Coach Enrique did not know Spain was almost eliminated

"We could have been eliminated?", Enrique asked back when reporters mentioned the risk of Spain being eliminated after Japan's 1-2 defeat at Khalifa Stadium. "I don't care about the other match, when will that happen? I don't know the result. If I knew, I would have a heart attack."

Entering the last match of Group E yesterday, Spain only needed to draw with Japan to be sure to continue. They initially built an advantage when they played overwhelmingly, with a possession rate of over 80% and opened the scoring thanks to Alvaro Morata's header in the 11th minute. In the same match, Germany also led Costa Rica 1-0 thanks to Serge. Gnabry in the first half. This result, if maintained until the end of the match, will send both Spain and Germany through.

However, just a few minutes into the second half, Spain let Japan lead 2-1 thanks to Ritsu Doan's cannon shot and Ao Tanaka's close-range finish. At the same time, Germany let Costa Rica upstream with the same score. These results push Spain to third and Germany to bottom, meaning Japan and Costa Rica go through.

Towards the end of the match, only Germany reversed the position when winning 4-2. This result was not enough to help them progress, but put Spain into the 1/8 round with second place behind Japan. In the next round, Japan met Croatia at Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah City on February 5, and Spain played Morocco at Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan City a day later.

Regarding yesterday's result, Enrique affirmed: "We did not face any threat in the first half, but told the players to be careful because Japan had nothing to lose. But we lost the rhythm again. and Japan could even score two more. Spain go through, but I never celebrate defeat."

This match, VAR caused controversy when it recognized Tanaka's decisive goal, from Kaoru Mitoma's effort to save the ball on the left. Initially, the referee Victor Gomes did not recognize the goal because the line referee announced that the ball had passed the line. But after a few minutes of conferring with his assistants and VAR, Mr. Gomes decided to recognize Japan's scoring goal.

Enrique said he himself did not know if the ball had crossed the line or not. "From my point of view, the ball is clearly half out. I can't say more because the speed is too fast," said the 52-year-old coach. "If the ball goes out and Japan is recognized as a goal, I will be very disappointed. But the referees say the ball is still in the field."

According to the bracket, if they beat Morocco in the 1/8 round, Spain will probably meet Portugal in the quarter-finals and then France in the semi-finals.