World Cup 2022
“Fall of the Gods” and “Germany’s Harakiri”: This is how international media rate Germany’s defeat at the start of the World Cup
Ilkay Gundogan of the German team reacts during the Germany vs Japan game
© Icon Sportswire / Imago Images
Germany loses its first World Cup game in Qatar against Japan. International media reactions to the 2-1 defeat of the German national soccer team in their opening game.
The German national soccer team started the tournament at the World Cup in Qatar with a defeat. The team coached by national coach Hansi Flick lost 2-1 (1-0) to Japan on Wednesday. Ilkay Gündogan (33rd minute / penalty kick), Ritsu Doan from SC Freiburg (76th) and Bochum’s Takuma Asano (83rd) scored the goals.
Before kick-off, the German selection sent a signal: all players covered their mouths for the team photo – a signal to the world association Fifa, which had banned the “One Love” captain’s armband from Manuel Neuer and six other European team captains under threat of sanctions .
This is how the international media judged the German defeat:
Italy
“La Republica”: “The fall of the gods: After Argentina, Germany also falls.”
Gazzetta dello Sport: “Germany’s hara-kiri: Japan manages the coup and wins 2-1 after catching up.”
Switzerland
“View”: “It makes you dizzy. Instead of starting the World Cup with an easy win, Germany is already in trouble after 90 minutes in Qatar. (…) Japan creates the sensation. And leaves the whole of Germany speechless. “
Netherlands
“Algemeen Dagblad”: “Germany makes an impression with a statement, but doesn’t let its legs speak and goes down against Japan. Germany only made an impression before the game against Japan on Wednesday. With a crashing statement against Fifa, the players gave a clear message. The appearance afterwards was then much less convincing. Which meant that, just like four years ago, the team got off to a bad start again, this time with a 2-1 loss to Japan.”
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Great Britain
“The Sun”: “The Mexicans waved them goodbye four years ago. And when the Mexican wave swept through the Chalifa stadium, Germany could be on the way home again quickly thanks to the super Japanese substitutes.”
Spain
“AS”: “Harakiri from Germany: Flick’s men couldn’t close a game they controlled and the Japanese spirit led to the second big upset of this World Cup.”