15 Minutes until kick off here at the Khalifa International Stadium and the general consensus is that Germany are expected to dominate this game. The spotlight is shining on the budding 19 year old Jamal Musiala throughout the build-up; the pressure is on for the youngster as he makes his world cup debut, but considering the form he is in for Bayern, no doubt he will be a big factor in this game.
The players are out on the pitch for the national anthems now and the stadium is bouncing. Kick off pending. Germany take their team photo sending out an important message by posing with their hands covering their mouths – insinuating that even though Neuer has been banned from wearing the ‘One Love’ armband, the message still stands. Their voices are being taken away from them – a basic human right. Great to see the Germans using their platform correctly.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images1′ Havertz is stood over the ball for kick off and Germany get straight to attacking, starting a spell of possession which ends up back with Neuer passing the ball around the defense consisting of Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Raum and Sule.
Germany 0-0 Japan
3′ Germany have already taken control of the game, maintaining possession and getting a couples of balls up to the japanese penalty area, but no clear cut chances as of yet.
Germany 0-0 Japan
4′ One through ball and Japan had a half chance to get a shot off, but Rudiger manages to get the ball out for a goal kick using his electric pace.
5′ Corner to Japan after a pacy attack is blocked by Gundogan. The corner amounts to nothing special as Gnabry heads it out for a Japanese throw in.
8′ JAPAN HAVE THE BALL IN THE BACK OF THE NET but its flagged for offside instantly. Germany’s defence were exposed momentarily but no doubt they wouldn’t have scored if Maeda wasn’t offside.
Embed from Getty Images10′ After the brief scare from the offside goal, Germany have taken back control of possession and have begun to approach the game more patiently, passing the ball around the defence more and waiting for the runs to be made and gaps to open up.
12′ As expected, Musiala has started causing problems for the Japanese defence, but hasn’t quite created any clear cut chances yet.
Embed from Getty ImagesGermany 0-0 Japan
16′ Havertz wins the first corner for Germany and hopefully this could kick off the scoring. Kimmich stood over the ball at the corner and it lands to Rudiger who heads it just wide of the far post, a very good delivery from the Bayern Munich midfielder.
19′ Germany were just starting to get into a promising attack but unfortunately Havertz commits a silly foul, bodying the Japanese defender and giving away a freekick.
21′ CHANCE! Kimmich with a powerful shot from outside of the box, which Gonda parries away and it lands at the feet of Gundogan for a tap in but he whacks it over the bar.
Germany 0-0 Japan
26′ Another promising attack for Germany but Gundogan’s shot hits the defensive wall of Japan and the Germans players send the ball back to Neuer.
28′ Another shot on target for Germany as Gundogan whacks the ball straight at Gonda between the Japanese sticks. Germany are all over Japan but just can’t seem to put together a good enough chance to trouble the Japanese keeper.
Embed from Getty Images31′ PENALTY GERMANY!!! Kimmich plays a lovely over the top ball to Raum to takes a touch away from Gonda but Gonda slips and trips up Raum and then proceeds to get up and rugby tackle the german left back.
33′ GOAL GERMANY!!!!! Gundogan scores as he hits it straight down the middle. Germany take the lead and its definitely deserved.
Embed from Getty Images40′ Half chance for Japan but its called back for an offside by Kubo. Still Germany dominating possession but the attacking chances certainly aren’t coming frequently.
45′ CHANCE FOR MUSIALA! Musiala turns Itakura and creates the space to get a shot off but he doesn’t get over the ball so he hits it straight over the bar. More chances are coming for Germany towards the end of the first half.
45′ The fourth official has indicated there will be four minutes of added time.
49′ HAVERTZ TAPS THE BALL INTO THE GOAL but it goes to VAR and is ruled out for an offside. SO close to being 2-0.
51′ Still playing as there was a slight stop in play for the VAR check and Japan have a shot which flies just wide of Neuer’s far post and just like that the first half is over as the whistle is blown before Neuer can take the free kick.
