Qatar 2022: Japan, Spain Safely Qualify to Round 16 as Germany, Costa Rica lose
On Thursday, the ongoing World Cup in Qatar saw the elimination of Germany and Costa Rica from the group stage. Spain and Japan, though, made it through to the competition’s round of 16.
Germany is failing to advance from the World Cup group stage for the second time in a row.
At the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday night, Japan overcame Spain 2-1 to finish the group stage with six points from three games.
Alvaro Borja Morata scored Spain’s first goal in the eleventh minute. However, Japan fought back into the match, as Doan equalized in the 48th minute and Tanaka scored the game-winning goal in the 58th.
Despite being the underdog, Japan emerged as the group’s leader with six points after beating both Germany and Spain on Thursday.
After defeating Costa Rica and drawing Germany in the first and second games, Spain advanced to the round of 16 with four points less than Japan and just edged out Germany on goal differential.
Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2 on Thursday at Al Bayt Stadium thanks to goals from Gnabry, Kai Havertz, and Füllkrug, but it wasn’t enough to advance them to the next round.
