Japan vs Spain 2-1: World Cup 2022 – as it happened

We’re going to take some time now to process what we’ve just seen tonight. We suggest you do the same.

Here’s to more drama at this World Cup!

The super-sub came off the bench to score against Germany, and he turned the game on its head today, too. He scored the first and was instrumental in completing the second.

We thought the drama of the group stages had peaked last night when Mexico came agonisingly close to qualifying for the knockout stages.

But tonight trumps that. A rollercoaster of emotions, pendulum-like swings in fortunes and mathematical calculations that make your head spin.

And we’ve still got Uruguay vs Ghana to come on Friday.

Nothing beats the drama of the World Cup: the jeopardy, high stakes and the pride of nations, the passion of fans and the huge global audience. Money isn’t the motivation here; it’s more glory and patriotism. Fabulous achievement by Japan, topping a tough group. #FIFAWorldCup

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) December 1, 2022

I don't think Spain should be heartbroken about avoiding that potential quarter-final against Brazil.

— Grace Robertson 🏳️‍⚧️ (@GraceOnFootball) December 1, 2022

Japan had less than 18 percent possession in their emphatic victory over Spain.

JAPAN WIN!

Read the match report here.

He lets fly from 25 yards but drags it wide.

90+6 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain 

Every time they win the ball back, it’s hoofed out.

90+5 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain 

Spain have the ball but they are struggling to get it to their strikers. Backs to the wall for Japan.

90+4 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain

Spain still pushing for a goal.

90+1 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain

Asensio curls a shot from the right but it’s parried by Gonda. Olmo breaks free down the right, but his shot is saved again by Gonda.

90 min: Japan 2-1 Spain

Spain have launched wave after wave of attack, but it has come to nothing. No clear-cut chances for them in the 2nd half.

89 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain

Germany have made it 3-2 against Costa Rica with another Havertz goal in the 85th minute.

Now Spain and Germany both have four points, but Spain would join Japan in qualifying thanks to a better goal difference record than the Germans.

Football. pic.twitter.com/JFY2zJlzlq

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2022

Tanaka is off, Endo is on.

87 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain

Japan almost break through on the counter. Only two defenders in the Spain half and they were almost caught out there. Spain need to be weary of Japan’s speed in transition.

85 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain

With all four teams with a realistic chance of qualifying for the group, the math can get complicated.

Here’s where things stand according to the current two Group E results, which may change at any moment:

Japan will qualify as top of the group with six points; Spain will join them with four points, thanks to a superior goal difference to Costa Rica, who also have four points. Germany will be bottom of the group with two points.

pic.twitter.com/psL53PRII7

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2022

They’ve camped outside the Japan box, looking for chinks in the armour to slip in a through ball. But, Japan have remained resolute in the face of this slow but steady onslaught.

80 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain