There was a piece in the works about Spain's four extremely exciting young players, I promise.
Pedri was running the game at times in first half, Gavi was a bundle of energy and enthusiasm, Nico Williams is eye-catchingly quick and Alejandro Balde, at 19, was playing like someone with the assuredness of a 29-year-old.
Spain ran the first half at the Khalifa International Stadium, and although there were one or two slightly hairy moments when they dallied on the ball at the back, inviting the Japanese press, that was of course all in the plan.
