Germany fell to a shock 2-1 loss to Japan to start their Qatar 2022. So, how have the four-time World Cup champions fared after losing their first game over previous tournaments?
Die Mannschaft arrived in the Middle East among the favourites to fight for the 22nd FIFA title to date. Only Brazil (5) have held the golden gong aloft more often than Germany and Italy (4). Yet boss Hansi Flick now faces a crunch clash with Group E rival Spain on Sunday.
La Roja are seeking their second World Cup title after triumphing for the first time at South Africa 2010. They also started their Qatar 2022 campaign in imperious fashion by thrashing Costa Rica 7-0. Any defeat to Spain on November 27 could be the end of Germany’s hopes.
Japan raised serious questions of Germany in their first 2022 World Cup game
Flick would have expected Germany to beat Japan in their first game at the World Cup for Qatar 2022. Die Mannschaft had never lost to the Samurai Blue in their previous four ties. Despite some inconsistent form, they had also only lost once across 16 games under Flick.
Yet Japan threw a cat amongst the pigeons when Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored off the bench on Wednesday. The substitutes struck on 75’ and 83 minutes to overturn a 33rd-minute penalty from Ilkay Gundogan. Their goals also raised many questions of Flick’s side.
SC Freiburg forward Doan found a pocket of space in the heart of Die Mannschaft’s area to score their equaliser. Borussia Monchengladbach ace Ko Itakura also spotted Niklas Sule of Borussia Dortmund sitting deep at a late free-kick to release Asano to beat Manuel Neuer.
Flick will know Germany must restore some defensive structure ahead of their now crunch clash with Spain to progress further. He will also fear Die Mannschaft repeating their 2018 result and crashing out in the group stage after travelling to Russia as the 2014 champions.
So, with Russia 2018 still fresh in their minds, how have Germany fared at past World Cups after losing their first game after their shock 2-1 defeat to Japan in Group E at Qatar 2022?
Germany finished last in Group F after losing their first game at the 2018 World Cup
Russia 2018 marked the first time that Germany crashed out of any World Cup in the first round since 1938. They also lost their opening fixture to Mexico 1-0 four years ago before beating Sweden 2-1. Yet two stoppage-time goals saw South Korea get a 2-0 win in Kazan.
Hirving Lozano stunned Die Mannschaft to hand Mexico a narrow win in Moscow when he beat Neuer on 35 minutes. El Tri deserved the result, as well, as Germany – under Joachim Low – produced a disjointed display. They were vulnerable at almost every counterattack.
It took a 95th-minute goal from Toni Kroos to secure Germany their win over Sweden, too. While strikes from Kim Young-Gwon and Son Heung-Min on 94’ and 96 minutes saw South Korea claim a shock win. The tie in Kazan left Die Mannschaft bottom of Group F and out.
Germany went 36 years without losing their first game at a World Cup
Germany went 36 years without losing their first game at a World Cup but have now lost it twice in a row. Before Mexico stunned the four-time champions, Algeria were the last side to beat Die Mannschaft – as West Germany – in their opening group stage tie back in 1982.
Flick will now hope to take inspiration from the 1982 West Germany side when his squad take on Spain. Under Jupp Derwall, Die Mannschaft reacted to a surprise setback against Algeria to top Group 2 and go all the way to the final. But they lost 3-1 to Italy in Madrid.
Algeria refused to let heads drop to edge West Germany in their first game for Spain 1982. Rabah Madjer broke the deadlock after 54 minutes for the Fennec Foxes before Karl-Heinz Rummenigge equalised. Yet they were only level for a minute before Lakhdar Belloumi hit.
Chile would fall victim to a 4-1 thrashing as West Germany responded before taking a 1-0 win over Austria. The wins were enough for Derwall’s squad to top Group 2 before topping Group B over England and Spain. Penalties then saw them pip France 5-4 to reach the final.
Switzerland sent Die Mannschaft home immediately at France 1938
Japan’s shock win over Germany at Qatar 2022 is just the fourth time across 20 World Cup appearances that Die Mannschaft have lost in their first game. Before they stumbled over Mexico at Russia 2018 and Algeria at Spain 1982, it was with Switzerland at France 1938.
After finishing third on debut at the quadrennial FIFA tournament at Italy 1934, Germany only played one tie at France 1938. Switzerland sent Die Mannschaft home immediately as that summer’s tournament began with knockout stage fixtures as it only featured 15 sides.
The game initially finished as a 1-1 draw after extra time to force a replay. It appeared as if the second chance would see Germany advance as William Hahnemann scored after eight minutes, as well. Nati also aided that with an own goal in the 22nd minute to go 2-0 down.
Yet Switzerland were a different team after the break and put Ernst Lortscher’s own goal in the past. Eugen Walaschek gave Nati reason to believe just before half-time as the forward hit on 42 minutes. Alfred Bickel then drew his nation level just after the hour mark in Paris.
A three-minute brace by Andre Abegglen in the 75’ and 78th then sent Germany packing in their opening tie. Although Hungary would swiftly end Switzerland’s time at France 1938 in the quarter-final with a 2-0 win. Magyars also beat Sweden but lost 4-2 to Italy in the final.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
