Japan stun Spain 2-1, knock Germany out of the World Cup

Japan gamers have fun after defeating Spain 2-1 after the World Cup group E soccer match between Japan and Spain, on the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

Japan had shocked Germany as soon as on this World Cup. They did it once more on Friday – this time, additionally upsetting Spain within the course of. And they did it on the similar venue as properly – the Khalifa International Stadium.

In one of the vital dramatic evenings in World Cup historical past, the Asian giants staged an unimaginable second-half comeback, beat the 2010 world champions Spain 2-1 and, within the course of, knockout the 2014 world champions Germany, who exit the World Cup within the group stage for second time in a row.

As fortunes of all 4 groups in Group E swung from one excessive to a different, Japan topped the pool with six factors forward of Spain, who had been stage on factors with Germany (4) however sneaked into the final 16 forward of their European rivals owing to a superior purpose distinction. Costa Rica, who had been in competition to progress for a couple of minutes once they led Germany however misplaced 4-2, completed on the backside of the group with three factors.