Spain reveals a surprise about its intentional defeat by Japan to eliminate Germany.. Morocco is a European team

Some claimed that the Spanish national team deliberately lost to its Japanese counterpart, at the end of the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, last Thursday.


And the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, denied rumors about his country's intentional defeat against Japan 1-2 at the end of the group stage to eliminate rival Germany, revealing a surprise about the "Matador" who did not think at all about losing the top spot in the group in order to avoid facing Brazil in the first round. The eight, stressing that the Moroccan national team is very strong and is distinguished by its "European style".


Spain ranked second in Group E with four points, outperforming Germany, which left the tournament early 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 16, and if it wins, it will meet Portugal or Switzerland, and it will not face Brazil except 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 historic goalscorers, believed that the defeat by Japan was deliberate, although Spain was threatened with exclusion within minutes of the match due to the result of the other meeting in the group 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, "I never think so. I know the coaching staff very well. We fought for the lead, but this was not possible."


He continued, "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."


He added, "The Japan match was frustrating, but it is a lesson that must be learned from it. The tournament is full of surprises, and this is what makes it very special. When you lose your focus for five minutes, you can lose."


He continued, "Morocco is a European-class team. We know many of its players in Spain. They have physical strength and will complicate matters for us."


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


"We were out of the tournament for 10 or 12 minutes, because we saw the result of the other match on the screens," said the young Barcelona player, although Luis Enrique confirmed that he did not know that his team was in danger of being out for a few minutes before Germany advanced and then won 4-2. Costa Rica.


Pedri added, "We did not think about any future confrontations, we tried to equalize to avoid any problem and to finish top of the group, but we were unable to do so."

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