Japan 2-1 Spain: They've done it again! Japanese produce another stunning second-half World Cup turnaround to TOP their group, with Spain through on goal difference and Germany OUT after Ao Tanaka's controversial winner
- Japan pulled off another stunning World Cup upset as they defeated Spain to claim top spot in Group E
- They were totally outclassed for 45 minutes but inspired substitutes changed the game as Japan won 2-1
- Ritsu Doan, one of those substitutes, cancelled out Alvaro Morata's opener before Ao Tanaka added a second
- The second Japan goal proved incredibly controversial, with Spain claiming it had already gone out of play
- A VAR check determined it had just stayed in and from there Japan held on, with Spain through as runners-up
- It means Japan will take on Group F runners-up Croatia in the last-16 with Spain taking on Morocco next
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Ao Tanaka was the hero of the night but wouldn't have argued had the call gone against him. Luis Enrique, meanwhile, was in a state of shock over the call but was too angry to dwell on it.
Hansi Flick, on the other hand, will be utterly furious today when he studies the call because that is the reason Germany have been bounced out of another World Cup at the group stage, Japan are daring to dreaming and Spain are thankful they live to fight another day.
The decision made by VAR in the 54th minute to award Japan a goal needs a title such as the call because it was so remarkable, so dramatic and far-reaching in its consequence and so utterly hard to comprehend that it will be debated, in Germany especially, for years.
![Ritsu Doan changed the game off the bench for Japan as they stunned Spain to go through to the last-16 as Group E winners](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65147135-11490127-image-a-75_1669929224177.jpg)
Ritsu Doan changed the game off the bench for Japan as they stunned Spain to go through to the last-16 as Group E winners
![Ao Tanaka (second left) scored the decisive goal just three minutes after Doan had equalised to send Japan's fans wild](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65149381-11490127-image-a-77_1669929268433.jpg)
Ao Tanaka (second left) scored the decisive goal just three minutes after Doan had equalised to send Japan's fans wild
![Spain - and Germany, who have been eliminated - will be furious at Japan's second goal as they claim the ball was already out](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65149403-11490127-image-a-79_1669929272279.jpg)
Spain - and Germany, who have been eliminated - will be furious at Japan's second goal as they claim the ball was already out
![Luis Enrique's side dominated with 78 per cent possession in the first half but looked a totally different team in second half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65149421-11490127-image-a-80_1669929297936.jpg)
Luis Enrique's side dominated with 78 per cent possession in the first half but looked a totally different team in second half
![There were tears at full-time from Japan's fans as they pulled off a famous comeback win, adding to their win over Germany](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65149847-11490127-image-a-94_1669929773978.jpg)
There were tears at full-time from Japan's fans as they pulled off a famous comeback win, adding to their win over Germany
![The Japanese players went over to their jubilant supporters at the end to celebrate what will go down as an all-time success](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65149849-11490127-image-a-96_1669929777572.jpg)
The Japanese players went over to their jubilant supporters at the end to celebrate what will go down as an all-time success
Was the ball out in the 51st minute when substitute Kaora Mitoma strained to cut a pass back for Tanaka to finish and give Japan a 2-1 advantage? Everyone thought so; even Tanaka, who cautiously acknowledged it could have been taken off him.
'From my angle, I think the ball was clearly half out,' said Tanaka. 'But I could not see because of the speed and I was concentrating on scoring. There was always a possibility that it was out, so if it was out I would not have been disappointed. In the end, it was a goal so that was great.'
Half out? He was being coy. It looked to be so far out on initial television replays that you wondered why VAR was even being consulted. But they checked and checked and checked some more. And, finally, they decided: goal.
'I saw an image and it must be wrong,' said Spain head coach Enrique, whose eyes were as wide as saucers. 'That picture can't be true! I knew something was wrong because the VAR was taking so long. We have qualified but I have nothing to celebrate.'
You can guarantee he wouldn't have celebrated for a long, long time had Costa Rica beaten Germany in Al Khor. For a short period in the second half, Spain were effectively out of the World Cup when Germany were losing 2-1. They turned it around to win 4-2 but ended up being eliminated.
