Spain conspiracy ahead of Japan game?

Why everyone wants to be second

Created: 12/01/2022, 12:45 p.m

By: Corbinian Kothny

Germany expects a real group final in the battle for second place on Thursday.

In the end, is this even better than winning the group?

Munich

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The German national team has finally reached the 2022 World Cup in terms of sport.

After the convincing performance in the 1-1 draw against Spain, the DFB team once again has every chance of reaching the round of 16.

However, the team of national coach Hansi Flick needs the support of “La Roja” if they don’t manage a shooting match themselves.

World Cup in Qatar: Germany can no longer be first in the group

Because only if Japan doesn't win against Spain does the DFB team have a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stage.

But one thing is certain: Germany can no longer finish first in the group and in the best-case scenario has to be content with second place in the table.

That doesn't have to be a disadvantage when you take a closer look at the tournament tree for the knockout phase.

In the round of 16, the second in Group E, in which Germany plays, meets the first in Group F.

Hansi Flick and Luis Enrique after the 1-1 in the second group game.

© IMAGO/ULMER

World Cup in Qatar: Morocco as a possible round of 16 opponent

There, Croatia, Morocco and Belgium fight for the first two places.

Croatia and Morocco are tied with four points, while Belgium is currently in third place with one point less.

The two European heavyweights meet in the final group game, while Morocco take on the already-eliminated Canada.

A group victory for the North Africans is therefore anything but unlikely.

Even if the Atlas lions seem to be the easiest opponents, Ziyech & Co. are anything but to be underestimated.

Especially in the victory over Belgium Morocco convinces with a strong performance.

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World Cup in Qatar: second place in the group as an advantage?

However, the second place in the group is particularly interesting with a view to a possible quarter-final.

Because there, given the current state of affairs, they would avoid record world champions and top favorites Brazil.

You would probably meet the winner of the game Portugal against Switzerland or Serbia much more.

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These arithmetic games were also used as an opportunity in the Spanish media to discuss a possible intentional defeat of the Enrique team in the final group game.

World Cup in Qatar: Spanish conspiracy against DFB-Elf?

The headline in the sports newspaper

on Monday was “Spain's danger of finishing first in the group”.

However, a possible defeat of the "La Roja" is very short-lived.

Should the Spaniards lose to Japan and Costa Rica win to Germany, the Iberians themselves would be eliminated at once.

And even a possible rout for the Flick boys would push Spain down to third place.

That's not the only reason why Luis Enrique made it clear: "We will go into the game against Japan to win".

At the same time, the 52-year-old reminded the DFB team that they had to do their homework themselves.

(kk)