Spain coach Luis Enrique blamed a "total loss of control" during a five-minute second-half period for his team's shock 2-1 defeat by Japan on Thursday.
Despite the defeat, Spain joined their opponents in the last 16 of the World Cup by virtue of a better goal difference than Germany, who finished third in Group E on four points following a 4-2 win over Costa Rica.
La Roja, among the favourites to win the tournament, would have been eliminated if Costa Rica had held on to beat Germany.
Alvaro Morata sent Spain in front early on but two strikes in four minutes from Japan at the start of the second half turned the game on its head.
"[It was] five minutes of total lack of control, of panic, even," said Luis Enrique.
"They scored two goals against us, and if they had needed to score two more, then they would have scored them too, I'm sure.
"This is a World Cup and when a team like Japan does not have anything to lose, well, they decide to risk it all and flew past us like they were aeroplanes.
"The situation was under control once Japan decided to recover their previous position on the pitch and shut up shop at the back."
Player ratings
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JAPAN RATINGS: Shuichi Gonda - 7, While there was nothing he could do about Alvaro Morata’s header, Gonda saved the striker’s instinctive shot and punched away Dani Olmo’s corner delivery. Was helped by Maya Yoshida after saving Marco Asensio’s shot, then made a vital stop to deny Olmo near the end. EPA -
Kou Itakura - 7, Switched off for the opener and then struggled to match Morata’s run as the striker got a shot off. Booked for going through the back of Pedri. However, he was solid in the second period, even if he couldn’t beat Unai Simon with his header from the edge of the box. EPA -
Maya Yoshida - 8, Scrambled the ball away from Morata and Olmo, then stepped forward well to intercept Pau Torres’ pass before epitomising Japan’s struggles in the first half and losing it immediately. Booked for going through the back of Morata. Made some brilliant clearances in the second half, including an instinctive one to keep the ball away from Ferran Torres in the six-yard box. EPA -
Shogo Taniguchi - 9, Was solid defensively, making a great block to stop Olmo’s shot from the edge of the box. Booked for a late challenge on Gavi. Dealt with Marco Asensio’s cross well and headed away Olmo’s ambitious strike as he played a key role in ensuring that Spain couldn’t find an equaliser. Getty Images -
Junya Ito - 8, Hit the side netting from a promising position but most of his work was of a defensive nature, and he did well to stand up against Olmo when it looked as though he’d been beaten. Did brilliantly to put Alejandro Balde under pressure and win the ball in the build-up to Ritsu Doan’s goal. AFP -
Hidemasa Morita - 7, While his passing in the first half wasn’t the best, Morita made a series of important defensive contributions, especially in the second half, notably cutting out Pau Torres’ pass in added time. AP Photo -
Yuto Nagatomo - 6, Defended well for large periods, including when he slid in to keep the ball away from Gavi. Looked forward at times but was let down by players mistiming their runs. AFP -
Ao Tanaka - 7, Passed the ball well in tight spaces. Scored the goal that put Japan ahead with his thigh, then put in a shift for the team and took a blow to the head when going up for a header with Rodrigo. Getty Images -
Takefusa Kubo - 4, Worked hard for the team but lacked any real conviction with the ballt. Notably played a wasteful pass after Daizen Maeda had won possession in Spain’s box. EPA -
Daizen Maeda - 6, Was sharp in the early stages, robbing Sergio Busquets in his own box. Even though he had very little service, the striker picked his moments to press and gave Unai Simon an awkward moment. AFP -
Daichi Kamada - 6, Roamed offside on a couple of occasions and had a shot blocked. Struggled to have any impact on the game in the first half, finding himself surrounded by three Spaniards on one occasion. Stepped up a bit more in the second period. EPA -
SUBS: Kaoru Mitoma (Nagatomo HT) - 8, Brought extra energy and did superbly to reach Doan’s cross. Put in some brilliant defensive work when called upon. Did well to race up the pitch and set up a chance for Takuma Asano. AFP -
Ritsu Doan (Kubo, HT) - 9, Stunned Spain by smashing his effort past Simon within three minutes of coming off the bench, then delivered the cross that resulted in Tanaka scoring. Also put in a lot of good defensive work and helped block Jordi Alba’s shot towards the end. EPA -
DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 01: Takuma Asano of Japan controls the ball against Sergio Busquets of Spain during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Japan and Spain at Khalifa International Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Mason / Getty Images) -
