Japan fought back from a goal down to beat Spain 2-1 and win Group E of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, December 1.Alvaro Morata put La Roja in front in the 11th minute before Ritsu Doan (48') and Ao Tanaka (51') scored to put the Samurai Blue in front.Spain only needed a draw to advance as group winners and were certainly looking poised to do so after Morata broke the deadlock. He arrowed a fine header past Shuichi Gonda from a terrific cross by Cesar Azpilicueta as Luis Enrique's side found themselves in front early on.They remained dominant for the rest of the half and didn't allow their Asian rivals any room to breathe as a win was on the cards for them.ESPN FC@ESPNFCJAPAN DEFEAT SPAIN TO WIN GROUP E 280613824JAPAN DEFEAT SPAIN TO WIN GROUP E 🇯🇵 https://t.co/R4Alisupa2However, Japan returned from the break stronger and just three minutes into the restart, Doan equalized with a fine effort into the top corner of the net.Another three minutes later, Tanaka had them in front following a neat one-two with Kaoru Mitoma as Spain relinquished their lead in limp fashion.La Roja desperately sought to find their way back but an equalizer never arrived, and Japan progressed into the last-16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup as group winners.Spain now take on Morocco on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals whereas Japan face the runners-up of the 2018 World Cup, Croatia.Here are the player ratings for both teams:Japan Player RatingsShuichi Gonda - 8/10Japan's hero for the night with four important saves to frustrate the Spaniards.Kou Itakura - 6/10Itakura was booked for a challenge on Pedri in the 38th minute.Maya Yoshida - 6.5/10He went into the books in stoppage time for catching Morata.Shogo Taniguchi - 6.5/10He was shown a yellow card in the first half for a poor tackle on Gavi.Junya Ito - 7/10He was presented with a great chance to score in the eighth minute but smashed his effort into the side-netting.Ao Tanaka - 7.5/10Bundled the ball over the line to fire Japan in front.Statman Dave@StatmanDaveAo Tanaka’s game by numbers vs. Spain:37 touches18 passes completed3 interceptions2/2 aerial duels won1/1 ground duel won1 clearance1 shot1 goalScored the goal to take Japan to the Round of 16. 1328Ao Tanaka’s game by numbers vs. Spain:37 touches18 passes completed3 interceptions2/2 aerial duels won1/1 ground duel won1 clearance1 shot1 goalScored the goal to take Japan to the Round of 16. 🇯🇵 https://t.co/Ru3qJ3chJvHidemasa Morita - 7/10Shielded the back four and made three clearances.Yuto Nagatomo - 5/10Just four passes in 45 minutes of action. 'Nuf said.Takefusa Kubo - 5/10Almost as non-existent as Nagatomo, and he, too, was taken off at the break.Daizen Maeda - 4/10A marginal figure for large swathes of the game. It's a mystery how he lasted 62 minutes.Daichi Kamada - 6/10Thought he had the ball in space inside the Spanish half but the flag was raised.SubstitutesRitsu Doan (46' for Kubo) - 7.5/10Scored to equalize for Japan.B/R Football@brfootballJapan use Ritsu Doan off the bench.It was super effective 6033624Japan use Ritsu Doan off the bench.It was super effective 💥 https://t.co/787UPxus5EKaoru Mitoma (46' for Nagatomo) - 7/10Did well to cut back for Tanaka to score Japan's winner.Takuma Asano (62' for Maeda) - 5/10The match just flew past him.Takehiro Tomiyasu (69' for Kamada) - 3/10Completed just one pass in over 20 minutes of play.Wataru Endo (87' for Tanaka) - N/ANot enough time to make an impact.B/R Football@brfootballAfter a 7-0 win to start the group, Spain make it through to the last 16 on goal difference 2008279After a 7-0 win to start the group, Spain make it through to the last 16 on goal difference 😇 https://t.co/x11xPuBcY3Spain Player RatingsUnai Simon - 6/10The Spanish custodian made a save on Asano to prevent Japan from scoring a third goal.Cesar Azpilicueta - 7/10He floated an inch-perfect cross from the right for Morata to head home for Spain's opener.Rodri - 8/10Made excellent recoveries and completed over 200 passes in the game.Pau Torres - 7.5/10He ably complimented his centre-back partner's passing range but was found out in defense a few times.Alejandro Balde - 7/10The Barcelona youngster created a good chance for Dani Olmo towards the end of the first half.Gavi - 7.5/10Worked closely with his midfield cohorts Sergio Busquets and Pedri to run the show for Spain.Sergio Busquets - 6.5/10The Spain skipper tried to latch onto a rebound but failed to trouble the Japanese goalkeeper and got caught on the ball just minutes later.Pedri - 7/10Worked tirelessly in midfield and combined with Ansu Fati to create a good chance.Neco Williams - 6.5/10He got on the right flank nicely early on but faded as the game went by.Alvaro Morata - 7.5/10He put Spain in front with a fine header in the 11th minute.B/R Football@brfootballÁlvaro Morata is now Spain's fifth highest scorer of all-time with 30 goals in 60 appearances.Put some respect on his name 5503511Álvaro Morata is now Spain's fifth highest scorer of all-time with 30 goals in 60 appearances.Put some respect on his name 👏 https://t.co/LKcxTcI2rMDani Olmo - 6.5/10Tested the Japanese custodian Gonda with a fine strike in the 90th minute but he held firm.SubstitutesDaniel Carvajal (46' for Azpilicueta) - 6/10He dispossessed Ito when he was played through on goal in a moment of crucial intervention from the Real Madrid man.Ferran Torres (57' for Williams) - 5/10A peripheral figure.Marco Asensio (57' for Morata) - 6/10He stung Gonda's palms with a fine strike from distance.Ansu Fati (68' for Gavi) - 6/10Barcelona's star boy combined nicely with Pedri in the 90th minute but the chance fizzled out following a stray pass.