Spain DELIBERATELY lost to Japan to avoid meeting favourites Brazil in the World Cup quarter-finals, claims Real Madrid and Mexico legend Hugo Sanchez... after their shock defeat knocked Germany out
- Spain were beaten by Japan, meaning they finished second in their group
- Hugo Sanchez thinks Spain were happy to lose their final group game
- He believes they deliberately lost to avoid playing Brazil in the quarter-finals
- Spain's defeat led to Germany being eliminated at the group stage
- PETE JENSON: Japan exposed Spain's ADDICTION to taking risks in defence
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Spain deliberately lost to Japan in order to avoid Brazil in the quarter-finals, Mexico World Cup legend Hugo Sanchez has suggested.
The former Real Madrid forward who played in three World Cups for Mexico was asked by an ESPN presenter: ‘You are assuring me that Spain looked for this result to avoid Brazil?’
And as reported by Diario AS the former striker said: ‘I assure you. I was not there and I’m not in the mind of Luis Enrique but he had thought about what was the best way to avoid playing Brazil in the quarter-finals. Yes there is a risk but it’s a risk worth taking. It’s not that they fear Brazil but they respect them.’
![Hugo Sanchez thinks Spain deliberately lost to Japan to avoid playing Brazil in the last eight](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/13/65172993-11495091-image-m-84_1669987155580.jpg)
Hugo Sanchez thinks Spain deliberately lost to Japan to avoid playing Brazil in the last eight
![Japan's controversial second goal to seal all three points meant Spain finished second](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/13/65173061-11495091-image-a-102_1669987324337.jpg)
Japan's controversial second goal to seal all three points meant Spain finished second
When fellow pundits raised eyebrows at the suggestion Sanchez added: ‘The coach is never going to admit it. Managers don’t say: "I let them win".’
The claim is not being taken seriously in Spain especially in view of the controversial way the team went behind against Japan and their desperate – albeit failed – attempts to get back into the game.
Luis Enrique was asked before the game about Spain losing to Japan to secure second spot but he flagged up the possibility of Costa Rica winning saying: ‘We have asked ourselves that question but from a professional point of view you can imagine it being 0-0 in both games on minute 95 and Japan score and Costa Rica score and we’re out.’
![Luis Enrique's side will now face Morocco in the last 16 and are on the opposite side of the draw to five-time World Cup winners Brazil](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/13/65172959-11495091-image-a-81_1669987105719.jpg)
Luis Enrique's side will now face Morocco in the last 16 and are on the opposite side of the draw to five-time World Cup winners Brazil
![Brazil are viewed as the favourites to win the World Cup for the sixth time in Qatar](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/13/65173057-11495091-image-a-103_1669987360315.jpg)
Brazil are viewed as the favourites to win the World Cup for the sixth time in Qatar
That was briefly the scenario in the second half although the Spain coach said he was unaware of the three minutes when results as they stood meant Spain where third in the group and going home.
On Friday he posted on Instagram: ‘Close shave or death? Well it was just a close shave. We are in the last-16!!!! Come on!!!’
The last 16 for Spain now means a game against Morocco when them being the ‘away’ side they could have to change the all-red kit their coach as so far favoured.
Should they progress they are likely to meet Portugal in the quarter-finals, so dodging a possible meeting with Brazil – the game that has the conspiracy theorists casting doubt on the defeat by Japan.
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