After suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Japan on matchday one, Germany could ideally do with a swift and straightforward response.

Unfortunately for them, awaiting Die Nationalelf at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday will be a Spain side that remarkably won 7-0 against Costa Rica last time out.

Germany know defeat could doom them to a second successive group-stage elimination at the World Cup, an astonishing turn of events given that before 2018 they had not failed to get past the tournament's first round since 1938.

Another loss would consign Germany to three consecutive World Cup defeats for the first time ever – they have also never been beaten twice in the group stage of a single edition before.

The pressure is already on head coach Hansi Flick, who suggested one of his main objectives before Sunday's game is to ensure the team believes they can prevail.

"The team and every person can always develop," he said. "That's why the team still has potential, which it's not quite delivering at the moment.

"Nevertheless, I believe we have good quality. Yes, we trust the team. We're positive and just really want to see that we approach this game on Sunday against Spain positively.

"It's simply important to deal with defeats, but also to clear your head and focus on the new task, and that's our goal, to get the team to the point where they naturally believe that they can push this thing in the right direction on Sunday."

Regardless of Germany's belief, Flick's side can at least take solace in the fact they pretty much know how Spain will play – Luis Enrique is never secretive about his expectations for La Roja.

In their obliteration of Los Ticos, Spain recorded a possession figure of 81.9 per cent, setting a new record since Opta have this data available in the World Cup (from 1966), surpassing Argentina’s 80.3 per cent against Greece in 2010.

That was Spain's biggest ever World Cup victory and they also boast a strong recent record over Germany, having lost only one of their previous seven meetings.

Granted, Spain have only won their first two games of a World Cup three times and not since 2006, but Luis Enrique was adamant after the Costa Rica win that complacency will not be an issue.

 

This may be a young Spain squad, but they have long resembled an immensely unified unit under the guidance of Luis Enrique, who acts as a sort of pressure sponge, and Rodri believes their overall connection is their key strength.

"It's true we have been working very good for a long time, maybe on the results front," he said. "Nowadays in football there is great equality, but the performance was there [against Costa Rica], and it was good.

"The sensations were great, the team is whole in every line, defensively and offensively the team worked like an accordion.

"The goals for me were a consequence of our play, and what I liked more about the other day is that we know that the collective is what will bring us success.

"That is why everyone was remarkable, everyone had a great contribution, and everyone respected his position and his role."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Spain – Pedri

He was withdrawn before the hour mark against Costa Rica, but that was more than enough time to show just how integral Pedri is to how Spain play. He completed 97 per cent of his passes (86/89), but what made that even more impressive was the fact he was the fulcrum of La Roja's attacking play, with only Dani Olmo (33) attempting more passes in the final third than him (30).

Managing to maintain that accuracy in such a congested area of the pitch where he was expected to take risks was mightily impressive, and he even managed to tally a joint-high three key passes. Germany would be wise to pay him special attention.

 

Germany – Serge Gnabry

The defeat to Japan was a game to forget for Germany, but Gnabry did at least look lively. He managed six shots on matchday one, with three of them on target, and was very involved.

In fact, he played a part in 12 open-play sequences that ended a shot, with Kylian Mbappe (13) the only player to better him in that regard over the first round of matches at the tournament. He will need to do better in front of goal, but he clearly has the capacity to cause Spain problems.

 

PREDICTION

There is every chance this will be close.

Spain go into the game as the favourites with a 42.7 per cent chance of success, according to Stats Perform's AI model, but this means there is a 57.3 per cent likelihood of them failing to win.

That incorporates Germany's 31.9 per cent probability of emerging victorious, which also highlights how difficult this game is to call from the outset.

Hansi Flick unequivocally dismissed the suggestion Germany lost their World Cup opener against Japan because they were distracted by the controversy surrounding the OneLove campaign.

Germany were one of several European teams planning to have their captains wear the OneLove armband to highlight discrimination and human rights abuses by World Cup host nation Qatar, where homosexuality is criminalised.

In response, FIFA threatened to apply "sporting sanctions" to the teams involved, who all subsequently backtracked on their commitment to wear the armbands.

Germany felt FIFA was attempting to "silence" them, and they responded by holding their hands over their mouths while lining up for a team photo before the match against Japan.

