FIFA World Cup : Spain vs Japan

 Japan continued their giant killing spree as they defeated a much fancied Spain 2-1 in their last group match. the results meant that Japan qualified being top of the group while Spain are also through as the 2nd team, thanks to their huge win against Costa Rica earlier in the group. 

Spain took an early lead, as Morata scored in the 10th minute heading in, breathing down on the Japanese keeper to a beautiful cross on the right flank from Azpilicueta. This was Morata's 3rd goal of the tournament, making him the joint leader along with Mbappe, Valencia, Gakpo, & Rashford, all in the race for the Golden Boot. At that stage it looked curtains for Japan, as their supporters looked to rue their missed opportunity to win against Costa Rica, a game that they lost 0-1. At half time, Spanish armada was ruling the pitch, & with Germany 1-0 up against Costa Rica in the other match, it was Spain & Germany looking good to qualify to next round. Spain looked in complete command with their possession & positional play, as Japan looked hapless & out of ideas.

2nd half had a completely different story to tell, as the Samurai warriors came out all guns blazing & catching the rather complacent Spanish team by surprise. First they made a couple of important changes, & in the 48th minute, substitute Ritsu Doan, seized the ball at the edge of the box from some clumsy defending by Balde & Pau Torres & unleashed a bullet of a shot into the top corner of the net past a flailing Unai Simon, who could only get his finger tips for no avail. Before Spain could react & get out of their slumber, Japan scored again, as Doan controlled the ball in the Spanish half & square passed it to Mitoma, who then placed it to Tanaka, who in turn placed the ball in the net, as the Spanish defenders looked in horror. The referee initially ruled it as out of play, but a VAR check confirmed the goal(replays show the ball millimeters inside the goal line or was it out !!), as the ecstatic Japanese contingent & supporters went into rapturous celebrations. Spain suddenly looked completely rattled & out of ideas, as Luis Enrique tried hard to regroup his players. The swagger & poise of their game was lost. Ansu Fati & Jordi Alba were brought in to infuse spark, but the now recharged Japanese defense held firm. At this stage, on the other match, Costa Rica were leading Germany 2-1, which meant Spain were crashing out along with Germany in what seemed like a massive upset for the World Cup. In the dying moments of the game, Olmo had the Japanese keeper at his mercy but his shooting was poor as the keeper Gonda, clutched the ball gleefully. 

Eventually, Germans beat Costa Rica 4-2, in a ding dong battle, which meant that while Germans were out, Spain qualified by better goal difference. The facile 7-0 win against Costa Rica had saved them the blushes of embarrassment. 

Japan top the group & they will face Croatia in the round of 16, while Spain will meet Morocco. Close shave for Spain & hope they learn & regroup from this slip up, as now it will be knockouts. Japan can revel in glory for the giant killing feats already, having consumed Germany earlier & Spain today.