Germany v Japan ratings: Gundogan 6, Muller 7; Asano 8, Ito 8

Asian side stage stunning comeback to secure 2-1 World Cup win on Wednesday

GERMANY RATINGS: Manuel Neuer – 6. The skipper began his fourth World Cup campaign with a mixed display. After the early scare of Maeda’s disallowed goal he made one brilliant save from Ito but had no chance with Roan’s equaliser. By his standards, questions might be asked of Asano’s near-post winner. Getty

Niklas Sule – 5. Tested as Japan sought to exploit Germany’s full-backs, but largely gave as good as he got and always looked to be on the front foot in possession. Tired as the game wore on and was caught out by a long ball to play Asano onside for the winner. AP

Antonio Rudiger – 5. Dealt with everything Japan could throw at him aerially, but lamented his own failure to do better with a free header from a Kimmich corner in the first period. His game got steadily busier and slowly fell apart in the second period under Japanese pressure. Reuters

Nico Schlotterbeck – 5. Had to cover for Raum more than once and initially did so with a high level of poise. Grew increasingly ragged, however, and was outwitted by Asano in the game’s defining moment. Reuters

David Raum – 5. Faced plenty of defensive questions in transition but made up for that with a constant attacking menace. Involved in Germany’s best first-half chances and won the all-important penalty, but his defensive shortcomings were evident after the break. Getty

Joshua Kimmich – 6. Tidy and intelligent in midfield role, but his influence waned as the game unfolded. Provided reliable set-piece deliveries. Had one stinging shot beaten away by Gonda and blazed another well over from an inviting position. Getty

Ilkay Gundogan – 6. Offered a reprieve when caught in possession for Maeda’s disallowed goal, but his contribution improved after that. Might have done better when his effort was blocked by Yoshida but soon broke the deadlock with an ice-cool penalty conversion. Hit the post in the second half when he might have done better. AFP

Jamal Musiala – 7. Germany’s youngest World Cup starter since 1958 never looked out of place. Blazed over after a superb piece of possession play at the end of the first half, then again early in the second after a sublime solo run. Livewire. AFP

Thomas Muller – 7. The old stager slipped above and below radar as required by his side, joining the dots time and again in Germany’s forward forays. Next-level intellect which too often went unrewarded by his team-mates. Reuters

Serge Gnabry – 6. A lively attacking outlet throughout who caused Japan regular problems, but his decision-making at key times was off-kilter and that ultimately came back to haunt Flick’s men. Getty

Kai Havertz – 5. While lacking the attacking thrust demanded of his role, the Chelsea man compensated by setting the benchmark for endeavour, chasing lost causes and loose balls. Belatedly denied a tap-in for a clear offside. Needed to do more generally with his chance. AFP

SUBS: Jonas Hofmann (Thomas Muller, 67) – 5. Added little to Germany’s play at a time when Japan’s changes were steadily wresting control of the game. AP

Leon Goretzka (Ilkay Gundogan, 67) – 6. Added energy to Germany’s flagging performance, but could have had a much bigger impact on the outcome with better finishing. AFP

Mario Gotze (Kai Havertz, 79) – N/A. Niclas Fullkrug (Jamal Musiala, 79) – N/A. Youssofa Moukoko (Serge Gnabry, 90) – N/A. Reuters

JAPAN RATINGS: Shuichi Gonda – 7. Made a strong save from Kimmich’s effort but blotted his copy book with the clumsy concession of Germany’s penalty. Atoned with a vital stop from Goretzka and a brilliant double stop from Gnabry shortly before Japan levelled. The game’s turning point. Getty

Hiroki Sakai – 6. Caught out of position for Germany’s penalty and was regularly pinpointed in the first half. After Japan’s formational shift in the second period he was able to contribute more going forward – though he should have done better after Ito’s shot had been parried. EPA

Maya Yoshida – 7. The veteran centre-back led by example throughout with his intelligent reading of the game. Blocked Gundogan’s goalbound effort in a scramble just before the half-hour. Showed a wide range of passing and led a fine late defensive effort. Getty

Ko Itakura – 6. A mixed performance in which he was outfoxed by Musiala more than once but looked to compensate by imposing himself physically on the contest. Gave his all and turned in a gritty, resilient display. AP

Yuto Nagatomo – 6. Made history as his country’s first player to appear at four World Cups. Fired in a wondrous cross on the stroke of half-time which almost led to a Maeda leveller, then made way early in the second half. AP

Wataru Endo – 8. A fine display in the heart of midfield. Ate up the ground, triumphed in most of his personal duels and demonstrated football intelligence in possession. Played a key role in shaping Japan’s control of the game. Getty

Ao Tanaka – 7. Set the tone with a succession of tough early challenges and was razor sharp in the tackle throughout. Helped his side keep a foothold in the game as Germany passed up a string of chances, before making way for Doan. Getty

Junya Ito – 8. Bright and lively across the entire game and a key performer in Japan’s historic turnaround. Only denied a deserved goal by Neuer’s superb one-handed save shortly before the scores were tied. EPA

Daichi Kamada – 8 A delightful contribution, full of smart, snappy touches. The Eintracht Frankfurt schemer was technically excellent throughout and thoroughly deserving of his role in the win. Getty

Takefusa Kubo – 5 Hooked at half-time as coach Moriyasu sought to shore up Japan’s susceptibility on the right flank. Prior to that, the winger showed willingness but performance amounted to little more than endeavour. EPA

Daizen Maeda – 6. Thought he’d broken the deadlock early on with a clinical finish, but was caught offside. Headed just wide on the cusp of the interval and made way early in the second period. Getty

SUBS: Takehiro Tomiyasu (Takefusa Kubo, half-time) – 7. Introduced for the second period as Japan switched formation, and it proved to be an inspired decision. A sweat-soaked shift under immense pressure. Getty

Kaoru Mitoma (Yuto Nagatomo, 57) – 7. Brighton striker was given just over half-an-hour to sharpen up his side’s attack and he continued replicating his fine Premier League form. Getty

Takuma Asano (Daizen Maeda, 57) – 8. Straight into the action, providing a fresh threat for Japan. Took a little while to find his shooting range, but ultimately discovered it in sensational fashion. AFP

Ritsu Doan (Ao Tanaka, 71) – 7. An inspired introduction. Looked lively from the moment of his introduction and capped that display with a famous equaliser, powering in from close range. AFP

Takumi Minamino (Hiroki Sakai, 74) – 7. An almost instant impact, playing a huge role in Doan’s leveller and posing a series of questions of Germany’s tiring backline. AP

Japan stunned World Cup heavyweights Germany 2-1 on Wednesday thanks to late goals by Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano after the four-times champions had looked to be cruising to victory via an Ilkay Guendogan penalty.

The shock result was a repeat of their 2018 World Cup nightmare when, as defending champions, they lost their opener to Mexico and, after another defeat by South Korea, were condemned to an unheard of group-stage exit.

Germany looked in control of the Group E clash but, with each missed chance, left the door open for Japan, who showed almost nothing in attack until a series of substitutions injected some energy in the second half.

“I believe it’s a historic moment, a historic victory. If I think about the development of Japanese football, thinking of players, for them this was a big surprise,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, who had five Germany-based players in his starting line-up and three, including the scorers, on the bench.

“They’re fighting in a very strong, tough, prestigious league. They’ve been building up their strength. In that context we believe that those divisions [Bundesliga and second division] have been contributing to the development of Japanese players,” Moriyasu said. “I’m very grateful for that.”

Player ratings for the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.