After they ended up losing to the Samurai Blue, some Germany critics tried to link their defeat to the idea they were distracted by their moral stance.

When Flick was asked if that was the case ahead of Sunday's pivotal clash with Spain, his response was blunt.

"No," he said followed by a long pause. "Not at all."

Flick was surprisingly attending Saturday's pre-match press conference alone.

Teams are contracted to attend the events with at least their head coach and one player, and they can be fined if they fail to adhere to those rules.

However, Germany are based in the very north of the country near Al Ruwais, meaning any player attending a press conference will be away from training for approximately three hours.

Given the crucial nature of Sunday's encounter, Flick was simply unwilling to compromise the team's preparations by allowing a player to attend, even if it means the German Football Association (DFB) potentially copping a fine.

"I came by myself to the press conference because we didn't want any player to spend almost three hours driving. We don't expect any player to drive for so long. It's a long drive," he said.

"It's a very important match, so everyone, all 26 players are important [for training], that's why we didn't want to take a player with us. They should now prepare for the training.

"I think we could have done [the press conference] in our media centre as well, that is really good, it would have been better. But we have to accept this."

Earlier on Saturday, Spain coach Luis Enrique said Germany were the team most similar to La Roja at the World Cup in terms of their style of play.

Flick concurred, and although Spain thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 on matchday one, the Germany coach chose to remain optimistic as he urged his team to be courageous at Al Bayt Stadium.

Asked about Luis Enrique's assessment, Flick added: "I can only confirm this. I think both teams, if you look at systems, it's one-to-one in each position, and this is what we tell our players, to be in position to win the duels.

"Spain, of course, is a team who have always played the 4-3-3 formation like Barcelona, regardless of their opponent. They then have clear automatic moves and we need to find a way against it, we have a plan and we hope to implement it.

"The main focus for me has been the football, I think I'm convinced about what we want to do, how we want to play football.

"[Germany's situation] could've been avoided, but we still stick to our guns because we have the quality. We can implement what we want.

"This is what it's all about, being brave, believing in our quality and going into the match like that."

Luis Enrique has warned Spain against complacency heading into the mouth-watering World Cup showdown with Germany, who he feels will "hammer" La Roja if they are overconfident.

The 2010 champions launched their campaign in Qatar with a comprehensive 7-0 rout of Costa Rica on Wednesday, scoring seven goals in a single match at the finals for the first time.

La Roja could secure their last-16 place with a match to spare with victory over Germany, who they steamrollered 6-0 when the sides last met in the Nations League two years ago.

Following their shock defeat by Japan, Hansi Flick's side would subsequently be eliminated at the first hurdle for the second successive finals should Costa Rica fail to beat the Samurai Blue elsewhere in Group E.

Addressing the media at his pre-match press conference, Luis Enrique said: "We tried to manage the [Costa Rica] victory with all normality.

"It was resounding and that gives confidence, but we shouldn't have too much confidence. We face an opponent that will hammer us if we are overconfident.

"It's a great challenge. They've won a World Cup four times. We respect them greatly, they've great players and history is undeniable. 

"Germany are a very good team, so much mobility. If we can control that, great. Otherwise, I have to think about every single element."

 

He added: "But we are convinced we can beat Germany. We don't want a crazy open match because if they play a high block, we may take too many risks.

"There are many things we have to find out, but we need to follow our principles, which are very similar to theirs."

Meanwhile, forward Dani Olmo, who opened the scoring in the Costa Rica victory, urged his team-mates not to take Germany's defeat by Japan for granted, and focus on their own performance levels.

"Of course, they're under pressure, they need to win after loss against Japan," he said. "But we know they are one of the best in the world, and you cannot put them down after one game.

"It's a final for them, they need to win to get to next round, but we focus on our journey because we are through if we win.

"Hansi a great coach, he wants to dominate the game, he showed this in Bayern. 

"Most of their players play for Bayern, so we know the style, and they know us well, so we have to focus on our game."

Youssoufa Moukoko is keen to commit his future to Borussia Dortmund by signing a new contract after making his World Cup debut for Germany.

Moukoko has scored a team-high six Bundesliga goals this season, making 14 appearances for BVB – eight of them from the start – during a breakthrough campaign.

