Ao Tanaka’s goal proved to be the winner

The Blue Samurai have done it! They beat Germany, 2-1 in their opener and today in the crucial Group E deciding match, it was the turn of Spain to fall by an identical scoreline. Japan are into the Round of 16 beating their mighty opponents who between them have won 6 World Cups. It was Germany’s turn to exit joining Belgium who crashed out earlier. Spain finished a pallid second in group E after their 7 gun salute against Costa Rica. They started this match with a bang as Alvaro Morata gave them a dream start.

Japan is the story of this World Cup. Against Germany it was Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano. Today, the Japanese goalscorers were Doan and Ao Tanaka, who get their names etched in history but each and every one of them on that pitch was a hero. The Japanese had to wait with bated breath on Tanaka’s goal as Nagatomo crossed the ball after it appeared to have gone out over the byline. Was it out? VAR took a long, hard review as the seconds stood still. The ball’s curvature was deemed inside the line and the goal stood! It proved to be the winner.

Highlights >>