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

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 the best way was to avoid playing Brazil in the quarterfinals.

"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 is likely to meet Portugal in the quarterfinals, dodging a possible clash with Brazil.