Germany fall to Japan: Three thoughts from another World Cup surprise

Germany have lost yet another opening World Cup group stage game. The defeat to Japan likely means yet another early exit from what used to be a proud World Cup nation.

For the second World Cup in a row, Germany are staring at a group stage exit in the face as they lost their opening game at the Khalifa International Stadium to Japan. Ilkay Gündogan opened the scoring from the spot (33’), and Germany had all the possession in the world, but Japan came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to goals by Ritsu Doan (76’) and Takuma Asano (83’).