Rebelote for Germany!
World champion in 2014, the Mannschaft lost for the second time in a row at the opening of a World Cup.
After Mexico (1-0) in 2018 in Russia, it is Japan (2-1) who surprises the Germans this Wednesday in Qatar.
Manuel Neuer's teammates are already in great danger in Group E, also made up of Spain and Costa Rica.
Note that before kick-off, the Germans had sent a message to Fifa and Qatar.
Prohibited under penalty of sporting sanction from wearing a “One love” armband in favor of human rights and LGBTQI +, they had responded as a group, gagging in protest during the pre-match photo.
The match: dominating is not winning
But how could Germany have let Japan believe in it so much?
In the first period, the Japanese were down 1-0, had 17% possession, had only struck once on goal and managed only 67 passes in nearly 50 minutes of play... And yet, on returning from the locker room , Hiroki Sakai's teammates believed in it and gradually returned to the game, well helped by their goalkeeper, Shuichi Gonda.
To the point of succeeding, in the last quarter of an hour, in overthrowing a totally dominating Germany (26 shots in total).
Within eight minutes, entrants Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano knocked out Hans-Dieter Flick's players.
The first warning came from Rémois Junya Ito (73rd), whose attempt was repelled by Neuer (73rd).
[⚽️ GOAL VIDEO] 🏆 #beINFWC2022 #GERJPN
🤯🤯🤯 Amazing!!!
Japan takes the lead against Germany thanks to Asano, at the end of the suspense!https://t.co/jXNOENQcDx
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) November 23, 2022
For nearly 70 minutes, the Germans had however done everything well or almost.
Rewarded by a penalty from Ilkay Gundogan (33rd), they multiplied the opportunities thanks to Rüdiger (18th), Havertz (45th + 4), Gnabry (47th, 70th), Musiala (51st) or even Gudogan (60th).
Until a last opportunity to equalize for Goretzka (90th + 3).
Huge disappointment for the Mannschaft.
Player: Shuichi Gonda
Shuichi Gonda shone in this encounter.
He kept his country alive until the end by multiplying the decisive stops (8 in total).
The symbolic action of the Japanese match took place in the 70th minute with four parades in a row: one in front of the incoming Hofmann and three in front of Gnabry.
Saved by his post (60th), he could do nothing on the penalty signed Gundogan (33rd).
His German counterpart Manuel Neuer could also have been decisive, diverting an attempt from Rémois Ito (73rd) with an impressive parade with his left hand.
But the Bayern goalkeeper conceded the goal of the equalizer two minutes later (75th), then that of the Japanese victory signed Asano (83rd).
[📺 VIDEO] 🏆 #beINFWC2022 #GERJPN
🤯 Before the Japanese equalizer, Manuel Neuer had saved Germany from a completely crazy parade!
🔥🔥🔥 Stopping the tournament!
pic.twitter.com/E2eyZRgj5G
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) November 23, 2022