However, the forward's contract with Dortmund expires at the end of the season, and interest in him is likely to increase after he became the youngest German player to make a World Cup appearance in Wednesday's surprise defeat to Japan (aged 18 years and three days).

Moukoko's second-half introduction also made him the youngest player to make a World Cup appearance overall since Nigeria's Femi Opabunmi against England in 2002 (aged 17 years, 101 days).

Despite speculation linking him with a move, Moukoko has outlined his desire to pen a new deal with Edin Terzic's men, telling RND: "I get the confidence of the coach, Edin is like a father to me. 

"I feel very comfortable in Dortmund, I know the environment, my friends are there. 

"I love the club, the fans love me, I hope. Not everyone can say that about themselves. I would really like to stay in Dortmund, I have everything there."

However, the absence of Sebastien Haller – who has undergone treatment after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in July – may have contributed to Moukoko's increased involvement, and the teenager wants to be certain of his place in Dortmund's long-term plans. 

"You will see what that means for me. I want to know exactly what the club intends to do with me in the future," he added.

"I want to develop further and without games, I just can't develop. I don't want my development to stop again. I think that's quite normal because that perspective is important to me."

Gavi and Pedri will emerge as leaders of a new generation for Spain, according to Lothar Matthaus, who is expecting a World Cup classic when La Roja take on Germany on Sunday.

The Barcelona youngsters starred as Spain began their campaign by hammering Costa Rica 7-0 on Wednesday, while Germany surrendered a half-time lead in a shock 2-1 defeat to Japan.

Should Die Nationalmannschaft slump to consecutive group-stage losses at a single World Cup for the first time on Sunday, it may be enough for them to replicate 2018's humiliating early exit.

With Gavi and Pedri pulling the strings for Spain and Germany having suffered an embarrassing 6-0 defeat when they last met La Roja two years ago in the Nations League, Matthaus is not overly confident.

Asked about the duo's potential impact against Germany, Matthaus told Marca: "They are going to lead this new generation and Luis Enrique is giving them a lot of confidence, and that is essential for them.

"La Roja always brings new values. If I go to the last game, I don't have a good feeling, but that is already past and tomorrow will be a new story. 

"They are the two favourites of the group, but Japan should not be neglected.

"We will have to fight for every metre of the pitch. I think the Germans respect Spain a lot, they have a great team. It will be one of the great matches of the tournament."

 

Having started just one of their previous 18 World Cup campaigns with a defeat, Germany have now done so at consecutive editions after losing to Mexico in Russia four years ago.

Having retired from international football after Germany's Euro 2020 exit against England, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos is absent from his country's squad at a World Cup for the first time since 2006.

With Kroos helping his club win LaLiga and the Champions League last season, some have highlighted his absence as a reason for Germany's struggles, but Matthaus disagrees.

"We have [Ilkay] Gundogan, [Joshua] Kimmich, [Jamal] Musiala. Kroos made the difference, and he continues to do so with Real Madrid," Matthaus said.

"He is a fantastic player, but he decided to leave the national team a few years ago and we have to respect that. In his position, we have [Manchester] City's captain Gundogan. 

"We have two Bayern Munich stars, Kimmich and [Leon] Goretzka, but they are different from Kroos. Toni did incredible things for German football, but we already have others."

 

The official line is that it doesn't matter. It's an irrelevance. In fact, why are we even talking about it?

"I don't think that it plays any role. It was two years ago," said Julian Brandt on Friday.

But Spain's 6-0 slicing and dicing of Germany in November 2020 looms large over Sunday's re-match at Al Bayt Stadium, however much any protagonists pretend to ignore its presence.

Germany's record defeat in a competitive international came in that Nations League contest played in Seville, and while Joachim Low hung on a little longer as coach, that was the night when his fate was as good as sealed.

So there's one thing that has changed since the humiliation at La Cartuja: Low has gone and Hansi Flick is pulling the strings for Germany, the former Bayern Munich boss entrusted with leading the team into the World Cup.

"We are in a different position now and have improved in a lot of areas – even if not everything is going smoothly," said Germany midfielder Brandt.

How's about that for understatement of the year?

Germany are positively reeling, on the brink of a second consecutive World Cup group-stage elimination after folding to a 2-1 defeat against Japan in their Group E opener.