![The win for Japan saw them leapfrog Spain into top spot, with Germany's 4-2 win over Costa Rica not enough to pass Spain](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65149013-11490127-image-a-83_1669929343572.jpg)
The win for Japan saw them leapfrog Spain into top spot, with Germany's 4-2 win over Costa Rica not enough to pass Spain
![Alvaro Morata set Spain on their way in a dominant first half as he headed in unmarked after just 11 minutes of action](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65145427-11490127-image-a-84_1669929682714.jpg)
Alvaro Morata set Spain on their way in a dominant first half as he headed in unmarked after just 11 minutes of action
![Morata (right) split the centre backs and had the enviable task of heading into the bottom corner from inside the six-yard box](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65146611-11490127-image-a-87_1669929688862.jpg)
Morata (right) split the centre backs and had the enviable task of heading into the bottom corner from inside the six-yard box
'We were knocked out for three minutes?' said Enrique, his incredulity now off the scale. 'I was not paying attention to the other match, when did that happen? I didn't know this. I'm not happy because we were defeated by Japan. If I had found out I would have had a heart attack.'
And to think this had all started so simply. In the 12th minute, Hidemasa Morita tried to help out in his penalty area but succeeded only in clearing to Nico Williams. He took a touch, nudged a pass to Cesar Azpilicueta, who took a touch and crossed for Alvaro Morata, who headed in from six yards.
For the next half-hour, Spain passed it around beautifully. Nobody took an extra touch, it was all control and move, the ball pop, pop, popping from one red shirt to another, making the idea this game was actually a contest seem daft.
So in control were Enrique's side that their possession statistics rose as quickly as the temperature does on the streets of Seville on a hot day – 78 per cent on 14 minutes, 80 per cent on 25 minutes, 83 per cent by half-time. By the final whistle, they had made more than 1,000 passes.
But, at the back of your mind, a thought was nagging away. They had been similarly in charge against Germany yet only managed to find one way through and ended up getting their noses bloodied in the final few moments. Surely it wouldn't happen again? It did.
On the touchline, immaculately dressed in a suit with a pristine white shirt and tie, Japan's manager Hajime Moriyasu looked like businessman preparing for the morning commute rather than someone who was set to mastermind another stunning comeback. He shouldn't have been underestimated.
His first decisions at the interval were to withdraw Yuto Nagatomo and Takefusa Kubo, who plays for Real Madrid, and replace them with Ritsu Doan and Mitoma. Within six minutes, that changed had reaped quite spectacular dividends and turned this group completely upside down.
![Japan looked totally transformed and substitutes, including Doan and Takuma Asano (pictured), shifted the momentum](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65149831-11490127-image-a-88_1669929710550.jpg)
Japan looked totally transformed and substitutes, including Doan and Takuma Asano (pictured), shifted the momentum
![It was attack versus defence at the end but Japan dug in, held firm and there was plenty of relief at the sound of the whistle](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65149373-11490127-image-a-90_1669929715569.jpg)
It was attack versus defence at the end but Japan dug in, held firm and there was plenty of relief at the sound of the whistle
![Maya Yoshida (left) and Yuto Nagatomo (middle) celebrate in front of their supporters, and a hoard of photographers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65149851-11490127-image-a-93_1669929761460.jpg)
Maya Yoshida (left) and Yuto Nagatomo (middle) celebrate in front of their supporters, and a hoard of photographers
Unai Simon, Spain's goalkeeper, was culpable for Japan's equaliser, allowing a shot from Doan to go through his hologram hands, before the match and the group was turned upside by Tanaka's finish. This was so tight a call, even Hawkeye would have struggled.
From there, Spain barely threatened but still they got through. The Stadium announcer boomed as the players left the pitch that it had been 'an amazing, incredible night'. For once, this wasn't giddy hyperbole. It was actually the right call.
'We are qualified for the round of 16 but not in the way we expected,' said Enrique. 'We had the ball for 80 minutes but we were defeated. This is what happens in football. Many times you can't explain things.'
And that, in a nutshell, encapsulated it all. An amazing night, indeed.
RECAP: Sportsmail's live blog for the World Cup Group E clash between Japan and Spain.
Agony for Germany but, truth be told, they only have themselves to blame after throwing victory away against Japan.
From there they stumbled to a draw with Spain and thereafter it wasn't in their hands.
What a moment for Japan, though. Historic stuff.
What an incredible turnaround.
That was quite extraordinary. Germany are out, as are Costa Rica.
Japan finish as Group E winners and will play Croatia next. Spain are the runners-up and they will take on Morocco, who won Group F.
