Germany VS Japan – WC Match #10

Match #10 of the FIFA World Cup 2022 and the first game of Group E was a total upset. Japan won the match against Germany by making a comeback from 1-0 to 1-2. It is right to say that the Germans were unlucky. Germans did all they can but lost the game. The match was held in Khalifa Stadium, the same stadium where the Japanese won the Asian Cup. The atmosphere at Khalifa stadium was awesome.

Unfortunate Germany

Germany took lead in the first half after half an hour of starting whistle. Japan gave away the penalty. Gundogan scored the penalty as Gonda dived the wrong way. Then in extra time before half time Havertz tapped the ball in only to find himself offside, the goal was ruled out. They controlled the game despite the result. Germans attempted 26 shots and 9 of them were on target. They keep 74% possession. The three points of the 2014 champions were robbed in the second half. 

Upset by Japan

Japanese were mostly defending the ball throughout the game. They attempted 12 shots and 4 of them were on target but they were enough to seal the deal for them. They beat the Group E giants in a similar way that Saudi Arabia did to Argentina but the Saudis were not that bad on the stats. Japan somehow managed to score twice in the second half and won all the 3 points even after giving a penalty in the first half.

Neuer parried away the shot of Minamino but the Doan was the quickest to react and after the rebound, he smashed the ball into the goal. After just 8 minutes Asano scored a fantastic goal beating Schlotterbeck with his magnificent first touch and Neuer by smashing the ball into the roof of the goal from a tight angle. That was enough for them to win the game. After that, they just knew they had to defend the ball and they did by letting the Germans attack again and again.

Man of the match

Despite being on the losing side Jamal Musiala played really well. But the man of the match was Takuma Asano. He was a super substitute with instant impact. Asano came off the bench and seal the victory for Japan against Germany after beating one of the best goalkeepers in the world with a world-class goal. 

The German side protested against the one-love armband ban before the start of the game. All of them covered their mouth in the pre-match squad photos. Their minister still wore the band at the stands. Many pundits found this gesture disrespectful but some also praised it. Whenever politics are mixed with football, it spoils the beautiful game. Hopefully, we will see this game flourish more and more, and people will be able to put politics aside. 

There was another beautiful moment we saw after the game where Japanese fans stayed till the end of the game and cleaned the whole stadium. It was praised very much on social media. This is like a tradition now for Japan because we always see their fans doing that at every tournament.