Their hopes hinge, more than likely, on finding a way to beat Spain, a team who left scorched earth in their wake while crushing Costa Rica 7-0 on matchday one.

"At the end of the day, it is a chance to change the mood," reckoned Brandt. "A game like this can energise you a lot. The 6-0 doesn't play a part for any player."

To which one can only hold one's hands up and commend the focus of the modern-day player if they can genuinely freeze out memories of such dark nights.

 

Brandt was an unused substitute for that six-goal shellacking, so perhaps the scars genuinely have faded in his case.

As a bystander, he could hardly be held responsible, and Brandt was also a bench-warmer throughout Germany's capitulation against Japan, so he gets another free pass there.

Where is there accountability then? Perhaps German FA (DFB) technical director Oliver Bierhoff is the man to be looking at, having been in post for coming up to five years.

Bierhoff gave Low his backing after the Spain shambles two years ago, and bringing his involvement up to the present day, the former striker said Germany were "really, really angry" at themselves for folding against Japan.

The Euro 96 final match-winner described the upcoming Spain game as "the first final" for Germany at this World Cup.

He also told broadcaster ARD it was "a myth" the team needed to be friends and said "friction and conflict" could be positive.

So there might not be absolute love and harmony in the ranks, but Bierhoff insists Germany are fully focused on their mission.

"That's the most important thing," Bierhoff said, "that in the end, even though we are many different personalities and have different ideas, we all submit to one single goal: to play a successful World Cup."

Germany have never lost consecutive group games in a single edition of the World Cup, but this team doesn't let history stop them achieving firsts. After all, they had only lost their opening game at a World Cup once in their first 18 appearances at the finals, prior to 2018, but now they have surrendered openers at consecutive editions.

In World Cup games where Germany had scored at least once, they were unbeaten in 29 matches (W25 D4) before tossing away a first-half lead to hand over three points to Japan on Wednesday. Their last such defeat was the famous 2-1 quarter-final loss to Bulgaria at USA 94.

They've never lost three consecutive World Cup games, but their 2018 campaign ended with a painful defeat to South Korea, then came Japan, and now Spain stand in their way.

The good news for Germany is that Spain have not won their opening two games at a World Cup since 2006. In 2010, when they went on to lift the trophy, Spain lost to Switzerland in their opener, so mishaps can happen.

Rather more bleak for Flick and Co is that Germany have won just one their last seven games against Spain, a 1-0 friendly success in November 2014. They have drawn two and lost four in that span and have not beaten Spain in a competitive game since Euro 88, drawing two games and losing three.

Where should Germany look for positives?

Young midfielder Jamal Musiala has emerged in the two years since that dismal trip to Andalusia, but Germany sorely lack a world-class striker, the sort that might have put the Japan game to bed before the underdogs set about fighting back in the final quarter.

Arguably the same might be said of Spain, but Ferran Torres hit three in the 6-0 rout and netted twice against Costa Rica, so Germany must be watchful there.

Spain toppled Germany 1-0 in the 2010 World Cup semi-finals, the first and only time they have defeated the four-time champions in the tournament's history.

They have talent pouring through the ranks, with the likes of Pedri, Gavi and Dani Olmo impressing against the outclassed Costa Ricans, while Germany bring a familiar cast, star-studded but struggling to equal the sum of their parts.

After the Spain game in 2020, Flick, then with Bayern Munich, said of the national team: "I was disappointed with the way we played football. On the other hand, these things are possible in football, sometimes you get run over and, in the end, you have to draw the right conclusions."

He added: "But that's not my job."

Now, however, it emphatically is his job. Flick has to work out how to lift a group left shattered by Japan's comeback, while ignoring the elephant stomping around the room, trumpeting the message that the last time Germany encountered Spain, it went down as one of the national team's darkest days.

But it could get darker still. If Germany crumble again to La Roja, this time at the World Cup, prepare for a total eclipse of Die Mannschaft.

Kai Havertz believes Ilkay Gundogan and Manuel Neuer's criticism of Germany's performance against Japan can spur them on in Sunday's do-or-die meeting with Spain.

Germany lost their opening World Cup game for just the third time (W13 D4) on Wednesday as Bundesliga duo Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano came off the bench to fire Japan to a shock 2-1 win.

Captain Neuer lamented Germany's failure to put the game to bed after the defeat, while Gundogan said Asano's goal was one of the most straightforward ever scored at a World Cup.

