World Cup 2022: Spain vs Japan match preview

Japan have each brought on, and suffered, a World Cup upset, and now should win in opposition to Spain to qualify for the final 16.

Japan fans celebrate outside the stadium
Japanese followers have a good time after beating Germany [Issei Kato/Reuters]

Who: Spain vs Japan, Group E

The place: Khalifa Worldwide Stadium

When: Thursday, December 1, 10pm (19:00 GMT)

FIFA Rating: Spain (7), Japan (24)

Japan have been an unpredictable crew to this point on this match. They unexpectedly beat Germany of their first match, however then misplaced to Costa Rica, whom all people anticipated them to beat.

WCup Germany Japan Soccer
Japan’s Maya Yoshida and Ko Itakura have a good time Japan’s second purpose in opposition to Germany [Matthias Schrader/AP Photo]

The Samurai Blue, who're at the moment degree on factors with Costa Rica, should beat Spain if they're to ensure their spot within the final 16. They might nonetheless qualify with a draw, however this end result would depend upon the outcome within the group’s different recreation, between Germany and Costa Rica.

Spain will routinely qualify with both a draw or a win. In the event that they lose and the opposite recreation ends in a win for both Germany or Costa Rica, then Spain won't qualify.

Spain v Germany
Spain placed on a tremendous efficiency in opposition to Germany on Sunday [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

La Roja had been imperious of their first match in opposition to Costa Rica, thumping them 7-0 with six totally different gamers getting on the scoresheet. They then performed out a high-quality 1-1 draw with Germany at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.

The 2 groups have solely ever performed one another in a 2001 pleasant, which Spain received 1-0.

There aren’t many modifications anticipated for both crew, though Alvaro Morata might begin forward of Actual Madrid’s Marco Asensio after scoring in Spain’s first two matches.

The groups that progress from Group E will play both Morocco, Belgium or Croatia within the subsequent spherical.

Each Japan and Spain had been knocked out within the Spherical of 16 within the 2018 World Cup: Japan had been defeated by Belgium 3-2, whereas Spain went out to the hosts, Russia, on penalties.

They'll each need to go additional in 2022 – Spain pushing for a repeat of their 2010 World Cup win – however the two sides face a extra imminent check first, in opposition to one another.

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