Japan keeps on making history. Not content with just beating Germany, the Japan national team have also defeated Spain to win Group E and qualify for the next round of the Fifa World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
A disappointing 1–0 loss to Costa Rica in their previous match meant the pressure was on Japan ahead of the game against Spain. A win was the only way for the Samurai Blue, as the team are affectionately known, to be sure of progression to the next round. Spain, though, won their first group game 7-0 against Costa Rica, won the World Cup in 2010 and are ranked seventh in the world. Japan have never been further than the round of 16 at the tournament and are ranked 24th.
But just like in the game against Germany, Japan shocked the world to record a stunning victory. Spain took the lead in the 11th minute through Alvaro Morata before Japan fought back. Ritsu Doan equalised with a long-range strike in the 48th minute and just three minutes later Ao Tanaka bundled the ball over the line to put Japan ahead. The Samurai Blue held on for a memorable 2-1 victory that secured them top spot in Group E ahead of Spain.
Video of fans in Shibuya celebrating Japan's World Cup victory over Spain. It looked like Japan had very little chance to advance to the next round, but they once again surprised the world: pic.twitter.com/YCje6W9Y4N
— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) December 1, 2022
The match against Spain kicked off at 4am on Friday December 2 in Japan, but that didn't stop fans from filling bars and venues around the country. In Tokyo, there were once again wild scenes of celebration at Shibuya Scramble Crossing, with fans spilling out onto the street to celebrate.
Even the city's iconic Tokyo Tower is joining the celebration, lighting up in the colour of the Samurai Blue from sunset until 12midnight on Friday December 2 to mark Japan's incredible performance.
Japan fans cleaning up their mess before leaving the stadium 👏 pic.twitter.com/sKUXUsjMFk
— GOAL (@goal) November 23, 2022
The outpouring of emotion has been fantastic to see, both in Tokyo and Doha. And the supporters in Qatar have earned even more praise by taking the time to clean up after themselves in the stadiums following every game.
After an historic victory against Germany at the #FIFAWorldCup on Match Day 4, Japan fans cleaned up their rubbish in the stadium, whilst the @jfa_samuraiblue left their changing room at Khalifa International Stadium like this. Spotless.
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) November 23, 2022
Domo Arigato.👏🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/NuAQ2xrwSI
Japan’s players have also been doing a spot of cleaning, leaving their changing rooms looking pristine after every match, something that earned praise from Fifa following the win over Germany.
Next up for Japan in the World Cup is Croatia in the round of 16 at 12midnight on Tuesday December 6. A win would put Japan into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time.
Looking for a place to watch the game? Check out our guide to the bars and venues showing the World Cup.
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