The shock result leaves Germany facing consecutive World Cup group-stage exits ahead of their meeting with Spain – who are favourites to top Group E after thrashing Costa Rica 7-0.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Havertz insisted his team-mates' comments had not caused any ill feeling, saying: "It was constructive criticism from Ilkay and Manu. 

"I can understand the boys. We talked about it. Such criticism is also good for the team because we continue to develop. It was a small snippet from an interview. Nobody is angry there.

"I can understand that negativity comes up from a lot of fans. There's a lot of people taking shots at us, but in my head I'm not worried. 

"I don't care what was in the past. It's a big game on Sunday. There's no use getting negative thoughts now. We are looking ahead."

Another early elimination would continue a run of poor tournament displays from Die Mannschaft, who went out in the last 16 at Euro 2020 after failing to make the knockout stages in Russia four years ago, but Havertz expects them to improve next time out.

"The statistics don't speak for us, but we have experienced a lot of change in recent years, which is not easy," the Chelsea forward added.

"That is not an excuse. What we have shown is not enough. But we will do everything we can to improve that."

The omens are not good for Germany, who have won just one of their last seven meetings with Spain (D2 L4) – a run which includes a humiliating 6-0 loss in Seville two years ago.

Julian Brandt does not believe that result will have any bearing on Sunday's fixture, and he hopes Germany can draw on their Euro 2020 experience in a bid to keep their World Cup dream alive.

"We're in a s***** situation and Spain come into the stadium with a 7-0 win behind them, but this is an opportunity for us. This can release a lot of energy," Brandt said.

"A little over a year ago, we also lost to France in the first game and then we won in the second game against Portugal. The guys understand such a situation. I don't think the 6-0 is still relevant."

Luis Enrique described Gavi's abilities as "out of the ordinary" following his scintillating World Cup debut for Spain.

Barcelona teenager Gavi marked his major tournament bow by scoring an exquisite volley as Luis Enrique's team thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 on Wednesday, becoming the third-youngest goalscorer in World Cup history.

Only Brazil great Pele in 1958 (17 years, 239 days) and Mexico's Manuel Rosas in 1930 (18 years, 93 days) have hit the net at the tournament when younger than Gavi, who did so at the age of 18 years and 110 days.

Asked about Gavi's abilities during a Twitch livestream on Thursday, Luis Enrique said: "It's not very normal, it's something out of the ordinary. 

"We all realise how difficult it is to do it at the age that he does it.

"He has good defensive appreciation. Controlling his energy is one of the things Gavi is improving. Hopefully that impetus helps him to win many balls."

Spain's second Group E fixture sees them take on Hansi Flick's Germany in a heavyweight contest on Sunday, with Die Mannschaft reeling following their surprise defeat to Japan.

Depending on the result of Japan's meeting with Costa Rica earlier on Sunday, another Spain victory could see them condemn the four-time winners to a group-stage exit, and Enrique expects to make changes to his starting line-up.

"I hardly repeat an eleven. It's hard for me. There will surely be some changes," Enrique said. "They train so well that now anyone could play with a total guarantee of a good performance. 

"Today we analysed the Germany-Japan match, and we take into account its characteristics to find the players in the best shape."

Jose Mourinho says Japan's shock World Cup win over Germany was "not a crazy surprise," criticising European football's "big focus on individuals and egos."

The Samurai Blue produced an inspired comeback from 1-0 down as second-half goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano stunned Hansi Flick's side at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The four-time champions, who led through Ilkay Gundogan's penalty, lost a World Cup match after opening the scoring for the first time since a 2-1 defeat by Bulgaria in the 1994 quarter-finals.

Mourinho, who coached South Korea's Son Heung-min at Tottenham, was not overly shocked by the result, saluting the collective mentality demonstrated by Asian footballers.

"Of course, it's a fantastic achievement but, to be honest, it was not a crazy surprise," the Roma head coach said. "Japan is a good team, has good players, [and] is getting an accumulation of experience at these events. 

"The majority of the players, they play in Europe where they develop faster and understand better what is the high level. 

"I think the mentality of the players and the team can also make a difference. At this moment, in European football, there is a big focus on individuals and egos.

