Spain struck just 12 minutes in, when Álvaro Morata, handed a start after becoming the first Spanish substitute to score in successive FWC games, nodded César Azpilicueta’s whipped cross past Shūichi Gonda.
Read Also
In a real game of two halves, Hajime Moriyasu’s words and substitutions at the break made an instant impact, as Japan struck back in stunning fashion through a quickfire double just minutes after the restart.
All of Spain’s first-half composure slipped away and with Costa Rica equalising against Germany, Enrique’s side knew that another goal from the Central Americans would mean they exited the tournament completely in a dramatic turnaround of fortunes.
News of a Costa Rica second injected panic into the Spanish players at the 70-minute mark, who appeared to be in disbelief at the sudden wave of blue shirts crashing upon them.
Whilst Germany would go on to win that contest, Spain’s youngsters had to fight tooth and nail in the final stages against a Japan side fired on by their fervent support, and despite not being able to force their way back into the game, La Roja avoided an early exit by the smallest of margins as they lived to fight another day.
