p>\n
They will now meet Group F runner-up Croatia in the next round.<\/p>\n
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