Mauricio Pochettino describes the ‘white faces’ of the Spanish FA as they faced elimination
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‘It was a really strange moment’: Mauricio Pochettino remembers watching Spain’s bosses ‘go white’ after Costa Rica went ahead against Germany, who looked set to knock them out of the World Cup, before the late collapse will send La Roja to the round of 16.
- Mauricio Pochettino claimed Spain’s bosses ‘went white’ in their last group match
- He recalled the ‘weird moment’ when they thought they could be eliminated
- Spain was about to be left out of the World Cup when Costa Rica beat Germany
- The German’s victory finally saved Spain despite a loss to Japan on Thursday.
Mauricio Pochettino has described the ‘crazy’ moment Spanish FA bosses ‘went white’ after nearly being knocked out of the World Cup, during a rollercoaster final round in Group E.
In a night of drama in Qatar, Japan and Spain qualified for the round of 16 of the tournament, leaving Costa Rica and Germany out of the competition. However, for a crazy three-minute stretch in the second half, the Spaniards were almost the team heading home.
With Spain surprisingly losing 2-1 to Japan, Costa Rica added to the shocking turn of events by taking the lead against Germany, leaving Spain and the Germans out of the final.
Mauricio Pochettino recalled seeing ‘white faces’ from the Spanish FA bosses after his team came close to elimination when Costa Rica led Germany.
The former Spurs boss was at the game and sat near some members of the Spanish FA.
Mauricio Pochettino was present at the match and said bbc sport before the coverage of the final matches of Group H he was sitting near the representatives of the Spanish Football Federation, who panicked when it appeared that they were out.
The former Spurs manager said: ‘It was a crazy moment for everyone. In the stadium, I saw the people from the Spanish federation turn white when Costa Rica was in front.
“There was a strange silence there and it was a very, very strange moment.”
Spain was defeated by Japan and at one point in the second half was about to exit the tournament.
Japan celebrate beating Spain and topping the group ahead of Germany and Spain
Fortunately for Luis Enrique’s men, Kai Havertz scored twice and Niclas Fullkrug added another as Germany beat Costa Rica to win the game 4-2.
That result in the end did not help Hansi Flick’s men, who were eliminated in the group stage for the second time in a row, but it meant that Spain finished runners-up in the group and went on to the round of 16.
Spain had started the group stage in stunning fashion by beating Costa Rica 7-0, before the Germans drew and then suffered defeat to Japan on Thursday night.
The Germans head home in the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup
The victory over the South Americans had seen Spain as one of the contenders to win the tournament, but Pochettino does not know if that is still the case.
He added: ‘I’m a bit worried about Spain. Morocco is a good team, with a lot of energy and they have done well here. At the beginning there was a lot of talk about Spain, now I’m not so sure.
Spain will now play Morocco in the round of 16 on Tuesday, after the African team topped their group ahead of Croatia and Belgium.