2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar: Japan came from behind to stun Germany 2-1

Japan raised many eyebrows when they came from behind to force Germany to start their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar campaign with a 2-1 defeat.

Midway through the first half, VAR was called into action to review a potential penalty for the Germans after a Japan defender appeared to have handled the ball inside the penalty box but after the review, Germany weren’t handed a penalty.

In the 31st minute, Germany received a penalty after there was an infringement inside the penalty box and Ikay Gundogan converts from the spot to hand the Germans the lead.

On the stroke of half-time, Germany thought they had kept their lead safe when Kai Havertz scored the second goal but the Chelsea forward’s effort was rightly ruled out for an offside.

Shortly after the interval, Musiala went close to getting his first ever World Cup goal but his effort from close-range after a brilliant individual performance was dreadful.

Ikay Gundogan tried his luck from a distance but his superb strike came off the goal post. Gnabry was denied twice in the 70th minute by Japan’s goalie Gonda from close-range. 

It was becoming clearer that Germany’s failure to bury their chances could take its toll later on in the game and that eventually happened.

Japan forced Neuer into making a great save in the 73rd minute and but failed to score from the rebound that was in a goalscoring chance.

The Asian side fought even harder and then got the equaliser in the 75th minute after a decent effort from Ritsu Doan. In the 82nd minute, they completed their comeback, thanks to a fine finish from Takuma Asano.

Germany tried to salvage a point in the closing stage but the additional seven minutes weren’t enough for Hansi Flick and his men.

The Germans got knocked out in the group stage in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and their next game is against Spain. Any result other than a win will, in no doubt, cast doubts on Germany’s qualification to the next round.