"When I look to your profile as people, your profile as a country - I never coached Japanese players, but I coached Asian players.

"In my case, I was lucky because I coached the best Asian player, and I understand that the mentality is really special. The team is the most important thing. People play for the team, they don't play for themselves."

Gareth Southgate does not feel any pressure for England to produce a political statement akin to Germany's team photo at this World Cup.

England, like Germany, were planning to support the OneLove campaign – which promotes "inclusion and sends a message against discrimination of any kind" – by having their captain wear an armband bearing its logo.

When FIFA threatened sporting sanctions – expected to be a yellow card for the captains – the teams involved backed out.

Germany still produced a demonstration, however, as their players covered their mouths for their team photo ahead of the defeat to Japan, suggesting FIFA was "denying us a voice".

Southgate was asked on Thursday if England would have a unique protest of their own, but he replied: "No, I don't think we should feel any pressure [to do so].

"I think we've spoken on these particular topics for over a year and we've supported all manner of good causes, whether that's individuals in our team or as a collective. I think there's a risk that everybody tries to escalate...

"Are we to try to produce a better video than Australia did? That would be impossible. They did it brilliantly. Do we have to come up with a better gesture than Germany did?

"We've got to be comfortable with we stand for. That's not to say we won't do anything moving forward, if the timing's right, but if we're rushing to be seen to be doing something then we could make an error which doesn't land well.

"At this moment in time, for the players and myself especially, we've got to be focusing on the games.

"Of course, the FA takes the responsibility seriously; we're never going to duck any questions. The fact we're still talking about these matters keeps them in the spotlight and helps to raise awareness.

"We're definitely hugely supportive of our LGBTQ fanbase, and I know some of them feel a little bit disappointed with the armband not being worn.

"We will be criticised for that, but sometimes we've just got to accept the criticism and move on with it. That's as I see it.

"If we're confident about ourselves and where we stand, we shouldn't worry about needing to do something to be seen to be doing it."

Southgate was also asked if the Football Association should continue to support FIFA president Gianni Infantino, although he did not feel that conversation was within his remit.

"In my opinion, the coach of the team should coach the team, and the executives of the federation should comment on a higher level," he said.

"I noticed Kasper [Schmeichel, Denmark's goalkeeper] after the game was saying how difficult this has been for him. I've got to know him well, and I can emphasise.

"We're all spending so much time talking about non-football matters that it's hard to have the bandwidth to deal with preparing the team.

"Preparing the team at any time is difficult, and preparing them at a major tournament is even more complicated. It's not for me.

"If I want to become a football politician later in life, I'll become a football politician. For now, I've got enough of a job to do to coach the team."

Jurgen Klinsmann believes Germany need a footballing "miracle" to save their skins at the Qatar World Cup after the calamity of their defeat to Japan.

Next up for four-time winners Germany will be a Spain side who were in mesmerising form when thrashing Costa Rica 7-0, yet defeat on Sunday is an unthinkable prospect for Die Mannschaft.

Germany flopped at the group stage of the Russia 2018 finals, and they are in desperate danger of going the same way this time, with coach Hansi Flick needing to draw a markedly different performance from his team against Luis Enrique's La Roja.

Klinsmann, a World Cup winner as a striker with West Germany in 1990, later coached the national team to a place in the 2006 semi-finals, so he has lived the high life on this stage.

Ilkay Gundogan's penalty gave Germany a 33rd-minute lead against Japan on Wednesday, but second-half strikes from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano flipped the game on its head.

Now 58, Klinsmann said of his old team's plight: "Obviously it's hugely, hugely disappointing for us Germans.

"The overall performances was just not good enough. It was not what we expected after the disaster in Russia, going home [after] the group stage in Russia. 

"Our hope was that they showed the right spirit, they showed the right tempo, that they showed the right energy, and even if they were leading 1-0, I never had the feeling they put it up in a higher gear, like England did, when you score one goal and you want the second, third, fourth one."

Speaking on BBC One, Klinsmann said: "They were happy with the first one and thought they were going to cruise the game home, and then Japan punished them. And Japan played really poorly in the first half and you let them back in the game. They were feisty, they were full of energy, and they deserved to win.

"But now Germany, their back's against the wall, and if they're not pulling out a miracle against Spain and beat Spain, they might go home."

