The new exploit of Japan against Spain (2-1), the show during Germany-Costa Rica (4-2)… Find the tops / flops of the last day of Group E.
TOPS
Exceptional Japan
History repeated itself. As against Germany, Japan, dominated for a half, overturned everything against Spain on Thursday (2-1). As against Germany, it was an incoming player, the same Ritsu Doan, who was decisive, with a heavy strike to deceive a Simon who was far from blameless. The contentious goal of Ao Tanaka (54th) will plunge this merry band of Blue Samurai a little more into euphoria. With their strength and unfailing energy, Hajime Moriyasu’s band entered a little more in the history of Japanese football by finishing first in the “group of death”. Close to leaving Belgium in 2018 (elimination 3-2 in the round of 16), the Japanese selection makes a specialty of shocking European scarecrows. Here is Croatia warned for its round of 16.
Fullkrug, Germany’s pleasant surprise
The eternal debate on the absence of number 9 in the German team had known an embryonic response with the selection of rookie Niclas Fullkrug. However, the latter was never established. Certainly returned too late against Japan, author of the equalizer against Spain, the Werder striker was again decisive this Thursday, passer (73rd) then scorer (89th) in the heart of a Costa Rican defense certainly far from ‘be exemplary. Unknown to the general public, the striker with such special teeth will have been one of the rare German satisfactions in Qatar.
Read alsoWorld Cup: Stéphanie Frappart made history through the front door
The quarter of an hour of madness of the “Ticos”
Almost harmless for one half, the Costa Ricans certainly drew inspiration from Japan, who similarly toppled Germany earlier in the competition, to take the lead in the second half. On two trailing balls, Yeltsin Tejeda (58th) then Juan Vargas (70th) made the great Manuel Neuer falter (see below). The stadium was ablaze, even some German supporters applauded the show, as if resigned to the “Ticos” blessed by the gods for a quarter of an hour. Because on the other side, Germany hit the left post of Keylor Navas three times (60th, 62nd, 66th) before being overwhelmed. But it won’t last…
Read alsoWorld Cup: Germany (re)takes the door
FLOPS
The sufficiency of Spain
Overthrown by Japan, La Roja suffered a defeat that we will gladly describe as caricatural. Yet launched by the opener of Alvaro Morata (12th), the band of Luis Enrique lost interest in the goal for a time, sinking into an excessive possession game which will be verified in the statistics (82% possession, 1058 passes exchanged!). Threatened for a while by Costa Rica and then by Germany (who still needed five more goals), the Iberians resumed their march forward because they had to. But they gave the impression of sinking into complacency, which was not the case against Costa Rica (7-0).
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Neuer at dusk
His stop before the break, straight as an I, impassive, recalled the Neuer of the great years, the one who had intervened in front of Karim Benzema before going for the crown in 2014. But the Neuer of 2022 is the one who connects less busy seasons (poor form, injury) but also, sometimes, blunders. Already questioned against Japan, the Bayern goalkeeper again has his share of merit in the two goals conceded against Costa Rica. The first on a ball released in the area and the second on a completely failed outing in its area.
