Japan’s magical 2022 World Cup run is not over just yet. After pulling off another massive upset to beat a Spain team that was among the favorites to win the tournament, the Japan team will be moving through the Group Stage and into the knockout rounds.
Japan’s upset also knocked Germany out of the World Cup. Despite the loss, Spain will finish runner-up to the Japanese in the group, and they will join them in the knockout stages.
Check out the latest World Cup odds following Thursday’s developments, via DraftKings.
Tracking both the Japan-Spain and Germany-Costa Rica game caused fans everywhere to constantly be looking into several scenarios surrounding Group E. Germany and Spain both got off to 1-0 leads on Thursday, but nearly at the same time that Japan broke through for a 2-1 lead, Costa Rica was able to tie up their game against the Germans. Germany needed a win and a Japan loss or draw to advance. Much to the dismay of the German fans, Japan was able to hold off a late flurry from the Spaniards to advance to the next stage.
Japan did not make it easy for themselves. After opening their World Cup with an upset win over Germany, they fell 1-0 to Costa Rica, setting up a must-win opportunity.
“We shouldn’t be on an emotional rollercoaster. The victories and defeats are in the past and now we start preparing for the next game,” Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu said to the Japan Times. “We can have a big win (in the next game) like we did against Germany by making incremental strides.”
Japan will remain in a familiar spot: as sizable underdogs following their best half of soccer on Thursday. They open as a +310 underdog against Croatia on Monday.
