Miracle of Doha 2.0: Japan rejoices again after controversial World Cup win

02-Dec-2022 04:28:48 | The Guardian

Crowds watch 2-1 win over Spain despite pre-dawn kick-off
Victory sends Samuari Blue into last 16 as group winners

It turns out that football miracles can strike twice. In quick succession, and in the same place. After their team’s shock defeat to Costa Rica at the weekend, many Japanese fans were bracing for an early exit from the Qatar World Cup at the hands of Spain on Thursday.

Instead, the Khalifa International Stadium was the backdrop to another extraordinary night for Japanese football, as the Samurai Blue beat the 2010 world champions 2-1 to send them into the last 16 and a meeting with the 2018 runners-up, Croatia. Victory in that match would take Japan to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.