Japan's second goal was highly controversial and no doubt the German press will be absolutely furious tomorrow over that one.
Celebratory breakfast, perhaps?
90+6min: Dani Olmo skews wide and that's a poor effort in the circumstances... seconds left now!
What an atmosphere, what a moment for Japan
90+4min: Japan are now just booting it as far away from their goal as they can.
They are SO CLOSE to winning Group E now.
90+2min: Japanese fans are praying in the stands. You can see how much this means.
A goal for Spain now and they top the group with Germany through as runners-up.
SEVEN added minutes!
90min: HUGE chance! That's special give-and-go that sets Dani Olmo free in the area but he side-foots it and that's too easy. He's got to leather that. Comfortable save.
Spain remain sat second. Japan are still top. This is incredible drama.
AO Tanaka OFF
Wataru Endo ON
85min: For a brief moment Japan thought they were through one v one on a rare break but Jordi Alba uses his pace to snuff it out.
Spain are running out of time to try and turn this game around and get top spot.
A goal for Germany has taken the jeopardy of them going out away, though, so that's something. It's now Costa Rica 2-3 Germany.
81min: Some brilliant one-two play between Ansu Fati and Marco Asensio but the Barcelona man's cross comes back off him, rather than Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Goal kick.
Japan now look like they have zero interest in playing in the opponent's half. Operation Brick Wall is underway.
79min: You have to say that Ferran Torres has made a difference since coming on. He's now dominating on the right for Spain and is having more of an impact than Marco Asensio, who came on with him.
But for a change, Spain's passing is letting them down in the final third. How they will be wishing they hadn't hooked Alvaro Morata now.
Attack vs Defence now. 11 minutes plus stoppage time left.
76min: Jordi Alba screaming for a foul that he's never going to get. Got to be stronger than that. Brilliant defending from Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu.
74min: Japan are starting to sit into their shape now and news has just filtered back through that Germany are level - and Spain are back into the last-16 as it stands.
Japan need to adopt a higher line than this, you fear. It's becoming more and more dangerous for Japan to go all-out defence.
But credit to them, Spain are creating next to nothing.
Absolute disaster in the other game... Costa Rica have scored again and as a result Spain are going out.
Things have unravelled after a spectacular first half. NOBODY saw this coming at half-time.
Wow.
Daichi Kamada OFF
Takehiro Tomiyasu ON
Gavi / Alejandro Balde OFF
Ansu Fati / Jordi Alba ON
That's one question nobody of a Japanese persuasion cares to answer.
This is the moment that separates the two teams.
Daizen Maeda OFF
Takuma Asano ON
Bringing a striker on - Japan are not sitting on their lead just yet!
61min: Still half an hour of this madness still to play. Spain need to wake up fast.
Japan look a totally different team.
What we wanted before a ball was kicked is what we are getting now.
GOAL in the other game as Costa Rica level against Germany.
This group is chaos now. If Costa Rica find another then both Germany AND Spain will be crashing out.
Nico Williams / Alvaro Morata OFF
Marco Asensio / Ferran Torres ON
Luis Enrique looks furious now and he's shuffling his pack.
56min: So much for that boring first half, eh?
AND THE REFEREE HAS GIVEN IT!
JAPAN LEAD 2-1! That is a stunning decision. The ball looked like it has clearly gone out. Wow - that's a huge call.
Ao Tanaka with the goal.
50min: This is ABSOLUTE CHAOS!
Have Spain come out? Doan dances inside out and flashes it across the back post. On the stretch Mitoma, who has also come on, flicks it back in and it's knocked in but the referee rightly chalks it off.
Ritsu Doan, this is sensational.
48min: Wow, wow, wow!
Alejandro Balde fails to clear and Ritsu Doan, who has just come on, rifles one into the net.
Unai Simon will be disappointed though. He's got hands on it but is beaten by the pace.
Stay like this and Japan are through! Now we have lift off in this game
Cesar Azpilicueta is off for Spain in place of Dani Carvajal.
For Japan it's Ritsu Doan and Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma on in place of Yuto Nagatomo and Takefusa Kubo.
This... is incredibly believable after watching that first half.
Rodri in particular has been immense.
