Qatar 2022: Spain lost deliberately to Japan to avoid playing Brazil – Hugo Sanchez

Mexico football legend, Hugo Sanchez, has claimed Spain deliberately lost to Japan so they would avoid Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Sanchez was asked by ESPN: “You are assuring me that Spain looked for this result to avoid Brazil?’

And he replied: “I assure you. I was not there and I’m not in the mind of Luis Enrique but he had thought about what was the best way to avoid playing Brazil in the quarter-finals.

“Yes there is a risk but it’s a risk worth taking. It’s not that they fear Brazil but they respect them.”

Spain lost 2-1 to Japan in their final group game on Thursday.

They will now play Morocco in the Round of 16.

Should they beat the North Africans, Spain are likely to meet Portugal in the quarter-finals, dodging a possible clash with Brazil.