AL RAYYAN, Qatar — Japan staged a heroic comeback against Spain to win 2-1 and book their place in the round of 16 at the World Cup.
Spain led through Alvaro Morata’s early goal but Japan, who couldn’t manage a shot on target in the first half, turned the game around shortly after the break with two goals during a frantic three-minute spell thanks to halftime substitute Ritsu Doan and then Ao Tanaka.
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Tanaka’s goal was initially ruled out after the ball was judged to have run out of play before Kaoru Mitoma‘s cut-back but VAR overturned the decision and gave Japan the three points they needed to be sure of a place in the knockout rounds.
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Rapid Reaction
1. Japan’s special run continues
Japan gave notice four years ago that they’re not phased by facing heavyweight opposition at the World Cup when they almost dumped Belgium out in the round of 16, but what they have already done in Qatar is something special.
Despite being drawn in a tough group, there was a quiet confidence at home about what Hajime Moriyasu’s team might be able to achieve. Very few would have expected to top Group E by beating both Germany and Spain. Even more remarkable is that Japan were a goal down in both games and battled back — a warning to any team they face in the knockout rounds that they are never out of a contest.
Since qualifying for their first World Cup in 1998, Japan have never reached the quarterfinals but they have already shown here that anything is possible, starting with a knockout round matchup against Croatia on Monday.
It also becomes full circle for Moriyasu, who played in a World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Qatar in 1993 which became known as “the tragedy of Doha” after Japan conceded a stoppage time equaliser to deny them an appearance at the 1994 tournament.
This result will surely soothe that painful memory for Moriyasu as his team continue an improbable run in Qatar.
