Spain Accused of Deliberate Loss to Japan to Avoid Brazil in World Cup

Responding to a question from the ESPN presenter who was trying to understand Spain’s defeat against Japan, Hugo Sanchez claimed that Luis Enrique "found the formula to avoid Brazil in the quarter-finals". "I’m not in Luis Enrique’s head... There is a risk, yes, and you take that risk," he said.

For the former Mexican striker, the Spanish team chose not to show their true identity in this match. "Do you think it’s normal for Japan to beat Spain? Honestly and directly, I say that we, the coaches, will never say: I let myself be beaten; but we can use substitutes. I’ve done it, I’ve used substitutes and Chivas has won. I’m aiming for the goal," Sanchez explained.

And he concluded: "Spain is not afraid of Brazil, it respects it and prefers to play Morocco first rather than Croatia. In life, strategy and tactics must be analyzed and you must think about what you want".