Germany stunned and staring at embarrassment again after falling to Land of the Rising Subs

The 2014 champions Germany had a record-equallingly bad time of things at the 2018 World Cup, and now history may be repeating itself.

The pressure on the German men’s national team has started to feel existential these last couple of years. During the summer, they dropped the ‘Die Mannschaft’ nickname over concerns it may be perceived as ‘arrogant’. After failing to get past the group stage of a World Cup for the first time in 80 years in 2018, and with their Euro 2020 adventure ending abruptly at Wembley in the last 16, there had been an air of despondency hanging over them heading into a tournament that hasn’t been particularly high on good vibes.

And now, despite having taken a first-half lead gifted to them by some heroically ill-thought-out goalkeeping, they’re staring into the abyss after just one game again. 2022 isn’t shaping up to be any better than 2018 was on the basis of this performance or result.

With a full-blown row now at the point of breaking out between FIFA and the nations prevented from wearing their ‘OneLove’ armbands, the German team warmed up in training tops with rainbow-coloured sleeves and then covered their mouths for the team photograph. The subsequent pictures have already flashed around the world. The German team can take considerable pride in their own comment on the atrocious way in which the governing body are handling all of this. It remains to be seen which other nations will follow them. Pressure will almost certainly build upon England to do so, as it should.

For much of the evening, Germany looked uncharacteristically uneasy. The high press was present and correct, but this was prog rock football rather than heavy metal. The passing seemed slightly ponderous and meandering, as though no-one really wanted to wrestle ownership of taking a chance.

Japan seemed prepared for this and were happy to sit deep. When they did break, it was invariably on the right-hand side and usually ended with the wrong ball being played in the vague direction of the penalty spot.

And when lady luck is smiling upon you it’s best to take your opportunities, as Germany did after 32 minutes following some reckless goalkeeping from Suichi Gonda. With Hiroki Sikai having gone absent without leave on the right side of their defence, Joshua Kimmich’s angled pass found David Raum in a lot of space inside the Japan penalty area. Gonda had a go at Raum’s ankles once but the forward got away from him, but at the second…