POSSESSION
Spain - 78%
In contest - 8%
Japan - 14%
SPAIN - SHOTS
Total - 5
On target - 3
Off target - 1
Blocked - 1
JAPAN - SHOTS
Total - 2
On target - 0
Off target - 2
Total dominance - and yet there's only a single goal in it, which came from the head of Alvaro Morata.
Japan need to change something or they are heading out here.
He can't have any complaints with that.
Late challenge on Gavi has the referee with no hesitation at brandishing the first booking.
44min: Germany are still leading Costa Rica 1-0 so as things stand Japan are out. But they know one goal now will see them through - just.
As dispiriting as this half has been, it's far from over yet.
41min: Errant pass from Balde to Pedri but the full-back races back, gets in front of Ao Tanaka and shields it out for a goal-kick.
Another false dawn for Japan. This must be so demoralising.
Writing his name into the history books...
35min: This has been so, so impressive so far from Spain. Even when they prove to us they are human and a pass goes astray, they win it back seconds later.
There's one moment of genuine panic when a backpass is smashed at Unai Simon and he has to scramble to clear - but even then he deftly picks out the right back. The passing is off the charts good.
Possession must be up past 75 per cent and Luis Enrique is stood out in his technical area applauding.
I'd do the same but that's not going to help sending these live updates...
31min: Spain are the masters of keeping possession and this is starting to feel like a training session... which doesn't do much for the contest, really
25min: The offside flag goes up - correctly - but what a move that is.
Rodri bursts forward from centre back and he feeds a through ball to goal scorer Morata. The striker squeezes a cross into the six-yard box to Dani Olmo before it is deflected away.
It's a joy to see Spain, particularly the midfield of Gavi-Busquets-Pedri.
One-two touch and they are free and away. Marvellous.
23min: A Mexican wave is already going around the ground.
That early goal has really sucked the jeopardy out of this game - and this group, to a point.
Japan need a tactical tweak to try and find a way to get up the pitch. Spain looks like they have sucked the life out of these Japanese players and we're halfway through the first half.
19min: Japan looked scared to commit here and you can see that Spain sense that with the way they are pressing the wing-backs.
Get another and Japan risk going under here.
16min: Credit to Alvaro Morata. He takes a lot of flak and criticism but that's three goals in all three group stage games so far. If Spain go the distance in Qatar don't bet against him claiming the golden boot.
Japan's plan is clear here, a back five to try and frustrate and keep things tight. But given Germany are already 1-0 up against Costa Rica, and Spain are winning, Japan are out as things stand.
They'll have to go for it eventually.
12min: He's not offside on this one! Morata splits the centre backs and that's a free header inside the six-yard box from a Cesar Azpilicueta cross.
That's 30 goals for his country now and they don't come much easier than that. Japan will be cursing how straightforward that was.
10min: Alvaro Morata plants a near post header from a quality ball in from the left by Dani Olmo but that's easy for Shuichi Gonda.
I don't get this "he's caught it too well" rhetoric. It wasn't close to going in... and he was offside. Stop this.
8min: Now Busquets almost COSTS Spain as he's loose in possession on the edge of his own box and after a bit of pinball in the area, Unai Simon is relieved to see a right-sided effort from Junya Ito smash the side netting
7min: Nico Williams makes a dart down the right after a clever pick out by Gavi. His cross is then inches away from Dani Olmo.
It breaks out to the edge of the area but Sergio Busquets can only fire over.
Both keepers yet to be properly tested.
5min: Commentator has got confused between Ghana's Inaki Williams and his brother Nico, who plays for Spain. Can confirm Nico is playing, not Inaki, for Luis Enrique's side.
First chance for Japan as Takefusa Kubo bursts down the right, gets in behind Alejandro Balde, but the cut-back is... cut-out. Let off for Spain.
2min: Spain in red, Japan in blue, and it's a beautiful sight out there in contrast to the green, green grass of the Khalifa International Stadium.
It looks like a back five for Japan so they seem to be keen to keep it tight as long as possible.
A tried and tested 4-3-3 for Spain and it is they who has started more confidently in possession. A cross wide right from teenage superstar Gavi is too long for Dani Olmo though...
Vamos, as they'd say in Spain.
We're underway. Big 90 minutes ahead.
Players lined up in the tunnel and are ready to head out.
I'll tell you what, the 5K quality cameras they are using in the tunnels are absolutely brilliant.
Here they come, then. Moments away from kick-off.
All to play for - and both know a win secures top spot!
