Japan and Spain can win the group or be eliminated from the World Cup when they meet and Group E promises to be a tense finale.
La Roja are currently top of the group, but they can still be knocked out if they lose their last game and Costa Rica beat Germany.
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Spain lead a very competitive Group E
A draw will be enough to see Luis Enrique’s side through, although they hope to qualify for the knockout stages as group winners.
For Japan, they can also take first place if they beat Spain, but if they lose, they will be knocked out of the competition in the group stages.
However, just like their opponents, one point would suffice if Costa Rica and Germany also draw.
Japan vs Spain: talkSPORT coverage
This clash of Group E will take place on Thursday, December 1st.
The match will be played at the Khalifa International Stadium and will start at 7 p.m.
talkSPORT 2 will provide live coverage of the match presented by Adrian Durham and with commentary from Jim Proudfoot and former England defender Stuart Pearce.
talkSPORT World Cup 2022 coverage
talkSPORT brings you comprehensive coverage of the 2022 World Cup.
We broadcast all 64 matches of the tournament live, with over 600 hours of coverage on our network.
You can tune into talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2 via our free online streaming service at talkSPORT.com.
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Japan came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in their first group game
Japan vs Spain: Squads
Japan team
- Goalkeepers: Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt, Eiji Kawashima
- Defenders: Miki Yamane, Hiroki Sakai, Maya Yoshida, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Yuto Nagatomo, Yuta Nakayama
- Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita, Ao Tanaka, Gaku Shibasaki, Kaoru Mitoma, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Junya Ito, Takumi Minamino, Takefusa Kubo, Yuki Soma
- Forwards: Daizen Maeda, Takuma Asano, Ayase Ueda
Spain team
- Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez, David Raya
- Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta, Dani Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba, Pau Torres, José Gaya, Hugo Guillamon
- Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Gavi, Pedri, Carlos Soler, Koke, Marcos Llorente
- Forwards: Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Ansu Fati, Nico Williams, Pablo Sarabia, Yeremy Pino, Dani Olmo
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Spain have beaten Costa Rica seven times in their opening game
Japan vs Spain: match facts
- Álvaro Morata has scored in his two appearances for Spain at the 2022 World Cup, with both goals coming on as substitutes. Only one player has scored in his first three World Cup appearances for Spain, Telmo Zarra having done so in 1950.
- No player has taken more shots (7) or created more chances (2) for Japan at the 2022 World Cup than Takuma Asano. Indeed, the 28-year-old scored one of Japan’s only two goals in the tournament so far, with his strike against Germany on MD1 being the winner (2-1).
- Of all the Group E sides at the 2022 World Cup, no player has been involved in more open streaks ending in shots (14) or goals (4) than Spaniard Dani Olmo.
- Japan have conceded one goal in their two games at the 2022 World Cup. Against Germany on MD1 they faced 26 shots, nine on target and had an xG against of 3.1, while against Costa Rica last time out they conceded the same amount despite only four shots, one on target and a 0.1 xG against.
- Japan could qualify for the knockout stages at back-to-back World Cup tournaments for the first time in their history. In this event, Hajime Moriyasu would be the third Japanese manager to lead Japan to the knockout stages of a World Cup tournament, after Takeshi Okada in 2010 and Akira Nishino in 2018.
- Spain are now unbeaten in their last seven World Cup matches (W3 D4) – only once in their history have they enjoyed a longer run in the competition without suffering defeat (10 matches between 1998 and 2006) .
- Japan have lost three of their last four World Cup games (W1), as many as in their previous nine games at the tournament (W3 D3), as they seek to avoid failing to score in World Cup matches. consecutive world for the first time since 1998 (against Argentina and Croatia).
- Spain have won their last group match in eight of their last nine FIFA World Cup appearances, barring a 2-2 draw with Morocco last time out in 2018.
- Spain have never lost in their previous five FIFA World Cup matches against Asian opponents (W3 D2), although they were eliminated on penalties by Korea Republic in 2002 after the one of those draws.
- Spain have won their only previous meeting with Japan in all competitions, winning a friendly 1-0 in April 2001.
Watch the World Cup with talkSPORT
At talkSPORT, we’re powered by fans, so come join us for the ultimate World Cup fan experience this winter – at the talkSPORT fan zone.
In a huge covered room under the arches of Waterloo in London, we will bring you live screenings of every World Cup game.
There will be Q&A with talkSPORT talent, you’ll be part of our live shows and plenty of food and drink will be on offer too.
Come and have the best World Cup fan experience in London – and enjoy a complimentary pint – with tickets for all remaining matches on sale HERE!
