They thought it was all over
Where to begin.
Spain were cruising at half time. Then they fell behind in the blink of an eye (two minutes and 26 seconds to be precise). Did the ball go out? Only FIFA can definitively say. Then the unthinkable – a Costa Rican goal left Spain out of the World Cup along with the Germans. The champions of two of the previous three World Cups were heading home. But almost immediately, Germany equalised and Spain were saved again.
Such was the frenetic intensity of Thursday night’s action that by the time the calculations were done, they were already redundant because something else had happened. Wednesday’s card-counting drama seemed soporific compared to the second half here.
The sun almost set on Spain at the Khalifa but ultimately they have a Havertz to thank for their passage to the knockouts. The Chelsea forward struck twice to turn the other game back in Germany’s favour and kept Spain’s head above water.
Japan is known as the Land of the Rising Sun, and dawn evidently broke at half time for them again, as it did in their opener against Germany. Despite the fact that it occurred in almost identical circumstances, nobody saw this coming at half time.
Spain had scored early, dominated the ball, and had given Japan nothing in the way of encouragement. Luis Enrique made five changes, bringing in César Azilicueta, Pau Torres, Alejandro Balde, Nico Williams and Álvaro Morata. It was Spain’s youngest starting lineup at a World Cup since 2006, and four of the starters were under the age of 21.
Two of the rotations combined for the opener, Azpilicueta crossing for Morata to head home his 30th international goal, taking him beyond Fernando Hierro and into outright fifth in the all-time Spanish scoring charts.
His goal record of one in every two caps continues to be as impressive as it is scarcely believable. He has now scored in every game in the tournament, putting him level at the top of the charts. Telmo Zarra in 1950 is the only other Spaniard to score in all three games of a World Cup Group Stage. It was also his ninth goal in Euros and World Cups combined – only David Villa (13) has scored more for Spain in the grand tournaments.
The dominance of the ball was even more imperious than against Costa Rica. By half time, Rodri and Pau Torres had completed more passes than the entire Japan team combined. But it was only 1-0 and in football, never be surprised by surprises.
Hajime Moriyasu made changes, bringing on Ritsu Doan and Kaoru Mitoma, hoping for lightning to strike twice. It did. After a poor pass from Unai Simón, Balde lost possession and Doan stormed infield before smashing the ball towards goal. In truth, Simón should have saved it and he will not want to see the replays. It seemed to strike fear through the team, and it spread like contagion. Their passing was prosaic in the opening half but they became panicked.
Within moments, Japan were celebrating again, as a cross was turned in by Ao Tanaka having been kept alive by Mitoma. Simón and the defence were culpable again, but the replays suggested the ball had gone out of play before the cross came in. After a lengthy delay, VAR awarded the goal, and Spain were behind for the first time since September.
This is when the focus on the other game became heightened. While this was going on, Germany had also conceded and then soon after conceded again. Manuel Neuer of all people was at fault, and it left the favourites heading for the exit door. Havertz was Spain’s saviour, and while Spain tried to get the equaliser that would have brought Germany back in, it never came nor looked imminent. Japan topped the group and broke records in the process.
Spain lost, but are going through. Germany won but are going home, ultimately down to that controversial VAR call. Goal-line disputes in World Cups seem to have a liking for Germany. In the final reckoning, Spain pipped Germany on goal difference, so that 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica has paid off.
Lucho’s side will now face Morocco on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals, but there will be more questions than answers after this display. When teams sit off, Spain look unplayable, as the ITV studio guests purred at half time. But the moment there is any kind of pressure, as Germany applied in the last quarter on Sunday, or as Japan did for a brief spell here, Spain almost crumbled. Lucho was not aware of the brief catastrophic peril his side were in, saying “We were out…well imagine, I would have had a heart attack”.
For three minutes, Spain were out of the World Cup. But to paraphrase a famous quote, in the end the Germans won it for them. Danke, Alemania.