Lots of twists and turns to come throughout the evening with everything to play for in Group E
Japan: Gonda, Itakura, Yoshida, Taniguchi, Junya Ito, Morita, Tanaka, Nagatomo, Kamada, Maeda, Kubo.
Subs: Kawashima, Yamane, Endo, Shibasaki, Doan, Mitoma, Minamino, Tomiyasu, Asano, Sakai, Machino, Ueda, Schmidt, Soma, Hiroki Ito.
Spain: Simon, Azpilicueta, Rodri, Pau Torres, Balde, Gavi, Busquets, Gonzalez, Williams, Morata, Olmo.
Subs: Sanchez, Garcia, Llorente, Koke, Asensio, Ferran Torres, Raya, Guillamon, Pino, Jordi Alba, Carlos Soler, Carvajal, Sarabia, Laporte, Fati.
Referee: Victor Gomes (South Africa)
Incredible atmosphere in the stands and there is still 20 minutes until kick-off!
That end full of Japanese fans is absolutely bouncing, full of banners and tifos for their players.
Looking forward to this one.
Meanwhile, both sets of players are continuing their warm-ups before they go back in for their final instructions.
Lots of praise at the moment for Sergio Busquets in the middle of Spain's midfield.
He's the elder statesman, flanked by Gavi and Pedri, and Gary Neville is waxing lyrical, calling Busquets the 'conductor'.
Word of warning though, pick up a booking tonight and Busquets will be suspended for the last-16 if Spain go through.
I've got a lot of time for this.
Total commitment to the costumes.
Both sets of players going through the motions in their warm-ups now.
Kick-off is closing in at the Khalifa International stadium...
The state of play... and what needs to happen for each team in Group E to progress.
READ IT ALL BELOW.
Spain's players and coaches are looking suave as they arrive at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Less than an hour now until kick-off!
Japan XI vs SPAIN (4-2-3-1): Gonda; Taniguchi, Yoshida, Itakura, Nagatomo; Morita, Ito; Tanaka, Kamada, Kubo; Maeda.
Make that FIVE changes for Japan as well, with Shogo Taniguchi, Junya Ito, Ao Tanaka, Takefusa Kubo and Daizen Maeda in from the start
Can confirm I do not possess the ability to pull off three-quarter trousers. A crying shame.
Meanwhile, Japan team news is due imminently.
SPAIN XI vs JAPAN (4-3-3): Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, Rodri, Pau Torres, Balde; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Nico Williams, Morata, Dani Olmo
So that's FIVE changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Germany as Jordi Alba, Aymeric Laporte, Dani Carvajal, Marco Asensio and Ferran Torres drop out
Belgium's Golden - or should we say Olden - Generation are out as Croatia ground out a 0-0 draw to reach the last-16.
They will now follow Group E with added interest as they await the group winners in the last-16.
FULL MATCH REPORT BELOW.
Win tonight and they are through as group winners - it's as simple as that for Japan
Morocco are through as GROUP F WINNERS... meaning they await the runner-up in Group E.
The African side will be glued to events this evening, no doubt.
READ THE FULL MATCH REPORT BELOW.
It's hard not to love Spain's kit... the classic red and yellow.
Well, those shirts have been pressed and hung up inside the dressing room ready for Luis Enrique's side.
Unlike the rest of us, Spain's Aymeric Laporte isn't glued to his TV screen to keep track of results and matches out in Qatar.
The Man City star is part of Spain's World Cup bid, playing both their 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica and their 1-1 draw with Germany.
Laporte is so detatched from it all he doesn't even know kick-off times of games - that goes for club and country - and his interests lay far away from the football pitch.
FULL STORY HERE.
Everything is all laid out for Japan's players inside the Khalifa International Stadium.
Team news won't be too far away now.
So, the key question, who needs what in Group E to progress...
+ Simply put - Japan progress with a win. Should they draw, Spain are through but Japan would need to hope Costa Rica don't win and or Germany don't win, as well as the Germans bettering their goal difference
+ Spain are almost certainly through - but if they lose to Japan and Costa Rica beat Germany they will be out
+ A shock win would take Costa Rica through - and the Central America side could even progress with a draw if Spain defeat Japan
+ Germany need to win, hope Spain beat Japan and they must better Japan's goal difference, which is currently two better off
Capacity: 45,416 Distance from Doha city centre: 8 miles
This was one of the only stadiums to have been opened before the World Cup was awarded to Qatar, with it initially built in 1976. It also hosted the Emir Cup final in May last year in front of 40,000 spectators.
