• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Japan stun Germany 2-1 in Group E opener

Home> Football

Updated 16:36 23 Nov 2022 GMTPublished 15:00 23 Nov 2022 GMT

Japan stun Germany 2-1 in Group E opener

Japan with a big win over Germany.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Japan came from behind to stun Germany 2-1 in their World Cup opener on Wednesday.

Second-half goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano helped Japan secure a big win in the Group E opener.

Doan smashed home from close range in the 75th minute, with Asano producing a moment of magic to put his team in front.

Advert

He controlled a long ball then fended off Nico Schlotterbeck before scoring from a tight angle.

Both Japanese goal-scorers ply their trade in Germany's Bundesliga, with Doan at Freiburg and Asano at Bochum.

Japan celebrate their second goal against Germany. Image: Alamy
Japan celebrate their second goal against Germany. Image: Alamy

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan had put his side in the lead after converting a penalty in the 33rd minute.

Advert

It comes just a day after minnows Saudi Arabia shocked Lionel Messi's Argentina.

They beat one of the World Cup favourites 2-1 and, just like Japan, came from behind to win their Group C clash.

Germany, who crashed out of the 2018 World Cup at the group stage round, face an uphill battle to qualify to the knockout stage, having suffered a shock defeat in the opening match of their campaign.

Speaking after the game, Thomas Muller said: "I feel we played well over long stretches, but in football you have to convert the superiority into goals. The efficiency wasn't there. It's ridiculous to start with a defeat.

"But when you see the way we conceded goals, you can say it wasn't an underserved loss."

Advert

He added: "We have to process this now. Accepting defeat is never easy. But we have to remain objective - the defeat is easy to analyze in football terms, but difficult to grasp emotionally. If you're not efficient in football, you won't win anything."

Germany return to action on Sunday when they face Spain before taking on Costa Rica next Thursday.

Japan, meanwhile, resume their Qatar venture against Costa Rica on Sunday.

Featured Image Credit: ITV/Alamy

Topics: Football, Germany, Japan, Football World Cup

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

X

@NasJabbar

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

12 hours ago
13 hours ago
14 hours ago
15 hours ago
  • 12 hours ago

    Shock Premier League club enter race to sign Rodrygo but one thing has to happen first

    Rodrygo has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid.

    Football
  • 13 hours ago

    What happens if England, Wales and Netherlands finish on the same number of points in the Women's Euros

    The three nations could have the same number of points in Group D.

    Football
  • 14 hours ago

    Sporting president sends brutal threat to Viktor Gyokeres in new statement as Arsenal target fails to return to training

    Viktor Gyokeres continues to be linked with a move away from Sporting Clube de Portugal.

    Football
  • 15 hours ago

    Premier League club 'ready to sell' key player this summer to avoid Real Madrid free transfer

    Real Madrid are preparing to secure another Premier League star as a free agent.

    Football
  • PSG vs Bayern Munich referee sparked outrage in Germany with decision that led to UEFA investigation
  • Toni Kroos points out the 'abnormal' thing he's spotted in Lamine Yamal that he's never seen before
  • Otter accurately predicted Japan would beat Germany at World Cup
  • Japan fans clean up stadium after World Cup shock vs Germany