Germany vs Japan summary: score, goals and highlights 1-2 | Qatar World Cup

Germany dominate possession but come away with nothing

Japan looked devoid of ideas after that first half in which Germany had more than 80% of the ball.

Despite this they hung on and Germany will rue a number of chances to win the game, especially those multiple saves from Gonda and the big Musiala chance.

How's stat?

As mentioned, great use of substitutes by Japanese manager Hajime Moriyasu.

A sensational result for Japanese football

The substitutes made all the difference as Japan beat Germany for the first time in their history.

Final score: Germany 1-2 Japan

The biggest shock of the World Cup since yesterday as Germany are beaten by Japan.

Die Mannschaft have now lost successive opening World Cup matches.

With Spain the other big boys in the group they are staring down another early exit.

Neuer is denied the chance of a goal by a flick, the ball falling to Sule who's shot is deflected for a corner.

Big punch from Gonda to send the ball clear.

We enter the final moment of extra time, Neuer is up as the Germans win a free kick.

Leon Goretzka lashes a volley a foot wide of the Japanese post.

They are still a danger.

Niclas Fullkrug throws himself to the floor of the Japanese box but nothing doing from the referee.

He should know better at 30-years of age.

Antonio Rudiger ends the following play by blasting a shot over from 35 yeards. Japan will have no problems if the Germans keep shooting from there.

Joshua Kimmich sloppily gives the ball away, giving the Japanese a chance to hold the ball up in the German corner. 

A precious minute used up.

Seven minutes of extra time declared. 

Youssoufa Moukoko comes on up front to try and force the winner for the Germans.

Japan have a shout for a penalty as Asano outmuscles Rudiger, pushing into the box.

He goes down a bit too easy for the referee who waves play on.

The Germans are rattled.

If the extra time from other games is anything to go by, Japan will have ten or so minutes to hold on.

They have never beaten Germany before.

Settling in to the last ten minutes and Germany have a corner.

The poor ball is easily headed clear.

With Germany likely pushing for the three points Japan are in the perfect spot to hit them on the counter. ​​​​​​​

HUGE chance(s) for Japan!

Neuer rolls back the years as he makes an amazing diving stop to his left from a deflected volley.

He is helpless as the ball falls to Sakai three yards out who wallops the ball high and wide.

Was that the moment for Japan?

Sensational goalkeeping from Gonda as he makes five saves in the space of 60 seconds to keep the Germans at bay.

Japan seem to be kicking on as they have made a few more chances. 

Not sure Neuer has had to make a save yet, though.

Though Japan have certainly been on the backfoot in this game they have won another corner.

Schlotterbeck blocks the header onj the line before they equalise.

Extremely well-worked chance for Germany with more than a dozen passes in the build-up.

Gundogan is released on the edge of the box though his deft shot flicks off the outside of the post.

Offside called against Germany's Kai Havertz, though it appears he was actually well onside.

It was a chance for Germany as Gonda had  been stranded after not dealing with the pass through to Havertz.

Jamal Musiala nearly scores one of the best World Cup goals of all time, taking it past six Japan defenders inside their own box. The footwork is mesmerising 

He finally works a bit of space but grasps at the shot, hitting it well over.

England really should have nailed him down for their team.

Japan force the first corner of the half as they break into the German box.

Nothing is made of it.

Second half underway

Can Japan get back into this game?

Germany's dominance emphasised in the half-time statistics

Halftime: Germany 1-0 Japan

Germany dominated the ball in that half but only have the one goal to show for it.

Japan can hold some hope in the half-chances they have created but if the match continues as is it looks like a comfortable win on the cards for the Germans.

Havertz thinks he has scored the easiest goal of the World Cup though it is ruled out for offside. 

It is clearly offside but takes the officials three minutes to declare.

We'll have four minutes of extra time, relatively short compared to some of the wacky additions so far in the tournament.

Another chance for Germany as Musiala glides past Itakura on the edge of the box, though he gets well underneath the shot as it sails over.

Freekick to Germany in the middle of the park after a clumsy foul by Itakrua.

Depsite the one goal it has been a comfortable affair for Germany.

How's stat?

Despite his impressive goalsocring for both club and country, Gundogan penalty marks his first in the major tournament.

Japan's decision making lets them down again.

A four versus two brekaway is snuffed out as the Japanese forwards allow the German defenders to get back before dollying-up a cross onto the head of Rudiger.

