DOHA, Qatar — Germany suffered a second straight group-stage exit at the World Cup on Thursday as Japan stunned Spain 2-1, a result which sent both teams through to the last 16.
The Germans were the reigning champions when they crashed out in the first round four years ago in Russia and they were eliminated in repeat fashion in Qatar despite beating Costa Rica 4-2.
The four-time champions finished third in Group E behind Spain on goal difference.
“It is unbelievably bitter for us,” forward Thomas Mueller said.”It’s a feeling of powerlessness.”
Japan surprisingly advanced by winning first place in the group with six points after coming from behind to topple Spain.
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A header from Alvaro Morata put Spain in front early on, but Japan dramatically hit back at the start of the second half.
Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka’s goals saw them mount a sensational comeback, just as they did in a shock opening win over Germany.
Japan’s Ao Tanaka, in blue, and Spain’s Dani Olmo battle for the ball during the World Cup Group E soccer game between Japan and Spain, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, December 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Tanaka’s goal was controversial after the officials relied on VAR, or video assistant referee, to decide Kaoru Mitoma had kept the ball in play by the finest of margins to set him up.
Japan will play Croatia, who lost in the final of World Cup 2018, in the next round while Spain will go on to face Morocco.
It is the fourth time Japan has reached the last 16 but they have never progressed beyond that stage.
“The players are showing us a different and new view of being able to fight on the world stage,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu. “I would like to set a new record of the last eight or better.”
TWO FOR JAPAN
Take another look at the goal that put Japan on top vs Spain ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/kyH3k6Hsn8
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
Germany’s top-selling daily Bild offered a scathing assessment of the team’s latest failure. The Germans were also knocked out in the last 16 at Euro 2020.
“How embarrassing! We are out,” read the headline. “Three tournaments in a row in which we didn’t get anything done.”
“The soccer world used to tremble before us. We were praised as a ‘tournament team.’ Now Germany is just a soccer dwarf,” Bild said.
Second-ranked Belgium was also sent packing after a goalless draw with Croatia.
Belgium’s exit was painful, with their players slumping to the turf after substitute Romelu Lukaku failed to capitalize on a string of chances.
Instead it was Croatia that celebrated, qualifying for the knockout stage as the second-placed team in Group F, with five points.
Morocco beat Canada 2-1 to top the group with seven points, reaching the last 16 for the first time in 36 years.
The Belgians, knowing victory would take them through, poured forward in the second half in frantic search of a winner but fell agonizingly short.
Lukaku smashed the ball against the post around the hour mark and squandered other chances to the disbelief of Belgium’s fans.
Romelu Lukaku – best striker in the world. ????pic.twitter.com/PCzSS7ejMW
— Rio. (@RioDeLFC) December 1, 2022
With just moments remaining he seemed certain to score from close range but could only chest the ball into the arms of Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
The 2018 semi-finalists head home after an embarrassing campaign in which they scored just one goal.
Belgium has had a miserable stay in Doha with rumors of in-fighting, and a number of the country’s “Golden Generation” of players including Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois may have played on the biggest stage for the final time.
In the aftermath of their exit, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez announced he was leaving his job.
“That was my last game with the national team, I can’t carry on,” Martinez said. “It’s time for me to accept that this is the last game.”
Morocco made it through to the knockout stage for the first time since 1986, thanks to first-half goals from Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Canada, already eliminated before the final round of group games, cut the deficit through an own goal but Morocco held on to win.
“It wasn’t easy, but when you have an opportunity to make history, you remember it,” said coach Walid Regragui. “We’ve made lots of people happy this evening, but let’s not stop here.”