Germany-Japan 1-2, another surprising result after Argentina’s thud: report cards, ratings, video and highlights
Another resounding flop. After Argentina’s historic, epoch-making thud in their debut against Saudi Arabia, another favourite for the final victory, Hansi Flick’s Germany, also fell on their debut at Qatar 2022. Just like that of Leo Messi and his teammates, it is a totally unexpected defeat and one that makes a lot of noise. And it threatens to complicate the path of the Germans, now almost forced to win against Spain. The cover, on the other hand, is all Japan’s, which takes the Mannschaft’s illustrious scalp and thus retraces Mexico’s footsteps. Yes, because even in 2018, in Russia, the adventure of Muller and his teammates began with a terrible disappointment, which then cost them elimination already in the group stage.
A match in which Flick’s formation paid dearly for the lack of nastiness shown in front of goal. Despite a first half that was essentially dominated thanks to their relentless dribbling, they only managed to score on a penalty kick with Gundogan on 33′ of the first half.
Germany-Japan 1-2, Doan and Asano send the Blue Samurai into orbit
Neuer
The absence of a pure centre forward is undoubtedly a big problem for Flick: Muller is not, nor is Havertz. His Germany does not break through and falls away in the distance. He therefore made the mistake of keeping Japan alive, who switched to a three-man defence and inserted three players who changed the fate of the match. One of these was Freiburg striker Doan, who on 31 minutes of the second half put it in to make it 1-1, picking up Neuer’s rebound from Minamino’s shot. The Nipponese turned it around and found the second goal after just seven minutes: the hero was Asano, another substitute, who, on 38′, seeded Schlotterbeck and slotted it under the crossbar, beating the Bayern Munich goalkeeper.