This Thursday the city of Doha witnessed an exciting last day in the group stage of this World Cup, which sealed the deal for Japan and Spain in their qualification for the round of 16 at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Spain was not able to score points after dominating possession of the ball (74% in total), taking the initiative of the game from the start and taking the lead on the scoreboard.

With a team that had four changes in the starting eleven compared to that of which had a draw against Germany four days ago, Luis Enrique and his team came out determined to win the game from the very first moments facing Japan. 

Junya Ito gave a warning on goal after eight minutes with a shot into the side of the net and only four minutes later, the Spanish dynamics paid off in a lateral cross from Azpilicueta that Álvaro Morata headed into the back of Gonda's goal.

Spain shot 13 times on goal compared to 7 of its rival, having 74% of possession during the match.

The insatiable striker from Madrid took another dangerous shot on goal shortly after, and Dani Olmo, who is always very active, was close to expanding the score before the break.

Everything would take a Copernican turn after halftime with Hajime Moriyasu introducing changes to add new life to his players, who raised the pressure.

In this way, in two electric minutes, first Doan with a strong shot after a steal in the Spanish field and then Tanaka with the suspense of the VAR, which it did not declare out of bounds during the play, they turned the game around.

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The National Team reacted quickly, introducing Jordi Alba, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati on the field to try to penetrate the disciplined Japanese front, with its eleven players sheltered within twenty meters.

​​Both Ferran and Dani Olmo had options to restore the tie, but the score would no longer move, thus giving the Asians first place in the group and Spain second.

Luis Enrique and his team thus advance to an exciting round of 16 that awaits next Tuesday with Morocco as their rival and everything still to be decided and won against the green Qatari.