The four-time champions Germany had a tough night in Qatar as they crashed out of the FIFA World Cup 2022 group stage for the 2nd time in a row despite registering a 4-2 win against Costa Rica in their final group E game.
Spain who too were stunned at the hands of the Japanese men 1-2, qualified edging out Germany on the basis of goal difference.
Serge Gnabry though gave The Team the perfect start with a goal in the 10th minute itself, Japan levelled it in the second half with Yeltsin Tejeda scoring in the 58th minute. Manuel Neuer's own goal however gave a feeling of another astonishing upset, but Kai Havertz turned the tide with a superb brace. Niclas Fullkrug added the final goal of the evening in the 89th minute, handing the Ticos a 4-2 defeat.
Fortune however was smiling upon Spain, who suffered a controversial 1-2 loss but qualified for last-16. Alvaro Morato gave the 2010 Champions a start in the 10th minute, but a fiery Japan made an extraordinary comeback to finish the Group games as table leaders. A goal from Doan in the 48th minute and another by Tanaka which was given after a VAR decision after the halftime turned the game around for the Japanese men who have now advanced in the last-16 stage.
While Japan face Croatia next on 5th December, Spain is set to face Morocco on December 6th.