World Cup 2022 News today: Spain's coach Luis Enrique is not happy about Germany's end

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Spain coach Luis Enrique

Photo: IMAGO/Grigory Sysoev / IMAGO/SNA

This text is continuously updated.

Enrique rejects the question of joy about the group constellation

7.13 a.m.:

The Spanish national soccer coach Luis Enrique has defended his personal rotation in the last group game of the World Cup against Japan.

"I thought it would be the best eleven players for this game," said the 52-year-old after the 2-1 defeat: "I would do it again because I had 100 percent trust in these players.

You're always smarter afterwards."

He had sent five new players to the starting XI, which lost the flow of the first two games.

Germany were eliminated by the defeat of Spain, while Furia Roja slipped into second place in what was supposed to be the easier half of the tournament.

Enrique vehemently rejected any discussions about satisfaction or even joy about the final group constellation.

"I am not happy.

We qualified but I would have preferred

to finish the group first," emphasized the coach: "I never celebrate a defeat.

A lot has changed in the tournament as a result – but I don't have anything to celebrate.” He didn't even realize that Spain were also on the verge of being eliminated due to Costa Rica's interim lead.

Comment after the end:

Soccer dwarf Germany

7.05 a.m .:

Again after 2018, Germany was eliminated in the preliminary round of a World Cup.

The times of the big tournament team Germany seem over.

In his comment, Marcus Krämer writes where the squad lacks quality and which managers should draw personal consequences from their departure.

Tanaka on Japan's victory: "It's no wonder"

7.00 a.m .:

After the surprising group victory of the Japanese and the turnaround in the game against Spain, goalscorer Ao Tanaka defended his team from resentment.

"Everyone says it's a miracle, but it's no wonder," said the Fortuna Düsseldorf second division professional, adding: "We deserve it.

We played more aggressively in the second half and won that way.”

As in the game against Germany, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu wanted to put more pressure on his team in the second half after a weak first half and ended up substituting the win.

Substitute Ritsu Doan (48') scored first, Tanaka's opening goal (51') came after substitute Kaoru Mitoma's near-miss.

So the Samurai Blue turned the game and became a German nightmare - for the second time at this World Cup.

Alvaro Morata (11th) gave Spain the lead with his third goal of the tournament.

Japan meets Croatia in the round of 16 on Monday (4 p.m. / Magenta TV).

As second in Group E, Spain meets Morocco on Tuesday (4 p.m. / ARD and Magenta TV).

see/dpa/sid