Another day, another shock. This time for Germany, losing their opening game of the tournament, just as they did in 2018.
Before the game, the Germany players put their hands over their mouths in their team photo “to convey the message that FIFA is silencing [them].” according to manager Hansi Flick, whilst a OneLove armband was worn by German government minister Nancy Faeser, who watched the match sat next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The German Football Federation (DFB) tweeted before the match that ‘human rights are non-negotiable.’
The 2014 World Cup winners were dominant throughout the first half and took the lead through Manchester City captain İlkay Gündoğan, scoring from the spot after David Raum was taken out by Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda.
Kai Havertz had a goal disallowed for offside later in the first half, but it was the second half when the game really came to life, with Gonda, and Germany captain Neuer making some impressive saves, including a remarkable double for Japan’s number 12 to keep his side in the game.
The equaliser came in the 75th minute, Doan turning the ball in after Neuer parried a shot into his path. And the winner was scored by substitute Takuma Asano, who got on the end of a long ball forward from Ko Itakura and rifled it into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Germany had a couple of chances late on, but there was noting they could do to prevent Japan beating them for the first time ever.
Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has rightly had praise heaped on him for the half time switch to a back five, and all five incredibly effective substitutions, including both goal scorers, two of the eight players in the squad who play their club football in Germany.
Likewise, the entire team have been praised, for as they always do, leaving the dressing room spotless after the game. The same goes for the fans, who stayed behind to clean up the stands.
For Hansi Flick, who was Joachim Löw’s assistant manager in 2014, it’s only the third time in which they have lost their World Cup opener, after 1938 and 2018. In Russia, they finished bottom of their group as defending champions, and to avoid consecutive group stage exits, they will need to get something against a very good Spain side on Sunday.
Spain put down a marker
Luis Enrique took Spain all the way to the semi finals of Euro 2020 last year, and from the way they played at the Al Thumama Stadium, you wouldn’t bet against them doing the same again.
It was about as dominant a victory as possible, La Roja ending their run of losing their opening game at the three previous World Cups by putting seven into the net PSG’s Keylor Navas, who won three Champions Leagues at Real Madrid, whilst Costa Rica failed to record a single shot.
Spain were expected to beat Costa Rica, ranked 31st in the world, but the way they did so, was spectacular. Dani Olmo opened the scoring with a nice turn and finish, before Marco Asensio connect with Jordi Alba’s cross for the second.
The third was scored by Barcelona’s Ferran Torres, sending Navas the wrong way from the spot, before adding the fourth nine minutes into the second half. Torres’ teammate for club and country, 18 year old Gavi hit a stunning volley after a late run into the box to pecome the youngest World Cup goalscorer since Pele. Spain added two more late on, through Soler and Morata to record their biggest ever World Cup win.
Canada’s Cruel Defeat
Canada, who will host the next World Cup alongside the USA and Mexico, were very impressive in their first World Cup match since 1986.
Facing Belgium, ranked second in the world, Canada were by far the better side, in control for much of the match.
Canada won a penalty in the eleventh minute, which was taken by Bayern Munich left back Alphonso Davies, very much his country’s star man. However, Davies, who often plays further forward for the Maple Leaves saw his weak effort saved by Thibaut Courtois.
The trend of poor finishing continued for Canada, managed by Englishman John Herdman, who won consecutive bronze medals in charge of Canada’s women’s team at London 2012 and Rio 2016, before taking the men’s team job in 2018.
Belgium would have been fortunate had they been level at the break, let alone in the lead, as they were thanks to striker Michy Batshuayi, who volleyed in a long ball forward from former Tottenham Hotspur centre back Toby Alderweireld.
In the second half, Lille striker Jonathan David headed wide, and Cyle Larin’s effort was saved by Courtois. Belgium manager Roberto Martinez said after the game that his side “need to play better and to grow.” He also said that “Canada deserved to be better than us.”
John Herdman gave a very passionate speech to his players, who were gathered in a huddle on the pitch after the match, telling them just how proud he was. He also said after the match that they showed ‘that they belong here.’
It was a brilliant performance from a spirited side, against a team ranked 39 places above them in the World Rankings, but as the saying goes: “If you don’t take your chances…”
A Bore Draw
2018’s beaten finalists Croatia played out a goalless draw with Morocco in their first match in Group F.
As would be expected of a side with world class midfielders including Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, who won the 2018 Ballon d’Or, Croatia had 65% possession, but failed to do much with it. The same can be said for the Moroccan team, with each side only managing two shots on target, whilst both goalkeepers did well in the rare instances that they were called upon.
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