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Full time -- Japan are through
Spain are probably going to join them but we do have to wait and see for a moment or two. It would take a mad goal difference swing though.
Germany out of World Cup by razor-thin margin thanks to Japan's second goal in upset win over Spain
The surprises in Qatar just kept coming on Thursday with Spain finished second after losing to Japan
Group E of the World Cup reached a frantic conclusion on Thursday as four-time champions Germany were bounced from the group stage as Japan won the group with a shocking 2-1 victory over Spain. The Spanish advanced as the second-place team.
Germany trailed Los Ticos 2-1 and rallied for a 4-2 victory, but it did not matter as Hansi Flick's men needed Spain to beat or tie Japan for them to have any chance. The Germans have now been eliminated in the group stage in back-to-back World Cups.
The day began with the most conceivable path being for Germany to win and have Spain beat Japan, but as things played out, there came a moment where Spain getting a goal in extra time would have put Germany through and sent Japan home.
The Spain vs. Japan game gave us a moment that may just be tattooed in our brains for the rest of our lives. It came right before Ao Tanaka scored what would be the winning goal, and as the ball was headed out of bounds, Kaoru Mitoma got a touch on it, seemingly keeping it in for Tanaka to finish.
The ball looked like it went out, and it even had former World Cup ref Mark Clattenburg fooled on the Fox broadcast, who suggested the call would be overturned. But it wasn't. It stood, and it was quite the surprise. Here's the video of the goal:
Just look at how close this one. It seems like there might be a little bit of grass between the ball and the line? It was really tough to tell.
Japan, meanwhile, pulled off one of the crazier group stage performances we've ever seen, beating contenders Spain and Germany but losing to a below-average Costa Rica team. As a result, Japan will face Croatia in the round of 16, while Spain will take on Morocco.
Just another day at the 2022 World Cup.
Final Group E table
| GROUP E | MP | W-D-L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Japan | 3 | 2-0-1 | +1 | 6 |
Spain | 3 | 1-1-1 | +6 | 4 |
Germany | 3 | 1-1-1 | +1 | 4 |
Costa Rica | 3 | 1-0-2 | -8 | 3 |
- Japan: Group winners
- Spain: Group runners-up
- Germany: Eliminated.
- Costa Rica: Eliminated.
Final Group F table
| GROUP F | MP | W-D-L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Morocco | 3 | 2-1-0 | +3 | 7 |
Croatia | 3 | 1-2-0 | +3 | 5 |
Belgium | 3 | 1-1-1 | -1 | 4 |
Canada | 3 | 0-0-3 | -5 | 0 |
- Morocco: Group Winners.
- Croatia: Group runners-up.
- Belgium: Eliminated.
- Canada: Eliminated.
World Cup results
Thursday, Dec. 1
- Canada 1, Morocco 2
- Croatia 0, Belgium 0
- Costa Rica 2, Germany 4
- Japan 2, Spain 1
Check these out …
- What to watch: World Cup schedule
- Who to pick: World Cup predictions
- Who's leading? World Cup standings
- Who's scoring? World Cup leaderboard
Updates
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FT: Germany are out!
Unbelievable: Germany are out of the 2022 World Cup despite winning 4-2 against Costa Rica.
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Bracket outlook
With these results, Germany will be packing their bags and leaving Qatar, while Japan will have a date set against Croatia and Spain go to the other side of the bracket where they will play Morocco. Two matchups left to be determined with Brazil and Portugal already qualified into the next round.
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The chances come
It has taken a while for Spain to break through the Japanese backline and twice the team in red get good shots away. Asensio's moves wickedly whilst Torres slips Olmo in behind but he fires straight at Gonda. There are seven minutes of added time for Japan to survive.
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Another one for Germany
Hansi Flick's boys scored the fourth of the game with Niclas Fullkrug who was assisted by Leroy Sane.
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The chances come
It has taken a while for Spain to break through the Japanese backline and twice the team in red get good shots away. Asensio's moves wickedly whilst Torres slips Olmo in behind but he fires straight at Gonda. There are seven minutes of added time for Japan to survive.
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Germany 3, Costa Rica 2
Germany are back ahead in this match thanks to the second goal scored by Kai Havertz. However, at the moment, that's still not enough for Germany considering the current result of Japan vs. Spain.
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Spain are starting to probe
Japan are doing similar to what they did when they took the lead against Germany, packing the box and ceding the wide areas. Spain are seeing so much of the ball and are keeping patient with just 13 minutes to go, but the lock hasn't been picked yet. Spain have weapons to beat you in almost any way except when you have a big height advantage on them like Japan do. Anyone know what Fernando Llorente is up to?
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GOAL - Germany score!
Costa Rica's advantage didn't last so long. Kai Havertz immediately equalizes and Germany are now back in the game.
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GOAL COSTA RICA!!!!!
What's going on here? Again, Costa Rica scored! Juan Pablo Vargas gives Costa Rica a 2-1 lead. As things stand Germany AND Spain are out of the World Cup!