Former Bayern Munich, Inter and Tottenham striker Klinsmann had been barely a teenager the last time Germany lost a World Cup finals game having held a half-time lead.

The Japan game marked the first time that had happened since a 3-2 loss to Austria at the 1978 tournament, with Germany having been unbeaten in 21 such matches before letting it slide against Hajime Moriyasu's team.

For Japan, it was the first time they had come from behind to win a World Cup game, and a win against Costa Rica on Sunday will assure them of a last-16 spot if Germany lose to Spain.

Germany lost their opener to Mexico at the 2018 World Cup but came back to snatch a dramatic win over Sweden in their second game, only to tumble out after a defeat to South Korea on the third matchday.

Gareth Bale insisted any political statement from Wales would take place "outside of the game" as manager Rob Page suggested Germany lost focus during the OneLove armband saga.

Wales and Germany were two of the teams set to support the OneLove campaign, which promotes "inclusion and sends a message against discrimination of any kind".

But FIFA threatened sporting sanctions – expected to be yellow cards – if their captains wore armbands carrying the logo, prompting those involved to back down.

Germany responded with a unique protest, covering their mouths for a pre-match team photo against Japan in reference to FIFA "denying us a voice".

However, Germany then lost to Japan in a result that puts them at risk of elimination already.

Die Mannschaft coach Hansi Flick insisted after Wednesday's match the demonstration could not be used as an excuse, but Bale hinted at it in his news conference the following day, while Page openly cited Germany's example.

"We weren't too happy about not being able to wear it with the sanctions that would have been put in place," Bale said.

"I know people said I should have worn it, but I would have been sent off after about 25 minutes. Of course we support it, but we're here to play football at the same time.

"Just by not wearing the armband doesn't mean we don't support it. We're all for equality, and we're always trying to do the right thing, trying to create that awareness.

"In terms of doing something else, I guess when teams try to do something else and the result doesn't go the right way, they get criticised for not concentrating on the football.

"For us, now the tournament's started, we really need to concentrate on the football for ourselves. But outside of the game, if there's anything we can do to raise awareness or support, we'll definitely do that."

Page said: "We've got campaigns going on that we're fully supportive of as an association and as a Welsh government.

"I want my players to focus fully on playing games of football and winning games. I'm sure Germany now, in hindsight, would probably have the same message."

Page, who confirmed Joe Allen was fit for Friday's meeting with Iran, was full of praise for Bale as he prepares to break Wales' caps record.

"I think it's gone to another level overnight again with what he's done," the Wales boss said of his captain, who netted their equaliser against the United States.

"He admits himself it probably wasn't one of his better games over the 90 minutes, but when you need him, he delivers for you.

"If you wanted anybody in a pressurised situation to get a late equaliser, it would be Gareth Bale taking that penalty.

"He's done it time and time again for us. When we needed the win against Austria, he delivers goals, against Ukraine, he's the one to step up to take the free-kick to get us to the finals.

"He deserves all the credit he's getting at the moment."

Bale added: "I've not really focused too much on the cap thing, to be honest.

"Thinking about it now, it's an amazing achievement, an honour to represent my country so many times.

"But it's more important we try to get the victory tomorrow. Hopefully we can and make it even more special."

Eden Hazard has told Germany's players to stick to the football rather than protesting after Hansi Flick's men fell to a shock 2-1 loss against Japan in their Qatar 2022 opener.

Germany's starting line-up covered their mouths in protest during their pre-match team photo on Wednesday over FIFA's response to the OneLove campaign.

Football's governing body warned any teams that backed the anti-discrimination initiative faced sanctions, including a yellow card for captains who sported OneLove armbands.

However, Die Mannschaft warmed up for the Japan match wearing training shirts featuring rainbow-coloured trim in another apparent show of support for LGBTQ+ rights.

While the stance of the Germany players was widely praised, Belgium and Real Madrid forward Hazard believes they should leave non-footballing matters for others.

"They lost the match," Hazard told reporters. "They would have been better off not doing it and winning. 

"We're here to play football. I'm not here to pass on a political message, there are people who are better placed for that. We want to concentrate on the football."

Germany and Belgium were two of seven European teams that had planned to wear the specially designed armbands in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are criminalised.

