DOHA, Qatar -- This felt, for stretches, like a Champions League group stage game between potential tournament winners. You prod, you push, but, ultimately, you err on the side of caution because you know that you'll live to fight another day. And the damage of a resounding defeat -- even if only psychological, even if only to answer the barrage of criticism and questioning -- far outweighs the benefits of three points which, frankly, nobody will remember.
It could have been different, of course, if Japan had not somehow soiled the bed against Costa Rica earlier in the day, contriving to lose 1-0 to an opponent who had shipped seven goals against Spain and who, on paper, looked distinctly overmatched.