Group E – Japan have scaled through the Group stages and have successfully reached the last-16 of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar after clinching a fine 2-1 win over Spain at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.
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| Japan players celebrating their 2-1 win over Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2022 match at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar. Photo: @fifaworldcup |
With this outcome, Japan have finished as Group E leaders.
La Roja took the lead early in the 11th minute through Alvaro Morata’s header, however, two fast goals from Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka in the 48th and 51st minutes respectively proved enough for the Asian side to go through into the knockouts of the tournament.
Japan end their preliminaries as toppers of Group E with six points while Spain are runners-up with four points.
The Samurai Blue with slug it out with Croatia in the last-16 of the tournament while Spain will play against North African side, Morocco.
On the other side of the Group, Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2 at the Al Bayt Stadium, however, could not reach the last-16 of the tournament alongside Costa Rica. The European side finished third with four points while the South American side finished fourth with three points.
