Germany humbled by 2-1 defeat against Japan
GERMANY became the second World Cup giant to suffer a shock defeat in Qatar when they lost 2-1 to Japan yesterday.
Before the game, Germany protested against Fifa’s ban on the OneLove rainbow inclusivity armband by holding their hands across their mouths.
And the country’s sports minister, Nancy Faeser, wore an armband next to Fifa president Gianni Infantino at Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium.
Fifa ruled this week that any captain wearing a OneLove armband would automatically receive a yellow card.
Four-times winner Germany, one of England’s great rivals, follow Argentina – who lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1 – in being humbled by lesser opponents. They had led 1-0 for most of the game but succumbed to two late goals.
Former England striker and football pundit Chris Sutton said Germany were now “under real pressure” in Group E.
But he said Japan – nicknamed the Samurai Blue and ranked 24th in world football – were in a “wonderful position”.