Spain denies intentional defeat from Japan

Japan beat Spain 2-1.

EPA

The President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, denied rumors that his country deliberately defeated Japan 2-1 at the end of the group stage in order not to take the lead, with the aim of avoiding facing Brazil in the quarter-finals, as well as eliminating rivals Germany.

Spain ranked second in Group E with four points, outperforming Germany, which was deposited early in the tournament, on goal difference, while Japan topped with six points in a resounding surprise in Qatar.

And this arrangement prompted Spain to face Morocco in the round of sixteen, and if it wins, it will meet with Portugal or Switzerland, and thus it will face Brazil only in the final if the two teams continue in the tournament.

But the lead would have transferred Spain to the side of the draw, which includes Brazil, Argentina and Croatia.

Fans and analysts, including Hugo Sanchez, one of Real Madrid's all-time leading goalscorers, believed that the defeat by Japan was deliberate, although Spain were threatened with elimination within minutes of the match due to the result of the other group meeting between Germany and Costa Rica at the same time.

Mexican Sanchez told ESPN: “I confirm that (Spain coach) Luis Enrique thought of a way to avoid Brazil in the quarter-finals, it is a dangerous confrontation, but he will never admit it, no coach will say that he did not want the win".

But Rubiales responded to this speculation in the negative.

He said in an interview with the Qatar Cup TV Network: “I never think so. I know the coaching staff very well. We fought for the lead, but this was not possible.

In football, there is no room for calculations or mathematics. We think about each match alone, and we will face a really difficult team in the round of 16, which is Morocco, who plays almost at home because of the massive support of the fans in Qatar.

More than one player in Spain also defended the team, including midfielder Pedri.

"We did not think about any future confrontations," said the young Barcelona player.

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