Japan vs Spain LIVE: Stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news as Morata STARTS World Cup 2022 Group E clash
Morata #Morata
ALVARO MORATA has been rewarded with a start for Spain tonight in their crunch Group E tie against Japan and he has SCORED!
The former Chelsea striker netted against the Germans in the previous group game, where the Spaniards were seven minutes away from pulling off a huge win over the Germans before Niclas Fullkrug’s equaliser.
He has added to this, keeping up his impressive goal scoring form for his national side, powering a header into the back of the net after a cross from Cesar Azpilicueta.
However, Spain were unable to hold onto the lead as Ritsu Doan fired Japan level with an impressive goal, cutting in on his left foot to fire past Unai Simon.
Japan are currently through with Spain as it stands despite Germany leading Costa Rica.
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Goal!
Japan equalise with Doan!!!
Spain continue to dominate possession and tempo in the opening minutes of the second half.
Let’s see if Japan will keep their lines high up
Substitution
Japan manager Moriyasu responds with a double change:
Mitoma and Doan come on for Nagatomo and Kubo
Substitution
Spain manager Enrique starts things off with a half-time change:
Carvajal comes on for Azpiliceuta, the Real madrid ace will play at right-back
Peep!
Off we go again in Qatar!!!
As it stands, Spain are top of Group E whereas Japan are out of the World Cup.
Germany lead 1-0 against Costa Rica thanks to Serge Gnabry’s opener.
That means the Furia Roja and the Germans are the ones that go through if nothing changes.
Japan need to find a way to come back and win or at least equalise and hope on a goal difference
Spain dominated a staggering 83 per cent of possession throughout the first half.
The Furia Roja registered a total of five shots, three of which were on target.
Japan, on the other hand, only managed two shots off target in the first half.
More below:
Spain lead 1-0 against Japan after an impressive first half at the Khalifa International Stadium
The Furia Roja broke the deadlock after just 12 minutes with Alvaro Morata.
Cesar Azpilicueta delivered a pinpoint cross from the right and found Morata completely unmarked.
The Atletico Madrid star jumped higher than everyone else and beat Shuichi Gonda with a fine header
Credit: Getty
Peep!
That’s half-time in Qatar!!!
Just one more minute of stoppage time to go until half-time.
Spain are very comfortable, but Japan have found a way to keep them at bay
Yellow card
Now all of Japan’s defenders in their back three have a booking as Yoshida gets cautioned for a challenge from behind on Morata
Yellow card
Another booking for Japan as Taniguchi sees yellow after a rough challenge on Gavi
Japan’s high lines have managed to keep Spain at bay as we approach half-time.
The Furia Roja have struggled to step inside the Japanese area in the last few minutes
Five more minutes to go and Spain are still comfortable… to an extent.
Japan’s high pressure is starting to work and the Spaniards make mistakes.
Moriyasu will have to stick with that tactic in the second half if he wants to have any hope of qualification
Yellow card
And we have the first booking of the match as Itakura is cautioned after a challenge from behind on Pedri
Nothing much has changed as we approach half-time.
Spain continue to dominate possession and tempo, while Japan are hoping to find some space on the counter or take advantage of an error at theback.
The Japanese have moved their lines higher up and at times their pressure works
Spain do tend to make mistakes at the back – it’s not just Busquets.
Simon gets under immense pressure by Maeda and has to turn back before throwing the ball out for a throw-in.
That was sloppy from the Spanish goalkeeper
Spain boss Luis Enrique just had a word with Azpilicueta after the Chelsea ace passed the ball back.
Enrique wants the ball forward at all times as Japan have moved their lines up front
We’ve reached the half-hour mark and Spain have been brilliant as well as dominant.
Incredible passing game by the Furia Roja, especially in midfield – with the exception of the occasional mistake by Busquets
Spain continue are applying tremendous pressure in midfield but Busquets does tend to give the ball away at the back.
Seems like the only way Japan could score as it stands…
Spain star Morata is very impressive so far in the first half.
Japan’s defence is really struggling to keep him quiet and there could well be more goals
Chance
Spain continue to create threats as Morata delivers a sliding shot inside the box but Gonda picks it up with ease
The Spanish end of the crowd is doing the Mexican wave – another case in Qatar.
Can’t blame them, they’re just a whisker away from the Last 16
Spain continue to dominate possession and tempo after Morata’s opener.
Japan are struggling to respond and they have to as they are currently out of the World Cup
Morata has put Spain ahead with his third goal in the World Cup.
As many as Enner Valencia, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Rashford and Cody Gakpo – which makes the striker joint top scorer so far this year.
The Atletico Madrid star is having a very good tournament
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty
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