Japan qualified for the round of 16 as Group E winners, defeating Spain 2–1; Alvaro Morata opened the scoring but Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka hit back; Japan’s winning goal was highly controversial, but VAR ruled in their favour.
A lengthy VAR check was held after the goal, but a decision was sensationally made in Japan’s favor, with the full curvature of the ball not deemed to have crossed the line, leaving Spain lethargic despite first-half dominance of the second half. , sweated through the final 16 games.
