Germany vs Japan live updates

Right, I’m off for… a lie down?

Thanks for joining our live blog and be back at 4pm for Costa Rica against Spain.

Well done, Japan!

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Anthony Hay·

EPL Staff Editor

For those in the UK, here’s the winning goal by Takuma Asano…

Anthony Hay·

EPL Staff Editor

Amazing result!

A tale of bold substitutions and a Japanese performance that never grew despondent, even when they went a goal down and despite, at times, looking mesmerised by Jamal Muisala’s footwork.

The inquest will be brutal in Germany, but hopefully that doesn’t take the attention away from just what a bold comeback that was. A wonderful day for Japanese football.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

I can report some ‘negativity’ in my family WhatsApp group back home. A few disapproving empjis, too.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Amazing scenes as the entire Japanese bench emptied in celebration and the cameras panned around the stadium, capturing the fans in delirious joy.

Into stoppage time now.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

All the pre-tournament conversation has been about Germany’s defence and it’s let them down… big time.

A big long ball over the top is brilliantly taken down by Takuma Asano, who then runs beyond Schlotterbeck before drilling home between Neuer and the near-post. Awful defending and Germany are in a world of trouble now.

But… but… but… look at that first touch from Asano.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

No doubt in Matt’s mind who the neutral’s favourite is:

“Wow, the place has just erupted. I thought this was a majority Japanese crowd, now we all know. Either that or everyone without a dog in this fight loves seeing European powerhouses being knocked down a peg or two.”

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Matt has just sent me a message with some observations from the pressbox:

“One of the most noticeable things in the stadium is the absence of the usual following from Germany. At a typical World Cup, you would expect to see at least 3,000 traveling supporters but there is nowhere near that number inside the Khalifa for this game. Speaking to experienced watchers of these things, the guestimate is that fewer than 800 fans have made the trip for the group stage and it is certainly true that the official supporters’ group is not running its usual “fan embassy” scheme here this month. The German fans have also been completely outsung (and drummed) by their Japanese counterparts, who have not stopped all game, despite Germany being by far the better team.”

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

AND THEY’RE LEVEL!

Germany have looked fragile at the back all game and now they’ve cracked.

Takumi Minamino cuts a low cross off the byline and with Neuer only able to palm the ball out, Freiburg’s Ritsu Doan is free to gleefully lash home from inside the six-yard box.

1-1, 77 minutes.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

That might well be the save of the tournament so far.

Right down the other end, after Gonda’s heroics, the ball drops to Ito in the box and his volley – which was partially muffled by a block – is turned away by a big paw from Manuel Neuer. Great save – Japan are still here.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Tremendous goalkeeping from Shuichi Gonda, who denies Serge Gnabry four times – yes, four – within thirty seconds to keep it 1-0. Gonda was culpable for the penalty, but he’s certainly made up for that since.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Japan have broken a few times since Gundogan had that chance to finish the game.

The latest move ends with Rudiger stepping across to prevent Asano from having a shot on goal and should just serve to refocus that German defence.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

More bewildering footwork from Musiala, who drifts across the box before setting up Gundogan to sidefoot against the outside of the post.

Japan are holding on a bit.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Amid a forest of defenders, Jamal Musiala shows what all the fuss is about. He dances through the penalty box, piroutting between Japanese players, but then fires a shot just over the bar. What a wonderful goal that would have been – very Dimitri Payet (in that West Ham game against someone).

“Messi would have scored” says JJ Bull, ever the killjoy.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Thomas Muller turns back the clock by driving through the middle of the pitch and skittling defenders as he goes. He lays a pass off for Serge Gnabry who rather lashes his shot wide, but it was a good opening.

Muller’s mobility has been a big talking point in the German media, so it’s encouraging to see him being so dynamic.

He’s also an ambassador for the furniture shop from which my wife and I bought our sofa.

More essential information as it breaks…

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Okay, off we go again: Germany 1 – 0 Japan.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Increasingly, that disallowed Daizen Maeda goal looks like a pivotal moment. Before Germany had found their feet in this game and long before they took the lead, they might have been 1-0 down and really feeling the pressure. Much like Kai Havertz at the end of the half, he didn’t need to ‘go early’ either.

Germany have a team full of excellent players, but they’re also fragile and arrived in Qatar searching for tournament confidence. Japan have let them off the hook a bit.

Sebastian Stafford-Bloor