World Cup: Chelsea star reacts to claim Spain intentionally lost to Japan

Chelsea defender and Spain international Cesar Azpilicueta, has reacted to the claim that they intentionally lost to Japan because they knew Germany would be eliminated from the 2022 World Cup.

Luis Enrique’s side were tipped to win maximum points from their final fixture in Group E against Japan.

While Spain took the lead through Alvaro Morata, they ended up losing 2-1.

Spain still progressed into the Round of 16, but as runners-up in the group. That also meant they avoided the possibility of meeting Brazil in the quarter-finals.

“I was aware, in the second half [of the Germany scoreline] I was on the bench so I was aware of the situation.

“We are the first disappointed to not win the game so you can see what happened. It was difficult because it’s something that you cannot control, the other game. The only thing we could do was to try to give confidence and to help our teammates to win our game,” Azpilicueta said.

Spain will have new been paired to face Morocco for a place in the quarter-finals.