FIFA World Cup : Germany vs Japan

In another shocker of an upset in this World Cup, Cup Contender Germany lost to Japan 1-2 in Group E. For the second World Cup in a row, Germany have lost their opening game. 

The Samurai men had started the contest strongly, having an early sniff at the goal ruled out for offside, as Germany gradually took control of the game. Left back David Raum kept pushing up regularly & won a penalty as the Japanese keeper Shuichi Gonda brought him down inside the box, & Gundogan made no mistake in slotting the ball home down the middle. At that stage, German juggernaut rolled in full steam, creating chances after chances, as Gnabry & Kimmich tested the Japan defense regularly & Havertz tapped in a Gnabry rebound, only to be ruled offside by VAR check. First half, was all of Germany swamping the Samurai men. 

2nd half too saw Germany dominating, as Japan held on in defense. 19 year old German prodigy Musiala toyed with the Japanese players number of times, but his finishing left a lot to be desired, as was the case with his team members. Eventually, the wasted chances paid back dearly, as Japan equalised with only 15 mins of play left, as Mimota, Minamino & Doan combined wonderfully to put the ball past a hapless Neuer. Buoyed by this success, Japan pressed hard & Itakura's long ball from their own half finds Asano, who darted into the box & his angular shot beat Neuer to bed into the roof of the net. Japan were leading 2-1. Germany pushed hard to retain parity, but even 8 minutes of added time did not give them any joy, as the men in Blue from the Land of Rising Sun prevailed in one of the biggest upsets of this World Cup. Japan had won the game with just 26.2% of possession in the whole game - it was a masterclass in patience & composure as they waited for their time & struck when it mattered. With Spain & Costa Rica to play, it is advantage Japan for now.  

Two heavyweights, Argentina & Germany stunned to defeat by two Asian Countries within a span of two days - WOW.