Japan top group in thrilling win to send Germany out

The ultimate lost cause; a win of historic proportions. A game of literal inches; a night of monumental drama. One former World Cup winner is out. Another no longer looks like potential champions. Japan, against that, have emerged as one of the stories and revelations of this tournament.

- MIGUEL DELANEY

Kaoru Mitoma's heroic chasing of a ball that seemed certain to go out of play saw Ao Tanaka score a goal for the ages on another night that will reverberate through football history. It didn't just mean Japan did to Spain what they did to Germany with another 2-1 comeback. It meant they finished ahead of both in the group to subject Germany to the humiliation of elimination and Spain to the embarrassment of finishing second after having almost everything their own way.

They now look flawed and vulnerable rather than imperious and victorious, as well as pathetically dependent on a German favour.

It was, in truth, a night when justice was done after all sorts of trials and errors. Everyone got what they deserved. Japan are full value as group winners, since they were the one side that gave everything they had. Spain did not deserve to win either the game or the group given how arrogantly complacent they became in their own quality. Germany couldn't beat Japan and could barely muster a victory against Costa Rica.

It ended up being what Spain required. They no longer look anything close to favourites. An irony, however, is that they arguably have a more forgiving path through. They shouldn't take Morocco too lightly on this evidence, though. Japan will meanwhile fancy facing anyone as they take on Croatia.

Qatar has more memorable moments, more nation-making performances, with which the country will always be associated. That's sports washing. It makes it all the more pointed that - on the pitch - this was football at its purest, with all its glorious unpredictabilities.