Asked about his own stance on the issue, and whether he would have liked to have shown his support, Hazard said: "I'm not at ease talking about it. I'm here to play football.

"We were kind of forbidden from... I didn't want to start the match with a yellow card; it would have been annoying for the rest of the tournament.

"If I were to redo it, maybe I would wear it."

Quickfire late goals from Ritsu Doan and fellow substitute Takuma Asano gave Japan victory over Germany after Ilkay Gundogan had opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

Belgium dodged an upset in their opening group match, meanwhile, as Michy Batshuayi's strike earned them a 1-0 win over Canada at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

Dietmar Hamann claims "unprofessionalism and arrogance" has seeped into the Germany ranks as he predicted Hansi Flick's team face group-stage elimination at the World Cup.

The former national team midfielder doubts Germany will get the better of Spain in Sunday's second round of Group E games and he suspects another disappointment will prove fatal in the wake of the shock defeat to Japan.

Hamann singled out Antonio Rudiger's conduct as being typical of Germany's approach to the Japan game, claiming the moment where the defender shepherded the ball out of play after a bizarre high-knee run was disrespectful.

It came when Germany were 1-0 ahead, but they went on to lose 2-1 on Wednesday, a staggering result almost on a par with Saudi Arabia's shock win against Argentina.

"That was symptomatic of the unprofessionalism and arrogance in the German game and of disrespect that couldn't be surpassed because he made the opponent look ridiculous," Hamann said of the Rudiger moment.

Slating the team from all angles in his Sky Sport Germany column, Hamann also described Germany as "too soft, too nice and too monotonous", claiming Japan were the fitter side, and saying of Flick's players: "I never had the feeling that there was a team on the pitch."

 

He spared Jamal Musiala from criticism, but Hamann said the Germany team management had "decided to put harmony above all else" when preparing for the tournament, arguing veteran defender Mats Hummels should not have been left out of Flick's squad, pinpointing the defender as a player who "takes responsibility".

"You need friction! This creates stimuli. I feel like we die in beauty," Hamann said.

"I expect Japan to win against Costa Rica on Sunday. A draw against Spain will probably not be enough. You probably have to win, but I don't see that."

Spain were 7-0 winners against Costa Rica on Wednesday, a measure of La Roja's prowess that should focus German minds.

Hamann also suspects Germany were put off by controversy surrounding the OneLove armbands, a gesture of non-discrimination that FIFA has pushed for teams not to wear. Instead, Germany's players posed for a pre-game picture with hands over their mouths, signalling they felt gagged.

"Players can't fix something that federations couldn't do before. They're in Qatar to play football, which may not be an excuse, but of course it's a distraction," Hamann wrote. "The last few days felt more about the armband than about Japan. That certainly didn't help."

Japan's winning goal in Wednesday's surprise victory over Germany was one of the easiest ever scored at a World Cup, according to Ilkay Gundogan.

Gundogan appeared to have put Germany on course for victory when he converted a first-half penalty, but Japan hit back in sensational fashion after half-time through two Bundesliga attackers.   

Freiburg's Ritsu Doan levelled after Manuel Neuer pushed Takumi Minamino's cross into his path, before Bochum winger Takuma Asano sent Japan's fans into raptures with a powerful near-post finish late on.

Asano's winner was the result of some dismal defending from Niklas Sule, who inexplicably played the 28-year-old onside from Ko Itakura's long ball, and Gundogan cannot recall a more straightforward goal being scored on the biggest stage.

"We made it too easy for Japan, especially with the second goal. I don't know if an easier goal has ever been scored at a World Cup," Gundogan told reporters.

"It can't happen. This is a World Cup. We dominated the game for the most part, Manu [Neuer] saved us once in the second half. That's why we have him. 

"We had incredible opportunities up front, but we didn't score the second goal. How the goals came about was far too easy. 

"There was a bit of a lack of conviction that we could hold the ball and move, that we could offer ourselves.

"We relied on long balls in the second half and the short balls we played were lost easily and quickly. You felt like not everyone wanted the ball."

As well as dealing a blow to the hopes of the country where they ply their trade, Doan and Asano became the first pair of substitutes to score in a single World Cup game against Germany.

Wednesday's game also represented Japan's first win against Die Mannschaft, with the Samurai Blue having posted one loss and one draw in the teams' two previous meetings.

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