Takehiru Tomiyasu (Kamada 69) - 7, Did brilliantly to match Alba’s run and marshal the ball out of play, then ensured Ansu Fati couldn’t get a clear cross as Japan saw out the win. Getty Images -
Wataru Endo (Tanaka 87’) - NR/, Came on for the final minutes to help Japan secure the three points that ensured they top the group. Getty Images -
SPAIN RATINGS: Unai Simon 4 - The shot for Japan’s equaliser was a fast one, but the goalkeeper should have saved it. Uneasy on a cross two minutes later which led to Doan’s second. Not good enough. AP -
Cesar Azpilicueta 7 - Assisted the opening goal, put his foot on the ball then floated a ball perfectly for Morata, reviving an old Chelsea connection. AP Photo -
Rodri 6 - Assured in the first half, floundered when Japan’s second went in and then gave the ball away which led to another Japan attack. Touched the ball 218 times – no player has come close to that figure in this World Cup finals. AFP -
Pau Torres 6 - The Villarreal defender blocked one of the few first-half Japanese attacks, but wobbled big time in the second half as did his team became woefully complacent and deserved to lose. AP -
Alejandro Balde 6 - Fast, strong, young. Only made his Spain Under 21 debut in September and his full debut last week – after he came into the squad because of an injury to Gaya. Unable to clear a poor ball from his goalkeeper before the first goal and then the ball went through his legs before Japan’s disallowed second. AP Photo -
Gavi 6 - Another cog in the well-oiled Spanish team who are excellent in - and for the 12% of time when they don’t have the ball – out of possession. Yet that model was shot to pieces by two quick Japanese goals. EPA -
Pedri 6 - Effective in the first half when fouled in a yellow card challenge after 38 minutes – a time when Spain looked so comfortable that anything but a victory for La Rioja seemed implausible. EPA -
Nico Williams 6 - Played high like Olmo which helped hold Japan back, but effective between the midfield and defence. Had a shot on goal on 45. EPA -
Alvaro Morata 7 - His first start and gave Spain the lead after 11 minutes, getting between the two central defenders to head home. Fine positioning. Three games, three goals in the finals and 30 in 60 for Spain. EPA -
Dani Olmo 7 - Stayed high to pin Japan back in front of the 44,851 fans. Had an 89th minute chance to equalise, but side-footed the ball straight at the goalkeeper. Had more shots than any other player. AP Photo -
SUBS: Dani Carvajal 6 - On for Azpilicueta on 46 – and he walked into a storm. Needed for last gasp defending just to keep Japan at 2-1. EPA -
Ferran Torres 5 - On for Morata after 56. Combined well with Olmo with a one-two but Spain couldn’t get an equaliser to top the group. Getty -
Jordi Alba 5 - On for Balde after 68 - and one of seven Barcelona men who played for Spain in this game. EPA -
Ansu Fati 5 - On for Gavi after 68. Manager Luis Enrique had spoken glowingly of him before the match, but limited impact. EPA
Ritsu Doan netted the equaliser for Japan in the 48th minute before Ao Tanaka bundled home an extremely controversial second.
The ball appeared to go out of play before Kaoru Mitoma crossed the ball to him, but after a long VAR check, officials granted the goal.
"I have seen a photo that must have been tampered with, it cannot be that this photo is real. It has to be manipulated," said Luis Enrique.
"I felt that something fishy was going on when the VAR took as much time as it did to decide ... I have nothing to say.
"Luckily the team only goes into collapse mode once every four years, otherwise I wouldn't be able to cope."
Spain will face Morocco in the last 16 after the defeat and Luis Enrique believes his team did not deserve to finish as group winners.
"Japan go through first and it's deserved because they beat Germany and Spain," he said the coach.
"The mourning and the pain, we'll go through that tonight, there's nothing to celebrate.
"We have gone through second, yes, but this has to serve as a warning to be aware that this is going to happen.
"If against Morocco we have the fortune to go in front, Morocco, will risk it all at full pelt again.
"We have to show more strength in the moments when the opposition is pressing us."
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu praised the perseverance of his players after they stunned a second World Cup-winning nation in almost identical circumstances in the space of little more than a week to secure passage to the last 16 .
"Spain are one of the best teams in the world and we knew before the game that this was going to be very difficult, and indeed it was," the enigmatic Moriyasu told reporters.
"But the players persisted and they persevered and they turned the tide of the game. Everybody was excited that we were able to play as one again.
"There were many fans who came all the way from Japan, as well as those that stayed at home. We are gifting this win to the people of Japan, and we are very happy about it."
