Germany was caught after Argentina in Qatar World Cup. Two superpowers and former world champions were crushed two days in a row. Argentina was defeated by Saudi Arabia. Another Asian team, Japan, gave birth to another incident after defeating Germany today. Germany lost 2-1 to Japan in a Group E match on the 14th day of the season Earlier in the day, Argentina lost to a relatively weak opponent, Saudi Arabia, by an equal margin.
Germany is one of the most successful teams in world football. They have the achievement of winning the most times after Brazil. When the World Cup comes, it becomes a different team. Every World Cup comes with the title of favorite. Despite being champions in the 2014 World Cup, Germany’s memory of the World Cup in Russia is not sweet. Thomas Müller had to withdraw from the group stage. The campaign also ended in the last sixteen of the 2020 Euro Cup. The World Cup campaign in Qatar did not go well for Hans Flick’s team. Nazis were destroyed by Japanese bombers. Japan had to lose by 1-2. Qatar witnessed another incident. The Asian country caused the accident.
Germany stormed from the start of the match. Attacking the Japanese box one after another. But could not penetrate the net. Finally, Germany went ahead with the penalty in the 31st minute. Joshua Kimmich lofted a high ball to David Raum in the Japan box from the right. When Raum caught the ball, Japan goalkeeper Switch Ganda tackled him with his feet first. In the next moment, he jumped. The referee awarded a penalty. Gundogan put Germany ahead with a goal from the penalty spot.
After falling behind, Japan came out of the defensive shell and increased the attack. The Japanese footballers knew that they would not be able to make long passes against the tall-looking German footballers. So, they kept the ball on the ground and attacked at a fast pace. But Antonio Rudiger was unstoppable in Germany’s defense. Japan could not benefit. On the other hand, Nabri, Thomas Muller,and Gundogan were handling the Japanese defense by attacking one after the other. In first-half injury time, Kai Havertz put the ball in Japan’s net from a quick attack. That goal was disallowed for offside.
In the 60th minute, Germany had a chance to increase the gap. Gundogan took a great shot after receiving the ball from Jamal Musiala. The ball hits the post and goes out. In the next minute, Takuma Asano took a shot at Germany’s goal in a counterattack. His shot went over the bar. Japan goalkeeper Ganda made great saves three times in 70 minutes. First Musiala’s shot, then Nabri’s shot and head. Japan had a chance to equalize in the 73rd minute. Eto’o’s shot was saved by Manuel Neuer with one hand.
However, the German goalkeeper could not protect the fortress for long. Japan equalized in the 74th minute. Minamino came up from the left and raised the ball in the German box. Mitoma’s shot is saved by Nuer and the rebound goes to Doan Ritsu. He equalized with a quick shot.
The surprise of the match was in the 83rd minute. Itakura extended a long ball from midfield. Takamo Asano scored the winning goal for Japan from an awkward angle. Japan’s sunrise over the Middle Eastern desert. And as a result of the victory, all calculations of the group stage have changed. The other teams in the group have to recalculate.