Luis Enrique, the coach of the Spain national soccer team, admitted that he was unaware that they were on the brink of elimination from the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage during their match against Japan.
Spain have qualified for the round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after Luis Enrique’s men finished second in Group E. Joining Spain in Group E were Germany, Japan and Costa Rica. Spain had started their campaign with a 7-0 win over Costa Rica in their opening match at the latest edition of FIFA’s flagship event.
The European heavyweights, led by Luis Enrique, followed with a 1-1 draw with Germany. Spain headed into their final group stage game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, knowing that avoiding defeat would undoubtedly confirm their place in the next stage of the competition.
Spain faced Japan in their third game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, losing to the Asian nation 2-1. Despite the defeat, Spain qualified for the round of 16.
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Luis Enrique did not know that Spain was on the verge of elimination from the group stage of the FIFA World Cup
Spain and Luis Enrique would have been shown the exit door if Costa Rica were to defeat Germany in a Group E game that started at the same time as Spain vs Japan.
Had Costa Rica secured a win against Germany, they and Japan would have qualified for the round of 16. Costa Rica came close to doing so, taking a 2-1 lead against Germany, before Hansi Flick’s men sealed a 4-2 victory.
In the end, Japan and Spain qualified for the round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup from Group E. Japan advanced to the next stage of the competition as winners of Group E. Spain, which finished second, had four points, the same as Germany. But superior goal difference helped Spain seal their place in the round of 16.
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Speaking after the match, Luis Enrique admitted that he was unaware that they were on the verge of elimination from the group stage during the match against Japan.
“I wasn’t following the other game, just concentrating on my game,” Enrique said after the game. “What I’m saying is honest: I only came here to win today’s game. I want my team to play the best it can be and keep improving. If I had known we were out, I would have had a heart attack.”
For its part, Spain will face Morocco for a place in the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The match between Luis Enrique’s men and Morocco will begin at 8:30 p.m. 6th of December.
