World Cup 2022: Mexico Legend Sensationally Claims Spain Lost to Japan on Purpose

World Cup 2022: Mexico Legend Sensationally Claims Spain Lost to Japan on Purpose

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
In this article:
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FIFA World Cup
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  • Mexico icon Hugo Sanchez has sensationally claimed that Spain deliberately lost to Japan to avoid Brazi
  • Spain were stunned by Japan in their final group game, losing 2-1 to finish second in Group E behind Japan
  • Spain play Morocco in the last 16 and will only meet Brazil in the final
  • If they finished top, they would be on the same side of the bracket and would meet in the last eight

Mexico icon Hugo Sanchez has claimed that Spain purposefully lost to Japan to avoid a showdown with Brazil in the quarterfinal.

Football fans were treated to one of the most dramatic moments in World Cup history in Group E. Japan and Costa Rica were going through at some point in the match ahead of former champions Germany and Spain.

Spain, Gavi, Luis Enrique, 2022 World Cup, Japan, Brazil, Morocco
Spain can only meet Brazil in the final. Photos by Stu Forster and Baptiste Fernandez.
Source: Getty Images

Japan stunned 2010 winners Spain 2-1 to finish top of Group E and send Germany home. Japan's win was contentious as the ball appeared to go out in the build-up to Ao Tanaka's goal. A VAR check confirmed the goal.

Spain were cruising thanks to Alvaro Morata's goal but were shell-shocked in the second half by the Asian giants. Just like against Germany, they scored two quick goals to go ahead and defended resolutely to win the game.

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Sanchez claims about Spain

Sanchez, who played for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, thinks Spain lost to avoid a difficult tie against Brazil in the quarters, according to the Mirror.

"I assure you. I was not there and I’m not in the mind of Luis Enrique but he had thought about what was the best way to avoid playing Brazil in the quarter-finals. Yes there is a risk but it’s a risk worth taking. It’s not that they fear Brazil but they respect them."

Since Spain finished second in their group, they will play Morocco in their last of 16. If they were to reach the last eight, they will have to play Brazil if they finished top of the group.

Japan, 2022 World Cup, Spain
Japan have beaten Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup. Photo by Jewel Samad.
Source: Getty Images

By finishing second, they avoid Brazil until the final, if they reach that point.

Still, Spain could face top teams like France, England and Portugal before they reach the final.

Mexico fan lashes out at TV

Sports Brief earlier reported on a Mexico fan crashing his television after Mexico were painfully eliminated from the World Cup.

One distraught fan, who was unable to control his emotions, was captured on camera smashing his television set.

While sporting a Mexico shirt, the yet-to-be-identified man punched his TV until it broke before he reached for his knife and struck it several times.

This was the first time since 1978 Mexico had failed to progress to the next round of the global football showpiece.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.