With a highly contentious goal, Japan overcame a deficit to defeat Spain 2-1 and take the lead in Group E. Luis Enrique’s team needed to win out on goal differential to advance as runners-up ahead of Germany.

At the Khalifa International Stadium, Spain completely dominated the first half and appeared poised to progress in first place as Alvaro Morata headed in his third goal of the competition (11).

After the break, however, everything changed dramatically as Kaoru Mitoma’s cut-back appeared to have gone out of play before substitute Ritsu Doan equalized with a powerful shot from the edge of the box (48) and Ao Tanaka completed the comeback.

After the goal, there was a protracted VAR review, but it shockingly decided in favor of Japan, leaving Spain, who had been dominant up until that point but had been listless in the second, to worry about making it to the round of 16.

Spain was about to go out with Hansi Flick’s team when Costa Rica took the lead in their 4-2 loss to Germany. However, Spain’s superior goal difference, thanks to their 7-0 victory over Costa Rica in their opening game, ensured they advanced to the knockout stages at the expense of Germany.

Spain will now take on Morocco in the round of 16, while Japan—which also rallied from a deficit to defeat Germany but fell short against Costa Rica—now face Croatia.

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