Germany vs Japan LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction after shock late turnaround
Germany 1-2 Japan: Four-time winners caught out as Asian side earn thrilling comeback victory in another big shock in Qatar
Japan stunned Germany 2-1 in their World Cup Group E opener in Qatar to leave the four-time winners facing down a group-stage exit once again.
The Germans had dominated the contest at the Khalifa International Stadium and taken the lead with a 33rd minute penalty from Ilkay Guendogan after Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda had fouled wing back David Raum.
The second goal never came, however, and Japan’s raids into the German half became more and more frequent, culminating in Doan’s equaliser and a brilliant finish from Asano eight minutes later.
The defeat was the third in a row in the opening match of a major championship for Germany after a loss to Mexico at the 2018 World Cup, when they bowed out in the first round as champions, and to France at Euro 2020.
Relive the action with our live blog below and follow coverage of Spain vs Costa Rica
France begin World Cup defence with 4-1 win over Australia
“A striker who was supposed to be dispensable now has only one equal. That’s the story of Olivier Giroud, who just keeps going, and keeps scoring. The 36-year-old finally got the goal he didn’t in 2018 to claim his first in the World Cup in eight years before quickly following it with another.
“That made it 4-1 to France against Australia and was also the 51st goal of his international career, to match Thierry Henry’s record. Giroud may well surpass that in this tournament, a World Cup he wasn’t even expected to start in. This was precisely why Karim Benzema’s injury wasn’t seen as anything close to a disaster by the French, despite his immense quality.
“They’d already won a World Cup with Giroud and, far from the Real Madrid player taking them to another level, the belief is that the team just works better with the Milan striker. He links it all together. Kylian Mbappe certainly enjoys playing with him.
“As regards levels, the reality of this game was that a plucky but hugely limited Australia just couldn’t get close to France.” Miguel Delaney’s match report from Qatar, as France began their World Cup defence with a victory over Australia:
France just reminded the World Cup why they are defending champions
France 4-1 Australia: Olivier Giroud enjoyed a record night and his partnership with the electric Kylian Mbappe gave Les Bleus a familiar look
Germany vs Japan: TEAM NEWS
We move swiftly on to Germany vs Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium!
Team news:
Germany: Neuer; Schlotterbeck, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Muller, Musiala; Havertz
Japan: Gonda; Sakai, Itakura, Yoshida, Ito, Nagatomo; Endo, Tanaka; Kubo, Kamada, Maeda
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
FULL-TIME: Goalless at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Two teams who very simply cancelled each other out. No clear-cut chances to speak of either, both sides very solid in their shape.
Morocco will be the happier, while Croatia were a tad lacklustre. No repeat of 2018 when they won all three World Cup games.
Onto Belgium vs Canada in Group F later on at 7pm...
France defender Lucas Hernandez ruled out of rest of World Cup
Lucas Hernandez has become the latest France player to be ruled out of the World Cup.
The Bayern Munich defender was forced off in the first half of Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Australia and subsequent scans have shown a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.
It means Hernandez will be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines and play no further part in the holders’ attempts to defend their World Cup title in Qatar.
The left back was replaced by brother Theo against Australia.
More details here:
France defender Lucas Hernandez out of World Cup with knee injury
Didier Deschamps was already without five high-profile players in Qatar due to injury
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
90+3 mins: Morocco dominant in the last few minutes but Croatia holding firm - Ziyech loses the ball before lunging in on Modric.
Heading for a point apiece here...
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
90 mins: Six minutes of time added on - could we have some late drama?
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
89 mins: A late change for Croatia: Perisic OFF, Orsic ON.
Not quite been the Tottenham man’s day in Al Khor.
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
88 mins: There’s only been two shots on goal from each team, according to the FIFA statistics.
That, ladies and gents, rather sums up the match... how much added time will we get, however?
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
85 mins: Morocco bit more on the front-foot in this last few minutes, do they sense a winner is available here if they push on a bit more?
Ziyech still doing his best to be the playmaker in midfield. Into the last five (15) we go...
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