Spain vs Japan live today: Germany needs help

Created: 01/12/2022, 18:06

By: Christoph Gschossmann

Alvaro Morata celebrates for Spain: The Iberians meet Japan in the group final.

© Tom Weller/dpa

Fingers crossed for the "Red Fury": Germany must hope for the Iberians to have a chance of progressing.

The live ticker for Spain vs Japan.

• World Cup 2022: Spain meets Japan on the third and final day of Group E.

• Group final: Germany (parallel against Costa Rica) depends on the result of the game.

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Spain-Japan -:- (-:-) - Kick-off Thursday 1 December, 8pm

Doha / Munich: Spain are almost further - how much will the Iberians stretch to defeat Japan in the last group game and thus help Germany?

Coach Luis Enrique stressed again that his team would not play for a draw, which would be enough for the 2010 world champions to reach the round of 16.

Although that was a "terrific question", said the head coach of the leaders at the final press conference in Al-Rajjan, he emphasized: "We want to stay first.

First!” 

Spain not aiming for a draw - is Morata playing from the start?

Luis Enrique described some scenarios of how things could go wrong if his team was aiming for a draw.

For example: "If the score is 0-0 in both games in the 90th minute, and in the 95th minute, with 15 seconds to go, Japan and Costa Rica score." 

Before the game at the Chalifa International Stadium, Luis Enrique left it open whether Gavi and Rodri would play.

This depends on the final training.

The 18-year-old FC Barcelona playmaker, who was hit in the knee in the 1-1 draw with Germany, and the Manchester City defender had not trained with the team recently.

The Spain coach also left open whether Alvaro Morata would storm from the start this time.

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Japan still hopes: “Most important game of career”

Japan also hopes to progress.

"Our performance against Spain can ensure that Japanese football has a very different future," said national team captain Maya Yoshida.

"Probably a lot of children will be watching, so I'm hoping for more World Cup games.

And that's why we have to win," added the veteran.

The Japanese had won 2-1 against Germany at the start, but gambled away the great starting position with a 0-1 draw against Costa Rica.

Yoshida sees the match against Spain as "the most important game of my career".