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Jamal Musiala pulls his jersey down over his face after a missed chance
Photo:
Federico Gambarini / dpa
The German national soccer team lost their opening game at the World Cup in Qatar despite numerous chances to score. The DFB selection, which seemed superior for a long time, lost 1: 2 (1: 0) against Japan. The international media reactions.
Italy:
»La Repubblica«:
»The fall of the gods: after Argentina, Germany too falls.«
»Gazzetta dello Sport«:
»Germany's hara-kiri: Japan pulls off the coup and wins 2-1 after catching up.«
Switzerland:
»Blick«:
»The spit stays away.
Instead of starting the World Cup with an easy victory, Germany is already in trouble after 90 minutes in Qatar.
(...) Japan creates the sensation.
And leaves the whole of Germany speechless.«
Netherlands:
»Algemeen Dagblad«:
»Germany makes an impression with a statement, but doesn't let its legs speak and goes down against Japan.
Germany only impressed ahead of the game against Japan on Wednesday.
With a cracking statement against Fifa, the players gave a clear message.
The performance afterwards was much less convincing.
Which meant: Just like four years ago, the team experienced another unsuccessful start, this time with the 1: 2 against Japan.«
Great Britain:
»The Sun«:
»The Mexicans waved them goodbye four years ago.
And when the Mexican wave swept through the Chalifa Stadium, Germany could be on the way home again quickly thanks to the Japanese super substitutes.”
Spain:
"AS":
"Harakiri from Germany: Flick's men couldn't close a game they controlled and the Japanese spirit led to the second big surprise of this World Cup."
UNITED STATES:
Washington Post:
Japan's 2-1 win over Germany from a 1-0 deficit doesn't quite match the miracle of Saudi Arabia's 2-1 win over Argentina, but it added another treasure to the World Cup.
»New York Times«:
»These are the days when the mighty fall.
On day three of the World Cup, Argentina were left reeling after a crushing defeat.
On day four it was Germany's turn.
Another of the tournament favorites was shocked and humiliated by a supposed point provider.«
ara/dpa