(Football news) Few people would have predicted that Japan would be the winners of Group E of the 2022 World Cup considering that Spain and Germany were in it but that’s exactly what happened when the Blue Samurai pulled off another historic upset to defeat Spain 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium. The result meant that Spain progressed as runners-up, finishing second ahead of Germany due to goal difference.

La Roja’s Alvaro Morata scored the opening goal in the 11th minute in a dominating first half by Luis Enrique’s side but substitute Ritsu Doan equalised in the 48th minute and Ao Tanaka scored the winner just three minutes later. The cut-back by Kaoru Mitoma appeared to have gone out of play but a lengthy VAR check was ruled in favour of Japan as the full curvature of the ball appeared to have not crossed the line. The result means that Spain will now face Morocco in the last 16 while leaders Japan will take on 2018 finalists Croatia.

\”We are classified for the round of 16, which was the goal, but I am not happy at all. After a match in which the rival was dominated for 80 minutes, but we were the ones who lost. I have nothing to celebrate, I don\’t celebrate defeats. Yes, we are qualified, but I would have liked to be on top of the group and of course now the brackets (of the draw) change and many things are different.

“In five minutes they scored two goals and in those 10 minutes, they completely dismantled us. We have entered collapse mode. If they had needed to score two more goals, they would have scored them against us. I have full confidence in my players. Just 10 minutes of panic are not going to change what I think. My job is now to lift up the spirits. If I had found out [that Costa Rica was at one point leading Germany], I would have had a heart attack.\”

Spain manager Luis Enrique

\”We played against Spain, one of the best teams in the world and we knew before the game that this was going to be very tough and difficult, and indeed it was. The players conceded one goal, but they persisted and in very difficult circumstances, they did very well. There were many fans who came all the way from Japan, as well as those that stayed behind in Japan. We are gifting this win to the people of Japan and we are very happy about it.\”

Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu

In the other Group E game, Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2 at the Al Bayt Stadium but crashed out of the Group Stage for the second consecutive time. Hansi Flick’s side collected just 1 point from their opening two games and desperately needed a win against Costa Rica while hoping that Spain do them a favour by defeating Japan. While the Germans did manage to win, the Blue Samurai’s victory over 2010 World Cup winners meant that Die Mannschaft were eliminated from a World Cup Group Stage once again.

Serge Gnabry opened the scoring in the 10th minute but a second-half strike from Yeltsin Tejeda (58) and an own goal by Manuel Neuer in the 70th minute meant that both Costa Rica and Japan would have qualified from Group E at the expense of Spain and Germany. However, substitute Kai Havertz changed the game by scoring two goals in the 73rd and 85th minute Niclas Fullkrug made it 4-2 in the 89th minute. It was a bittersweet victory for Hansi Flick’s team as they finished third in the group on goal difference.

\”In the first half I was disappointed and very angry at my team and how we allowed the opponent to come back. We wanted to score three or four goals in the first half but then we made mistakes. But the tournament was not decided today for us. We did not have any efficiency at this tournament and that is why we were eliminated. If you know me and my team, I know we can get up quickly and recover from that. We will work on a future that is very important and very decisive, and we will see how we can implement our idea.

“In light of the European Championship, it is difficult to talk about that right now after elimination. Now we need to assess our work during the World Cup, and head into a different direction. This is the next step we are going to undertake and we will do that very soon. For the future of German football, we need to train differently. For years we\’ve been talking about new goalkeepers and wingbacks, but what was always good was that we defended well. We need the basics to be right.\”

Germany head coach Hansi Flick

\”In this World Cup, we showed what Costa Rica are. I am very calm that we can leave with our heads high. I am so proud of this squad, they are so special. I am so proud of them, more than ever before. I leave with a feeling of sadness, not because we lost but that we are leaving. It\’s tough to experience this as a coach, even more so in the World Cup. The most important thing is there is so much room for improvement. In the next four years there are things we need to change, but we need to build on everything we have done in the past few years.\”

Costa Rica head coach Luis Fernando Suarez

Also read: Should the World Cup rank teams based on fair play?

Group E