Japan had a major victory as they overcame 4 times World Cup champions Germany 2-1 to win their first match of FIFA World Cup 2022.

Off to a bright start, Japan stole a ball in midfield and Maeda connect from the resulting pass to score in the 8th minute and hit the net, but he was ruled offside.

From then on, Germany dominated the play in the first half as Japan were content to stay deep and allow the Germans to come to them.

Almost all the play was concentrated in Japan’s half.

Iikay Gundogan had a good chance in the 28th minute but his shot was weak and comfortably saved by Japanese keeper S Gonda.

In the 31st minute, a clumsy scramble by goalkeeper Gonda resulted in a penalty for Germany which was cooly converted by Gundogan in the 33rd minute.

Gundogan sent keeper the wrong way and scored with a shot down the middle.

After conceding the goal, Japan began playing on a higher line.

Germany’s 19 year old forward Jamal Musiala got into excellent position in the 45th minute but shot over the cross bar.

Jamal Musiala showed his talent and skills yet again when he navigated through seven Japanese players to have clear shot at goal from close range, but his powerful shot went way over the crossbar, giving another reprieve to the Japanese.

In the 47th minute, Germany had another clear chance but Gnabry’s shot was a bit too high and kissed the outside of the crossbar.

Japan had probing runs specially on the right flank but couldn’t create any clear chance till half time except for a wide header from Maeda.

At half time, the converted penalty separated Germany and Japan.

In the second half, Gundogan and Kimmich appeared to have firm control of the midfield. However, the Japanese players were playing a very high line and pressing at each ball.

As the game progressed, the Japanese play began to improve creating some half chances.

German Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who was playing his 115th match for Germany, pulled off a fine save in the 73rd minute to deny Japan the equaliser.

Around the 71st minute mark, Japanese keeper Gonda affected four saves in quick succession, with three of them coming from Gnabry.

Japan sacrificed a defender to bring in Ritsu Doan and it proved to be a perfect substitution as Doan scored the equaliser from a close range in the 75th minute, off a rebound from Manuel Neuer.

After scoring the equaliser, Japan seemed to change gameplan again. While continuing to press, their defence line went a little deeper and concentrating on counter attacks.

In the 83rd minute, a long ball from a free kick to the right flank was well controlled by Takuma Asano, who followed it up with a perfect tough and a powerful shot to score from a very tight angle.

German keeper Neuer was found wanting as he didn’t guard the near post well and did not get his hands high and wide.

Japan beat Germany.@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 23, 2022

Germany, the first European nation to qualify for this world cup, gets beaten yet again in the first match for the second consecutive world cup and they were beaten by Mexico in 2018.

Germany cannot afford to lose any more matches. With a match against Spain in the offing, Germany have to get their acts together to qualify for the knock-out runs.

Meanwhile, Japan wipes away the bitter agony of 2018 world cup, where they lost to Belgium after leading 2-0 till the 68th minute before losing 2-3 in the round of 16.

In the second match of Group E, Spain proved too strong for Costa Rica as Spain scored freely.

Spain nearly took the lead in the 3rd minute itself but Olmo’s shot was just off the right post.

They did not wait long as Olmo scored in the 11th minute, which was also the 100th goal by Spain in World Cup.

Asensio doubled Spain’s lead in the 21st minute by tuning in a Jordi Alba’s pass from the left flank.

Jordi Alba, the Spanish defender was playing so high up and creating trouble for Costa Rica, and earned a penalty in the 29th minute which was converted by Ferran Torres.

Spain had an astonishing 87% percentage of possession and had scored three goals with the three shots they had on target.

🇪🇸 Spain take a commanding lead going into the break#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 23, 2022

In the second half, little changed. A lapse of concentration and communication between the keeper and defenders made Ferran Torres to score Spain’s fourth goal in the 53rd minute.

This was followed by a brilliant volley by Spain’s youngest player in World Cup, Gavi who scored Spain’s fifth goal in the 74th minute.

A terrible match for Costa Rica ended with Soler scoring in the 90th minute and Morata scoring with a brilliant low left foot shot to the right corner in extra time.

As the table stands, pressure is on Germany as they have a very tough match coming up against the free flowing and free scoring Spain, which they cannot afford to lose.

Japan will look to beat Costa Rica to qualify for the knock-out rounds.

For Costa Rica, the chances to proceed to the knock-out rounds seem too difficult.