Japan beat Spain (2-1) to top Group E, but the Japanese team’s win sparked controversy around the world.

Spain players at the World Cup Qatar 2022Photo: Ken Satomi/AP/Profimedia

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Apart from the Japanese second goal, which was confirmed by VAR consultation, many pundits said that Spain deliberately lost to Japan to get an easier draw.

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Hugo Sanchez believes Spain lost to Japan on purpose to avoid Brazil or Argentina in the competition’s top stages

Ex-Mexico international and ex-Real Madrid player Hugo Sánchez is confident that the Spaniards knew very well what they were doing against Japan, even if the Iberians were also eliminated from the competition at one point.

By finishing second in their group, Spain will avoid Brazil or Argentina on their way to the World Cup finals in Qatar.

“I assure you (not that Spain lost to Japan on purpose). I wasn’t there and Luis Enrique wasn’t thinking about me, but he was certainly thinking about how best to avoid playing Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Yes, there was a risk, but the risk was worth it. Brazil is not feared, but respected.

Obviously, the coach and the players will never admit it, but I’m sure it happened.” Hugo Sanchez told ESPN.

In the Round of 16, Spain will face a Morocco side who left Belgium at home to win Group F, which also includes Croatia and Canada.

Luis Enrique does not consider Morocco a profitable opponent for Spain

On the other hand, the coach of the Spanish national football team said at the end of the game against Japan that he was not satisfied with the attitude of his pupils and said that Morocco will not be an easy opponent for the Iberians.

“I am not happy at all. I wanted to be first and win. Japan has overtaken us. We started well, scored and had no problems in defence.

At half-time I told them to be careful with Japan, but unfortunately we were not so focused and came close to collapsing.

I have nothing to celebrate, I am not happy at all.

We need to recover emotionally. We are playing against the opening of the World Cup, we have to prepare as much as possible because there are 16 teams left and we have to improve. It will be very difficult.” – said Luis Enrique.