Luis Enrique admitted he would have had a “heart attack” after Spain’s incredible World Cup scare.
Japan pulled off a major shock and Spain had a major let-off because they were heading out with Germany for three minutes during a topsy turvy night in Group E. Spain eventually went through on goal difference after Germany beat Costa Rica but Enrique admitted he was blissfully unaware that his side were on their way out.
Spain boss Enrique said: “We were knocked out? I didn’t know this. Why? I was paying attention to my match. I am not happy because we were defeated. Were we knocked out? If I found that out I would have had a heart attack.”
Enrique also questioned Japan’s winning goal which stood despite the ball appearing to go out of play but VAR allowed Ao Tanaka’s winner to stand.
Enrique added: “Images must be wrong or fabricated? I saw an image and said that picture can’t be true. I have nothing else to say. I have full respect. I knew something was wrong asVAR was taking so long.”
Jubilant Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu said: “We played against Spain who are one of the best teams in the world and knew before the game it was going to be tough and difficult.
“We played as one. There were probabilities to win. I think our win is owed to the fans and are gifting the win to the fans from Japan.”
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Spain had made an early statement in their first group game, putting seven unanswered goals past Costa Rica. A 1-1 draw with Germany meant a draw with Japan would see them through to the last 16, but the second-half turnaround made for a nervy few moments.
Only a Costa Rica victory against Germany would have sent Spain home, and the Central American side trailed at half-time. They briefly had a foot in the knockout stages after goals from Yeltsin Tejeda and Juan Pablo Vargas, only for Germany to get themselves back in front with Kai Havertz scoring twice and fellow substitute Niclas Fullkrug also on target.
Spain will face Morocco in the next round, with Walid Regragui's team beating Canada to claim top spot in their own group. Japan's reward for topping their group ahead of Spain is a last-16 clash with a Croatia side who, like Morocco, conceded just once across their three matches.
Enrique's team will need to wait until Tuesday for their first knockout game. If they win that match, they will face either the winners of group H or the runners-up in group G at the quarter-final stage, potentially meaning a reunion with a Portugal team with whom they played out a 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup.
