Germany shocked by Japan, Spain hit seven goals
While Germany's insecurities were revived by its defeat against Japan, Spain utterly defeated Costa Rica keeping its nets clean the whole game.
-
Japan's Maya Yoshida and Japan's Ko Itakura celebrate after their team scored the second goal during the World Cup group E soccer match between Germany and Japan, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
On Wednesday, Japan demonstrated an incredible comeback to upset Germany in their World Cup opening, while Spain got off to a flying start by defeating Costa Rica by a score of seven.
On the fourth day of competition in Qatar, Croatia, the 2018 champions, drew with Morocco, and Belgium played Canada late in the day.
Germany entered the World Cup determined to avoid the humiliation of 2018, when they were eliminated at the tournament's earliest stage since 1938 as the defending champions.
Germany's Ilkay Gundogan's goal from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute put Hansi Flick's team on track for their first victory.
However, they later paid for their lost opportunities as Ritsu Doan of the Blue Samurai equalized the score in the 75th minute.
Eight minutes later, fellow replacement Takuma Asano, a Bundesliga player like Doan, completed a miraculous comeback by blasting the ball home to give Japan a renowned 2-1 triumph.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said, "The players came together as one squad, we prepared properly, and we stuck in there, and that's what led to the win."
With Spain coming up next, Germany is once again in danger of suffering another World Cup disgrace.
According to Bayern striker Thomas Mueller, it is "ludicrous" that we are now standing here with a loss.
Spain crushes Costa Rica
Spain's World Cup debut in Qatar was markedly different from Germany's, as Luis Enrique's team destroyed Costa Rica 7-0 at Al Thumama Stadium to earn their biggest-ever victory.
Prior to two goals from Ferran Torres on each side of halftime, the first of which was a penalty, Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio each scored.
Gavi, who is 18 years old, scored their fifth goal, making him the youngest World Cup goal scorer since Pele, who did so in 1958 at the age of 17.
Then, with goals from Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata, the 2010 world champions sealed their resounding victory.
After the game, Luis Enrique praised his team as "superb" before adding, "We still have room to improve."
Belgium vs Canada
Belgium's team managed to win 1-0 over a Canada team playing in their first World Cup game in 36 years thanks to a goal by Michy Batshuayi in the first half.
Alphonso Davies' initial penalty kick was saved by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and against the flow of play, Batshuayi scored the game's first goal in the 44th minute.
The loud crowd encouraged John Herdman's Canada, who also had another strong penalty appeal denied and controlled the second half but to no avail.
Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's all-time leading scorer, was out due to injury, and they fought the entire game to keep up with Canada's forwards' pace.