It has been the country's national stadium since it opened and has been extensively renovated to host the World Cup.
It has previously hosted the Asian Games, the Gulf Cup and the AFC Asian Cup and hosted the IAAF World Athletics Championships in 2019.
England played Brazil here in an international friendly back in 2009 while Liverpool won the FIFA Club World Cup at this venue 10 years later.
The early live action surrounds Group F - and here is how it stands:
CROATIA 0-0 BELGIUM
CANADA 1-2 MOROCCO
Spain coach Luis Enrique has claimed that midfield star Gavi can go and 'define an era' after the 18-year-old's impressive World Cup so far.
Barcelona's teen product became the third youngest goalscorer in World Cup history, behind Pele and Manuel Rosas, during Spain's 7-0 drubbing of Costa Rica and he also started in the grudge match with Germany.
Enrique's decision to call Gavi up for national duty in October last year raised some eyebrows, especially as it came just two months after his Barca debut, but the Spaniard now feels justified as the midfielder continues to shine on the biggest stage.
FULL STORY HERE.
We are here to win seven matches and become champions, so we need to reach the round of 16.
Regardless of who we face in the next round, we must first win against Japan. We are not thinking about finishing second. We want to finish first.
To win a World Cup you have to beat everyone that comes your way. If there is anything I have to say about Japan it is that they are very dynamic, so quick.
They put you under so much pressure and don't give you time to think. We won't have time to implement our style.
They have so many good players like (Daichi) Kamada, (Ao) Tanaka, (Wataru) Endo, (Takefusa) Kubo, and (Takumi) Minamino. They have a lot of players at a high level.
Over the last three days we have prepared well as a team for the match against Spain. Considering the magnitude of this match, I am sure the players will be under a lot of pressure, but I want them to have faith in themselves and each other.
If we can give 100% of our usual effort, good results should follow, so I want the players to give it their all.
Under Luis Enrique, Spain has a great team that has everything - dynamism, technique, and tactics - and shares a consistent football philosophy as a country, from the development age to the senior national team.
Many of the players on their team have also competed in the Olympics. Losing to Spain in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics was a very frustrating and disappointing memory, but the players and I are here with the promise to make the most of that experience. This time we will aim to obtain a result that we can celebrate.
We are not feeling any pressure. If there is, it is over whether we can play to our strengths without regret, but we are fully focused on fighting our way through the group stage. We must savour the occasion and the thrill of going head-to-head with the World Cup champions.
We will fight to the end as a team so that we can deliver results that will please all our supporters, so we ask for your support and cooperation. We are in the world of competition, so it is only natural that we are praised when we win and criticised when we lose, and I am glad that we are able to provoke interest in and discussion about football.
As representatives of Japan, we will fight for Japan on the world stage with the spirit and pride of the Japanese people.
A trip to Japan recently only confirmed what many had said previously - the people of Japan are some of the most welcoming and most respectable in the world.
That is being broadcast to the masses in Qatar with their wide-scale clean-ups after matches.
If only all fans in Qatar were more like Japan's...
FULL STORY BELOW.
The handiwork with paper in the dressing room went viral after their comeback win against Germany in the first round of games.
More Origami magic due this evening, do we think?
PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Spain coach Luis Enrique looks increasingly likely to leave the job to go back to club management at the end of the World Cup, after the president of the Spanish Football Federation said his manager had already turned down a huge offer from the Premier League once before.
The 52-year-old former Barcelona and Roma coach has given his world to Federation president Luis Rubiales that he will sit down with him as soon as the World Cup ends. Rubiales told Cadena Ser that a decision should be made in January by the latest.
FULL STORY BELOW.
So, here's how Group E stands heading into the final round of matches - and here's how we got there.
Germany 1-2 Japan
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Spain 1-1 Germany
Don't say this World Cup isn't serving up drama!
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Japan's final group game match-up with Spain, with both sides holding out hope of winning Group E and progressing into the knockout stages.
All four teams in Group E - including Costa Rica and Germany in the other game - can still progress and so getting a result this evening is vital for all of them.
Spain go into this match top of the standings with four points while Japan are second, with three points from a possible six.
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