FIFA World Cup 2022, Group E: Japan outclass with 2-1 win, cement knockout berth alongside Spain

Japan stormed into the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2022 post defeating their opponents in their final group stage match.

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FIFA World Cup 2022, Group E: Japan outclass with 2-1 win, cement knockout berth alongside Spain

FIFA World Cup 2022, Group E: Japan outclass with 2-1 win, cement knockout berth alongside Spain (Image Source: Twitter)

The ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 hosted by Qatar is fast approaching the Round of 16 stage and many teams have already pulled off an impossible win in the multinational tournament, given Saudi Arabia’s mighty win against Argentina still remains the best game of all.

Japan and Spain competed against each other and it was the former who came out on top at the end of the 90-minute mark. To add more, the first half was all about Álvaro Moratav as he scored the lead for Spain in the 11th minute. 

With the second half resuming at 0-1 in favour of Spain, the Japanese star player Ritsu Doan matched the lead in the 48th minute and Ao Tanaka backed his teammate to score a goal in the 51st minute, enabling Japan to take the lead. Eventually, the match ended with Japan taking home the much-needed 3 points post defeating the Spaniards 2-1. 

Germany end campaign on high in FIFA World Cup 2022

The other match from the group, between Costa Rica and Germany, hit the headlines as the former pulled off a late comeback into the game when the German side were cruising for two-thirds of the game. To add more, Serge Gnabry scored the first-ever goal for Germany in the 10th minute and eventually produced the much-needed start for his team. Despite showing great resilience, the first half ended with a scoreline of 0-1 in Germany’s favour. 

However, Costa Rica’s Yeltsin Tejeda matched the lead in the 58th minute and brought the team back into the game. Juan Pablo Vargas scored yet another goal for Costa Rica in the 70th minute and the joy lasted only for 180 seconds as Kai Havertz bounced back and matched the lead in the 73rd minute and eventually went on to grab a brace for his team in the 85th minute. Eventually, Niclas Füllkrug produced the fourth goal for the team in the 89th minute but in vain as it was Spain who made it through. 

Even though it was Germany who won the match, the Spaniards made it through to the next round by the barest of margins. With the likes of USA, England, Argentina, France and Brazil already in the knockouts, it remains to be seen if Spain can carry on the momentum into the Round of 16 stage as well. As things stand, the match ended with a scoreline in favour of Germany and both teams tried their level best to clinch the much-needed 3 points, to end their campaign on a high. 

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