Band of Death… and the show! | Press

Chaos. Drama. The show. Emotions. It was all there at the end of Group E on Thursday. And the first place was not Spain, but Japan and not even Germany. Real feat.

Because after taking down the Germans as a curtain-raiser, the Blue Samurai did it again to the Spaniards on Thursday, winning 2-1.

Result: The Japanese won the group of death. Spain took the second place. Germany was defeated. Costa Rica, a source of momentary chaos during their 4-2 loss to the Mannschaft, finished last.

This two hours of football was probably the most eventful hour in recent World Cup history. So let’s try to sum up this crazy evening in Qatar.

Spain and Germany quickly took the lead in their respective matches. Logical openings of the account in terms of dominance in the game, with the naked eye and in all statistics.

Alvaro Morata hit the mark in the 11th^e Minute for La Roja, nice pass from César Azpilicueta. In “Khalifa” stadium, the first half ended in favor of the Spaniards with 83% possession. It’s simple: Japan didn’t actually touch the ball and were very lucky to return to the dressing room only one goal late.

Serge Gnabri opened the scoring in the 10th minute at Al-Beit Stadium^e for the Germans, and the era was similar, though a little more shared.

At this point we were heading for a very quiet sequence.

But the Japanese and even the Costa Ricans were not done surprising us.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu brought on Ritsu Doan and Kaoru Mitoma at halftime and the game changed immediately. Remember that in the game against Germany, the Japanese scored consecutive goals in a few minutes.

So they needed a genius or two to replicate this work.

In the 48th^e minute, it happens. Doan allows himself a powerful shot from distance. Spanish goalkeeper Unaï Simon touches it, but the speed of the ball goes straight past him. 1-1.

Japanese pressure increased. It is 51^e minute. Doan again sends a long pass to the far post. Mitoma barely – and still – manages to keep the ball in play from deep. The skin goes back to the mouth and Ao touches Tanaka’s thigh. What signs. Japan 2-1!

But is the ball out? We check the video replay. We have the impression that the goal will be cancelled.

But he is not. They say that the ball survived, simply. A controversial decision that would have dramatic repercussions.

“We kept the match under control, Sergio Busquets spoke on Spanish television. At least we believed. But they were waiting for our bullet losses to start a counter attack. The second half, that’s what happened. »

Two games in one

Let’s go back and see what happened in this Costa Rica-Germany. At 58^e, Los Ticos secured a 1-1 draw through Yeltsin Tejeda’s foot. If Costa Rica leads, not only will they qualify, but Spain will be eliminated. Just like Germany.

In the 70s^e, Costa Rica scores. And it is 2-1 against the Germans.

The goal was the result of a blunder by Manuel Neuer, one of the great goalkeepers in international football. The order of world football has been turned upside down.

Until Kai Havertz came to restore it. Almost. The Chelsea midfielder made it 2-2 in the 73rd^e. Then bring it back to 85^e ; 3-2. Niclas Füllkrug confirms German victory in 89^e 4-2 score. But the qualification has not been received yet.

Nope. For this, he takes the equalizing goal from Spain. That would pass both La Roja and the Mannschaft.

But the samurai have other ideas. Their defensive block is solid. Spain continues to pass the ball; he made 968 passes in that game! Against a total of 153 for Japan. An absolutely amazing difference. Especially since Japan is still in the lead.

And Japan wins. His six points against two world powers put him on top. With four units, Spain is ranked by goal difference.

“It can’t happen again,” Alvaro Morata said. Because otherwise you will go home. They gave us two goals in five minutes. Don’t think about it anymore, the important thing is that we are on 1/16. »

Therefore, the Japanese will face the Croatians on Monday. Spain face Morocco on Tuesday.

And the Germans will continue to ask questions in 2018 and after early elimination at Euro 2020.

“I never look at other teams, it’s just us,” head coach Hansi Flick said. We are solely responsible. We had enough chances against Japan and Spain. »

“It’s like a horror movie,” Havertz said.

“It’s a complete disaster,” said Thomas Müller. It hurts incredibly, because our result could have been enough. We have a feeling of helplessness. »

With Agence France-Presse