WORLD CUP 2022
Group E World Cup 2022 final standings: Who qualified for the round of 16 and who is out?
Spain, Japan, Costa Rica and Germany all had hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup ahead of a dramatic matchday three.
World Cup Group E came to a dramatic conclusion on Thursday, with all four teams in the group – Spain, Japan, Costa Rica and Germany – all harbouring hopes of progressing to the 2022 World Cup round of 16. The big guns came out firing early on and it looked as if there would be no doubt about which two nations would occupy the top two spots come the final whistle. But soccer just isn’t that simple, is it?
Spain and Germany were in total control in the early stages but Japan and Costa Rica looked to be heading through at one point in the second period.
Japan shocked Germany in their opening group game, with a 2-1 victory against Hansi-Flick’s side the biggest win in their history…perhaps until their next 2-1 triumph, this time against Spain. At 1-0 down, and with the Germans a goal up, it looked as if the Japanese could be on their way home. But goals from Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka turned things around for Hajime Moriyasu’s men and they sensationally finished top of the group with six points and two massive scalps in the bag.
After demolishing Los Ticos by seven goals to nil in the opening game, Spain played out a 1-1 draw with Germany, which meant they weren’t totally assured of qualification before taking on Japan, who were just a point behind them in the table. An early header from Álvaro Morata appeared to have settled Spanish nerves but they slumped to a hugely disappointing 2-1 defeat and ended up depending on Germany coming from behind, which they did, against Costa Rica to sneak through in second spot on goal difference. Despite their 4-2 victory, the Germans, always one of the favourites to win the World Cup trophy, are on the way home.
Who has qualified for the round of 16 from Group E?
- Japan go through as Group E winners and are top seeds in the round of 16
- Spain go through as Group F runners-up but are unseeded in the round of 16
- Germany, for the second World Cup in a row, and Costa Rica fail to make it past the group stages
Who will Spain and Germany play in the round of 16?
Group E winners Japan will play Group E runners-up Croatia at Al-Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrahon Monday, 5 December 2022 (kick-off at 10am ET).
Group E runners-up Spain will face Group F winners Morocco at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on Tuesday, 6 December 2022 (kick-off at 10am ET).