Japan shocks, Belgium leaves the game early

Japan continued to create an earthquake against Spain to take sole possession of the top spot.

The difference in class between Spain and Japan was soon evident when coach Luis Enrique's team opened the scoring in the 11th minute. After a series of shots into the penalty area were knocked out, Azpilicueta calmly sent a cross for Morata to head into the Japanese net.

However, Japan's chances in the first half were zero as Spain maintained the pressure with over 80% possession. But after the break, it was a completely different story as the Asian representative scored an early equalizer. In the 48th minute, taking advantage of the laxity of La Roja's defense, substitute Ritsu Doan unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, defeating Unai Simon.

Before Spain could recover, Simon's net shook a second time. From Kaoru Mitoma's effort to save and pass the ball, Ao Tanaka finished very easily from close range. In this situation, there was a controversy about whether the ball had crossed the goal line before Mitoma leaned forward, but after consulting VAR, the goal was recognized for Japan.

Japan's 2-1 victory over Spain helped both teams advance to the round of 16. The match at the same time in Group E between Germany and Costa Rica ended 4-2 in favor of the "Tank".

Also on the night of December 1, matches in Group F took place. Among them, the disappointment was Belgium when they only had a goalless draw with Croatia.

Lukaku missed countless opportunities, forcing Belgium to pack their bags and go home early.

The 4th ranked team in the 2018 World Cup only needed a draw to advance, but they started the match with determination. Just over 10 seconds after the opening whistle, Ivan Perisic created the first dangerous shot.

In the entire first half, Belgium's only notable moment was Mertens' face-to-face with the goalkeeper, but his hasty curling shot was inaccurate.

To advance, Belgium had to win, so coach Martinez sent Lukaku on immediately after the break. The tall striker immediately threatened the Croatian goal with a header from a tight angle. But Lukaku's clearest chance came in the 60th minute. In a chaotic situation created by Carrasco, Lukaku was in front of the goal without a goalkeeper, although Lukaku's powerful right-footed shot got past the opposing defender, it hit the inside of the post... and flew out.

The final minutes witnessed Lukaku's strange lack of luck. In the 87th minute, Lukaku touched the ball very awkwardly while standing alone in front of the goal, causing the ball to fly out. In the 90th minute, Lukaku was still in front of an empty goal, but he failed to control the ball even though he could have completely finished with one touch into the net. In the third minute of extra time, when Lukaku almost couldn't miss the opportunity anymore, a Croatian defender was a few hundredths of a second faster than Lukaku to clear the ball to save the goal.

With a 0-0 draw, Belgium said goodbye early to the 2022 World Cup. Morocco and Croatia are the two representatives of Group F to enter the round of 16.

Duc Anh (Synthesis)