Germany's pressure is rewarded as they win a penalty. A crossfield ball is touched down by Rahm. Gonda rushes out, bringing down Rahm initially before clumsily falling over the German left-back as he goes back for the ball.

A quick VAR check upholds the decision.

Germany are beginning to push into the game.

First a palmed save from Gonda before the follow-up is blasted into Maya Yoshida as three Japanese players hurled themselves at the strike.

Chance for Gundogan as Germany fashion an excellent chance. His curled shot is straight down the 'keepers throat.

He could have given one more pass to a teammate; would have been a sure goal.

Possible handball check in the Japan penalty box is eventually waved away.

Raum is caught out, not for the first time, but Kubo's poor cross is blocked for a corner.

Nothing is made from it though with these breakaway half-chances they may not be Japan's only chances today.

Good save from Japan's Gonda as a fierce strike from Kimmich stings his gloves.

The follow-up from Gundogan is blasted over but his is effort is declared offside.

First corner of the game tickles the side-netting as Germany's Antonio Rudiger rises highest but can't hit the target.

German players cover mouths in pre-match photos

It has been supposed that the protest is against FIFA's banning of the 'One love' armbands that a number of European teams were going to wear in protest at the government of Qatar's outlawing of homosexuality.

The fans have been very quiet in comparison to some of the games played in the tournament so far.

Probably shouldn't be a surprise considering the short distance needed for the Saudi Arabian and Iranian fans.

The Germans are yet to really get into the game.

Sule punts a crossfield pass well out of play.

First corner of the game goes to Japan as Ito ​​​​​​​has a cross blocked.

Easily headed away by the Germans.

Match underway

Group E's first game is off.

With Japan's anthem sung, only kick off remains.

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Why is the German anthem called Deutschlandlied? Lyrics, translation and meaning

As the anthems begin it's worth taking a look at the long history of the German song.

It is known as 'Das Deutschlandlied' ('Song of Germany'), and curiously the music and lyrics were not composed jointly. The former was composed in 1797, while the second were written a few years later, in 1841.

After World War II, references to territorial conquest was removed.

Fans in good voice ahead of kick off

With ten minutes to go until the match begins, both fans were seen enjoying the occasion.

The Khalifa stadium will play host to the occasion.

Germany vs Japan: Wednesday, 23 November 2022

- Group E kicks off with Germany vs Japan at 8 a.m. ET and 5a.m. PT

​​​​​​​- Germany four-time winners of compeition, most recently in 2014.

- Japan's best result was the round of 16 at Russia 2018

- Why did the German team cover their mouths before the game?

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Who is the referee for Germany vs Japan in the World Cup 2022 first group game?

Today’s clash in Doha will be overseen by Salvadoran referee Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros. The 31-year-old has been a full FIFA-qualified match official since 2018 and has officiated at a number of major tournaments including the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League although this will be his first experience at the World Cup finals.

He will be accompanied by assistants David Jonathan Morán Santos and Zachari Zeegelaar with Said Martinez designated as the Fourth Official.

A point to prove for Hansi Flick?

Germany's boss takes his side to his second World Cup, though it is his first as head coach.

After winning the 2014 in the most dramatic fashion back in 2014, Germany were unceremoniously dumped out of the group stage at Russia 2018. Then-head coach Joachim Lowe left the team after Euro 2020 with Flick coming in as his replacement after an inspired time at the helm of Bayern Munich.

Germany come into the competition on the back of one win in their last seven games.

Japan starting XI

Germany starting XI

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2022 World Cup: fixtures, dates, times and group stage schedule

It may be Day 4 of the competition but some people are still getting their head around what on earth is going on in Qatar. If you are still working it all out, allow us to help with this graphic-heavy summary.

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Germany vs Japan, times, how to watch on TV, stream online, World Cup 2022

Germany will be desperate to start their World Cup 2022 tournament with a positive result after being kicked out of the competition in the group stage of the 2018 edition.

You can watch Germany vs Japan live stream on FuboTV (free trial available)

You can also watch Germany vs Japan live stream with Spanish commmentary on Peacock.

The game will kick off at 8 a.m. ET and 5 a.m. PT.

Good morning and welcome!

Welcome to AS USA's live coverage of this World Cup Group E fixture between Germany and Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium.