Japan break record for lowest possession recorded by a winning side at World Cup since 1966

REVEALED: Japan’s 18 per cent possession in their shock 2-1 win over Spain is the LOWEST a winning team has recorded in a World Cup match since 1966… after they also beat Germany with just 27 per cent of the ball!

Japan shocked all in beating Germany and Spain to reach the last-16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – and the stats have laid bare the remarkable nature of their achievement.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side upset the odds in beating the two football giants – with five World Cups between them – to finish top of Group E and set up a seemingly winnable last-16 tie with Croatia. 

Key to their success was their ability to sit deep, made viable by their impressive backline, and hit the over-exposed sides on the break. 

Japan were forced - as they did against Germany - to sit in for large periods and contain

Japan were forced – as they did against Germany – to sit in for large periods and contain

Spain enjoyed lots of the ball and could have wrapped the game up by the break but Japan rode their luck and emerged victorious

Spain enjoyed lots of the ball and could have wrapped the game up by the break but Japan rode their luck and emerged victorious 

Indeed, such was the players’ ability to carry out their coach’s instructions, Japan broke the record for the lowest amount of possession held by a winning team in any World Cup fixture since 1966. 

Their 18 per cent possession of Spain outstripped South Korea’s 26 per cent against Germany in 2018 and their own 27 per cent against the same opposition in their Group E opener.

Forced to sit back and contain Spain for much of the first half, Japan trailed at the break thanks to a header from Alvaro Morata, notching his third goal in three games – seemingly ensuring his side finished top of the group. 

The Japan players ensured they carried out coach Hajime Moriyasu's instructions to a tee

The Japan players ensured they carried out coach Hajime Moriyasu’s instructions to a tee

The Japan players fell to the ground and celebrated wildly after they beat Spain to finish top of Group E

The Japan players fell to the ground and celebrated wildly after they beat Spain to finish top of Group E

However, coming out for the second half, Moriyasu made his – now – customary changes and Japan emerged out of their shell to leave Spain’s players dumbfounded and fearful of their place in the next round.

Ritsu Doan, introduced at half-time alongside Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, got Japan level just after the break with a lashed left-footed effort that was too powerful for Unai Simon in the Spain goal. 

With their tails up and knowing Germany were likely to defeat Costa Rica, Japan pressed for another, three minutes after their equaliser they had it through Ao Tanaka . The controversy surrounding their second – was the ball over the line or wasn’t it – took away from the astonishing nature of their achievement. 

Their policy of containment allowed them to hit an over-exposed Spain side on the break

Their policy of containment allowed them to hit an over-exposed Spain side on the break

Needing to protect their lead, Japan retreated back into their customary low block with Shogo Taniguchi, Maya Yoshida and Kou Itakura being joined by Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu to form a solid base which Spain, for all their possession, could not penetrate. 

Japan’s 27 per cent of the ball against Germany had seemed impressive, but sinking to 18 per cent has left many wondering how low can Japan go with their low block in attempting to keep their opponents at bay. 

Spain, meanwhile, were on the receiving end of another shock result that stemmed from a team in essence refusing to hold onto the ball when Switzerland beat them 1-0 at the start of the 2010 World Cup. Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side enjoyed just 27.12 per cent of the ball that day. 

Saudi Arabia’s famous victory over Argentina in Qatar last month completes the five lowest totals, with Herve Renard’s side recording just 31 per cent possession. 

Ritsu Doan changed the game off the bench for Japan as they stunned Spain to go through to the last-16 as Group E winners

Ritsu Doan changed the game off the bench for Japan as they stunned Spain to go through to the last-16 as Group E winners

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