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It's like a different game
I'm not entirely certain Spain have had a shot in the second half. They've been totally and utterly played off the park and Luis Enrique's changes have made no difference whatsoever. You would think that Japan are the team we've got second in our power rankings and they've even brought on a Premier League leader in Takehiro Tomiyasu to tighten things up. Spain, meanwhile, introduce Ansu Fati and Jordi Alba.
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Musiala hit the post
Germany immediately reacted with Musiala who hit the post but failed to score. Germany need to score at least another one and Musiala is creating a lot of chances here.
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Wow, wow, wow
Just a quick note on how things stand right now. Japan are on course to top the group having, and I'm laughing saying this, with victories over Spain and Germany and a defeat to Costa Rica. Spain would finish second with a sizeable goal difference lead over *checks note* Costa Rica!
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GOAL - Costa Rica!!!
Can you believe it? Costa Rica equalized! Yeltsin Tejeda grabs a goal to bring things level at 1-1 at Al Bayt Stadium.
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GOAL - Japan lead!!
The Blue Samurai are swarming on the Spanish with an intensity that I have rarely seen at this tournament. He flies down the right and his low cross is pushed back into play at the far byline by Mitoma, cutting it across for Tanaka to put into an empty net. We'll have a lengthy VAR check because it looks like the ball went across the line before Mitoma could touch it. But no, it didn't all go across the line. What a twist!
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GOAL - Doan does it again
Japan hurtle forward on the press, forcing a loose clearance by Simon. They get the second ball and Doan drives to the edge of the box, a firm shot but one Simon gets two hands on. He could have done better than to push it into the net.
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Changes for the second half by Japan
As sure as night follows day we've got swaps to the Japan side and quite possibly the system as the pressing intensity rockets up from the outset. That's led by Mitoma and Doan, who is about to make an immediate impact...
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We're back
Games have resumed and Germany decided to make one change as Lukas Klostermann has replaced Leon Goretzka. Costa Rica also decided to change Brandon Aguilera who was replaced by Youstin Salas.
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HT: Japan 0, Spain 1
That has been so very excellent from Spain at their best. The composure and zip in midfield, the ability to decelerate and accelerate the game, the speed with which they turn and carry: it's really the best I have seen at this tournament. Japan are playing well just to stay in this. But they need something remarkable to turn the tide.
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HT: Germany 1, Costa Rica 0
Germany are ahead after the first part of the match thanks to the goal scored by Serge Gnabry. Hansi Flick's men tried to score another one but failed until now while Costa Rica had a big opportunity to equalize in the last part of the first half. Germany are currently second in the group but need to score as soon as possible to avoid a possible comeback in the second part of the match.
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Neuer saves!
Huge chance for Costa Rica with Keysher Fuller, who also scored the winning goal against Japan. The right back took advantage of a defensive mistake of David Raum and Antonio Rudiger and he almost scored the equalizer but Manuel Neuer was careful enough to save the potential goal.
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Chance for Gnabry
Huge chance for Serge Gnabry who went close to score a stunner but his attempt went wide. Germany are now pushing more and more and are trying to score their second goal.
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Still hope for Japan
There have been half flashes in the last few minutes -- and even that is a generous description for a few offside runs and Tanaka messing up his control outside the box -- that might give Japan hope as this game wears on. Spain seem happy to coast and we've seen that Moriyasu can change games with his substitutes. Whilst it's still 1-0 here (and 1-0 for Germany) then Japan are just a goal away from qualification.
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Germany still pushing
Hansi Flick's team is still pushing to score another goal since they definitely need to win to go to the next round. They are keeping the ball and already had more than four chances to score again. Costa Rica, as we could expect, are struggling
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Spain don't look like letting it slip
There is such intensity coming from Luis Enrique's side, who have put their boot on Japan since the opener. In a moment they can go from slowly stringing together dozens of passes to ripping up the field, unleashing a fast-running Morata in behind the high Japanese line. When your team mates have the technical excellence of Busquets, Pedri and Gavi then there is pretty much no situation that is too high pressured for you to trust giving them the ball.
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GOAL! Morata does it again
What a tournament this guy is having, three goals in his first World Cup, 30 goals in 60 appearances. Not bad for a striker with such a poor reputation, is it? Cesar Azpilicueta puts in a teasing cross from the right and he rises to flick it into the net from close range.
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All the dominance but just one mistake from Spain...
This has been eight or nine minutes of probing and possession with two dangerous crosses flashing in from the right flank, where Nico Williams looks to be a bit of a tyro and is pairing well with Gavi. However one loose pass at the back by Sergio Busquets and Japan get their chance, four or five bodies flying forward to attack the box after Maeda lays it back. The passes aren't quite incisive enough however and ultimately Ito smashes the ball into the near post. He'll soon be made to regret that...
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GOAL - Germany ahead!
Germany are ahead after the opening goal of Serge Gnabry. The Bayern Munich striker scored with a nice header but also great play from David Raum who assisted his teammate.
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