HALF TIME: Germany 1-0 Japan
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesPlayers are back out for the second half now and Japan are making a substitution; Tomiyasu replaces Kubo.
47′ Early chance in the second half for Germany as Muller pulls the ball out wide for Gnabry who shoots just high of the crossbar. Germany look bang up for this half.
50′ A corner for Japan leads to Gnabry starting up a counter attack and Musiala ends up trying to get into a position to shoot with some beautiful footwork, finding himself a half-yard about 10 yards from goal but he shoots straight into row Z. He’s been disappointing so far, hopefully he starts to grow into the game soon.
55′ Another half chance for Germany which is called for an offside on Havertz but the goalkeeper spilt the ball causing a lot of confusion in the Japanese defense but the flag goes up before any further damage can be made.
Germany 1-0 Japan
57′ Substitutions for Japan: Mitoma and Asano replace Nagatomo and Maeda.
60′ CHANCE FOR GERMANY!!! The germans are starting to put together some nice attacks now and Musiala showed some nice footwork to get the ball to Gundogan who has space to shoot but hits the post! WHAT A CHANCE!
Embed from Getty Images67′ Substitutions for Germany: Goretzka and Hofmann replace Gundogan and Muller
68′ Corner for Japan which comes in and bounces around the box like a game of pinball but Neuer eventually collects it.
70′ CHANCE FOR GERMANY! Gnabry gets his head on a pinpoint cross from Raum and forces Gonda into making a fantastic double save. Corner Germany.
71′ Substitution for Japan: Doan replaces Tanaka.
73′ WHAT A SAVE MANUEL NEUER!!!! Ito shoots from about 6 yards out and Neuer reaches out and parries it back to Sakai who should 100% score but he hits it high and wide.
75′ Substitution for Japan: Minamino replaces Sakai.
76′ GOAL FOR JAPAN!!! Minamino whips the ball into Neuer who should do better but flicks it straight back out to Doan who scores the rebound.
Embed from Getty ImagesGermany 1-1 Japan
Substitutions for Germany: Fullkrug and Gotze replace Musiala and Havertz.
80′ Germany need to get back into their attacking play quickly. They have a corner now which Kimmich will take. Rudiger gets to it but doesn’t get over it enough and it goes flying over the bar.
81′ Japan through again but Neuer collects. It’s not looking promising for the Germans right now.
82′ Another corner for Germany and Kimmich is taking it again. He whips in an out-swinger but it doesn’t go past the first man.
83′ GOAL FOR JAPAN!!!!! A fantastic overhead pass from Itakura and it lands straight at Asano who takes a beautiful touch down and shoots it into the roof of the net. No chance of Neuer saving that one.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesGermany 1-2 Japan
87′ Absolute bedlem as Japan have completely turned the game upside down. Germany are back on the ball though and Japan will have to work extremely hard until full time to secure their first win over Germany in history.
89′ Shout for a penalty for Japan after Rudiger fails to deal with an overhead ball but it doesn’t even go to VAR.
90′ Substitution for Germany: Moukoko replaces Gnabry.
90′ The fourth official has indicated a minimum of 7 minutes of added time.
93′ The germans are screaming for a penalty after a so called challenge from Yoshida on Gotze but looking at the replays there is no way that it’s a penalty. If anything Gotze fouled Yoshida.
95′ CHANCE FOR GERMANY! The ball lands right into the path of Goretzka who keeps it down well and puts good pace on his shot – he does everything right except he hasn’t gotten it on target – he fires it just wide.
97′ Germany have a wide freekick and Neuer has joined the rest of the team in the attack! It’s do or die for Germany now…
It’s gone out for a German corner but the goalie whacks it away. No time for any more chances as the referee blows the full time whistle and the Japanese squad and staff flood onto the pitch.
FULL TIME: Germany 1-2 Japan
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