Measured but happy about the classification, the Japanese media reacted to the 2-1 victory of their team against Spain, which qualified them to the round of 16 of Qatar 2022 in first place in Group E.
“Another surprise: Japan advances to the final instance for the second consecutive tournament,” Sankei headlined. The Japanese, Asian runners-up in 2019, had already reached the knockout phase in Russia 2018, when they lost to Belgium. They also arrived at that instance in the World Cup that they organized together with South Korea, in 2002.
“Another comeback to finish first in the group,” said the Yomiuri Shimbun, the country’s largest newspaper, with a photo of Ao Tanaka (author of 2-1).
The Japan Times, Japan’s leading English-language daily, headlined: “Japan defeats Spain to advance in World Cup shocked by disappointment,” referring to Germany’s elimination.
