Fifa World Cup: Results and reaction from day three in Qatar
Germany and Japan meet in Group E of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar today.
For Germany, the match represents a chance to move on from their torrid world title defence four years ago, when die Mannschaft followed their 2014 triumph in Brazil by crashing out in the group stage in Russia. The latter tournament was Germany’s penultimate competition under Joachim Low, before he oversaw last summer’s last-16 exit to England at the Euros. Now, Hansi Flick leads his nation at a major tournament for the first time, as he looks to help restore their status as one of the super-powers of world football.
Japan, meanwhile, will play the role of underdogs but will be inspired by Saudi Arabia’s stunning 2-1 win over Argentina from Tuesday, and they can also draw faith from their 2018 World Cup campaign, in which they reached the last 16 and almost shocked Belgium to go even further. This clash with Germany does not mark the only tough test for Hajime Moriyasu’s players, however; Spain are also present in Group E, as are Costa Rica, whom the Spaniards face later this afternoon.
Follow all the action with our live blog below, after the conclusion of Morocco vs Croatia.
Germany vs Japan
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Germany 0-0 Japan
16 mins: Close from Rudiger!
A chipped corner to the back post is met by the head of Antonio Rudiger, whose header sails just wide of the near post!
Not a bad chance that – the Real Madrid defender’s reaction says that he should’ve done better!
Kieran Jackson23 November 2022 13:18
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Germany 0-0 Japan
14 mins: Japan doing a good job of nullifying any German threat at the moment – they press rapidly when Germany enter their half.
Right back Hiroki Sakai down injured after a tackle on David Raum – clash of legs. Fine to continue.
Kieran Jackson23 November 2022 13:16
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Germany 0-0 Japan
8 mins: It’s a terrific Japan counter-attack which ends with a goal… but it’s offside!
Daizen Maeda converts at the back post but he’s gone too early, clearly a yard or so offside!
He didn’t need to be either! Let-off for the Germans, with Gundogan losing the ball cheaply in midfield this time.
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson23 November 2022 13:09
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Germany 0-0 Japan
5 mins: Musiala this time gives the ball away in midfield and Ilkay Gundogan has to cover for him – Japan with the first corner of the match.
Headed comfortably away by Gnabry.
Kieran Jackson23 November 2022 13:05
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Germany 0-0 Japan
2 mins: Bright start from Germany, with Musiala involved from the off – he wins the ball in the centre of the park but can’t quite find the right pass into the box.
Japan sitting off, relatively deep in their shape early on…
Kieran Jackson23 November 2022 13:03
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Germany vs Japan: Kick-off!
We’re underway at the Khalifa International Stadium for this opening Group E clash!
Germany in their traditional white shirts and black shorts, with Japan in dark blue shirts and white shorts.
Kieran Jackson23 November 2022 13:00
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Germany vs Japan: A reminder of the teams!
Germany: Neuer; Schlotterbeck, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Muller, Musiala; Havertz
Japan: Gonda; Sakai, Itakura, Yoshida, Ito, Nagatomo; Endo, Tanaka; Kubo, Kamada, Maeda
A pretty pointed Germany team photo before the game too… silenced?
(AFP via Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson23 November 2022 12:58
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Germany vs Japan: The teams are out!
It’s a terrific sight at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha as the two starting XIs make their way onto the pitch!
Now time for the national anthems!
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson23 November 2022 12:57
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Germany vs Japan: We’re almost set at the Khalifa International Stadium!
Germany are looking to bounce back after a disappointing two tournaments, following a group-stage exit four years ago in Russia and a last-16 exit at Euro 2020.
For Japan, who were so close to knocking out Belgium in 2018, they will be targeting an upset in Doha!
(AFP via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson23 November 2022 12:52
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Germany vs Japan: Germany have ‘opportunity’ to wear OneLove armband at World Cup, claims vice chancellor
German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has said he would wear the multi-coloured ‘OneLove’ armband at the soccer World Cup 2022 and see what happened, but he took care to add it was not for him to decide what national team captain Manuel Neuer does.
Habeck’s comments late on Tuesday came amid a row over the symbol in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
Asked by broadcaster ZDF whether players should wear the armband, Habeck replied: “I am not the media advisor of the DFB (German football association) and I am not Manuel Neuer but the opportunity is there.”
“I’m a politician trying to do my job properly, but what would happen if it happened now? I would like to know and I would take my chances,” he added.
The comments come after soccer’s global governing body, FIFA, cracked down on players wearing the armbands in support of diversity at this year’s World Cup.
In response, Rewe, one of Germany’s biggest supermarket chains, scrapped its advertising campaign with the DFB.
Kieran Jackson23 November 2022 12:47