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The Barça striker went from being the eighth striker to Luis Enrique’s resource when Spain needed to score against Japan
“He was the last player to enter the list,” Luis Enrique remarked bluntly when asked what role he reserved for Ansu Fati in the World Cup. The forward of the Barça, who had not even warmed up against Costa Rica and Germanyseemed called to play a totally residual role in the selection.
The words of Luis Enrique in the preview of the match against Japan They fueled doubts about Ansu, who had already been left out of the last call, the Nations League in June, because the coach had not seen him at the level he demands.
From secondary to necessary
However, as soon as the situation for Spain turned uphill in Doha, with Japan ahead on the scoreboard and Costa Rica and Germany playing a crazy match, Luis Enrique resorted to Ansu.
He came onto the field in the 68th minute, replacing Gavi, to intensify the attack of Spain from the left wing. He did not score, but he associated well with his teammates, sought the tickles of the disciplined Japanese defense and was very active.
He ended up sharing the lead with Ferran Torres and Asensio, and with Dani Olmo slightly further behindin the interior position: four strikers to try to knock down the Japanese wall and achieve a reassuring goal, which did not come.
In the end, only the result of the match between Costa Rica and Germany saved
A smile in the midst of tension
The Barça striker was the exception in the mixed zone of the Khalifa stadium, after the game: although he did not have to speak to the press -only three players are obliged to do so-, left the stadium with a relaxed and smiling gestureLittle to do with the seriousness that was reflected in the faces of his companions.
The tension of having been eliminated for several minutes only faded with the passing of the hours, but for Ansu, it was not a sad day: He played his first minutes in a World Cup, accompanied by his entire family in the stands (of the 26 mentioned by Luis Enrique, he is the one who has displaced the most relatives to Qatar), and showed that he can be important and necessary in the national team.
