Japan defeats Spain 2-1 with only 17.7% possession, and set a World Cup record as the winning team with the least possession. England fans are happy because Germany was bitterly eliminated because of a controversial goal.
Japan defeats Spain. Samurai Blue has made a miracle
In the history of the World Cup, from 1966 to the present, there have been 2 times when a team made more than 700 passes and still lost. These are: the Germany vs Japan match and the Spain vs Japan match at the 2022 World Cup.
Japan are the third team in history to have two comebacks after being led in the first half. Before that, Brazil of the 1938 World Cup and Germany of the 1970 World Cup had won after losing in the first half.
Notably, the two comeback matches in Japan’s World Cup history took place in the 2022 World Cup. They both held the ball under 30% and both ended with a score of 2-1. Japan also became the first Asian team to beat two World Cup winners in a single tournament. SAMURAI BLUE beat Germany (winner 2014) and Spain (winner 2010).
This is also the first time since 2002, Japan has finished the World Cup group stage with the top position. This is also the first time in history that Japan has reached the round of 16 in two consecutive World Cups. In 2018, they lost to Belgium in the knockout round. Japan also just entered the World Cup for the first time in 1998.
- Despite losing, Spain still go deeper with Japan, Germany and Costa Rica were eliminated.
- Spain has long thrived on ball control, but Japan has a way of countering this Tiki-Taka gameplay.
- After unexpectedly Japan defeats Spain, SAMURAI BLUE will face Croatia in the round of 16, while Spain will face Morocco.
Japan entered the round of 16 thanks to a controversial goal
VAR made the mistake of recognizing the second goal for Japan in the 2-1 victory over Spain.
In the 51st minute, when the score was 1-1, Kaoru Mitoma returned it to Ao Tanaka to shoot into an empty net. Line referee Souru Phatsoane announced that the ball was out of the field before Mitoma passed.
However, the referee Victor Gomes still accepted the results of VAR. The goal is recognized. That was the moment that decided the fate for all four teams in the group, the end for Germany.
Immediately, fans questioned the controversial goal of the Japanese team. According to the rules of football regulated by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the ball is determined to be out of the field when the entire ball has crossed the goal line, which applies when the ball is on the ground or in the air.
VAR referees determine that a very small portion of the ball has not yet gone over the line. On Twitter, account Ondrej Koch used a screenshot of the horizontal angle, and drew more lines to prove the VAR referees were right.
Meanwhile, sports journalist Henry Bushnell of Yahoo Sports found a photo taken from above when Mitoma passed the ball to confirm that the ball had not gone over the line.
England fans are happy because Germany was bitterly eliminated because of a controversial goal
English football fans felt it was sweet revenge when Germany were knocked out by a controversial Japanese goal.
The four-time champions were again eliminated in the group stage despite beating Costa Rica 4-2 as Japan advanced to the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Spain. Japan’s second goal was controversial despite claims that the ball had crossed the line.
But England fans feel the decision is revenge on the German after 12 years.
Frank Lampard was denied an infamous goal against Germany in 2010 when his shot hit the crossbar and fell behind the line but was not recognized as a goal.
One fan claimed: “Justice for Lampard. He’s got 0 goals at the World Cup because of that.”
A second said: “Let’s see Lampard’s shot again.”
“I just know Frank Lampard is watching with a smile on his face, to be fair to him in 2010,” a third said.
Another user added: “Lampard got his revenge”.
Former striker Alan Shearer even posted his own reaction on Twitter when he, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards were laughing hysterically. Meme about 2 goals shared widely on social networks.
One fan even mocked VAR: “Frank Lampard is in the VAR room to get revenge on Germany for the ‘goal’ in 2010”.
Another said: “Frank Lampard’s great work in the VAR room”.
