Germany (National Football)

Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored late in the second half to lead Japan to a shocking 2-1 upset win over Germany in the Group E opener at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.

Ilkay Gündogan put the four-time World Cup champions ahead from the penalty spot in the first half. The German defense faltered inside the final 15 minutes, however, and the Samurai Blue took full advantage inside Qatar's Khalifa International Stadium.

Here's a look at some social media reaction to the tournament's latest stunner:

Germany joins Argentina as expected championship contenders to drop their opening match. Lionel Messi and Co. fell short against Saudi Arabia in similar fashion on Tuesday as the Green Falcons netted a pair of second-half goals to secure the upset.

Most of the numbers from Wednesday's match heavily favored the Germans, who held 74 percent of possession, a 25-11 advantage in shots attempted and a massive 751-214 edge in passes completed.

Their execution in the final third was lacking, however, and Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda was up to the task when called upon with seven saves.

Germany's inability to score a second goal—a tap-in by Kai Havertz late in the first half was taken off the scoreboard after VAR showed the play was clearly offside—left the door open for Japan.

Doan and Asano capitalized on a 10-minute stretch of lackluster, wide-open defending by Germany, who couldn't respond with an equalizer despite some late pressure.

Spain and Costa Rica will play later Wednesday to determine the full Group E standings after the first matchday.

Regardless of that result, Germany is going to face a lot of pressure to secure a result in Sunday's marquee clash with Spain to keep its hopes of surviving the group alive, especially after the squad's early exit four years ago in Russia.

The losses by the favored Argentines and Germans are also a wake-up call to the tournament favorites that there won't be any guaranteed points in Qatar.

The FIFA men's World Cup starts Sunday, kicking off the first-ever iteration of the competition in the fall.

Qatar will host the tournament, which will feature 32 teams split into eight groups of four. Those quartets will undergo a round-robin schedule within their groups, and the top two teams in each will advance to the 16-team knockout round.

As is the case every year, there are "Groups of Death" in the tournament. Some quartets appear far more competitive than others on paper, either because the group is deep or because of numerous heavyweights getting drawn together.

This year, three groups stand out over the others. Here's a look at that trio as the World Cup nears.

Group B: England, Iran, United States, Wales

Group B is the only group that features four teams in the top 20 of the FIFA rankings. England is fifth, followed by the United States (16th), Wales (19th) and Iran (20th).

Per DraftKings Sportsbook, England is the overwhelming favorite to win the group at -280 ($280 bet to win $100), followed by Wales and the United States (+500 each; bet $100 to win $500) and Iran (+1600).

Led by Harry Kane, who scored 12 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches, England should (in theory) roll to the top of the group. That was the thought in 2010, when England was matched with Slovenia, the United States and Algeria.

However, England scratched and survived just to advance after a win and two draws, one of which was a 1-1 game against the U.S.

The two sides will face off yet again this year, with the game coming on Black Friday. For the U.S., it could be do-or-die if they lose their opener to Wales. For England, it could be win-and-in if the favorites handle business versus Iran. Regardless of the circumstances, that's the match to watch in Group B as a trio of teams look to knock off the world power that is the Three Lions.

Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan

Two of the six teams on the top of the DraftKings Sportsbook World Cup odds ledger reside in Group E. Spain is there at +850, while Germany sits at +1000.

Those two teams are the clear favorites to advance. Their matchup in the group stage is the one to watch here.

Don't sleep on Costa Rica and Japan, though.

Costa Rica caught fire near the end of its World Cup qualifying round thanks to four wins and a draw in its last five matches. They beat New Zealand in the World Cup playoff to advance.

Japan could be a dangerous side in this tournament thanks to the dynamic duo of Takumi Minamino and Yuya Osako, who scored 10 goals each during World Cup qualifying.

Both teams have tall tasks ahead of them against the European powers, but chaos has happened before in the group stage and could well happen again.

Group G: Brazil, Cameroon, Serbia, Switzerland

Brazil is the clear World Cup favorite. DraftKings Sportsbook lists them as +350 to win it all atop the 32-team list.

FIFA's No. 1 team features one of the game's top all-time players in Neymar, who features on a talented roster including English Premier League attackers Richarlison, Antony, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.

It won't be a cakewalk for to the top of the group for Brazil (-300 odds to win the group), however. Switzerland (+550), Serbia (+650) and Cameroon (+1200) are all quite capable of advancing to the knockout round.

Switzerland only allowed two goals over eight qualifying matches en route to finishing 5-3-0 for 18 points to top Group C. Serbia also won its group, besting Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal by three points. The matchup between these two could determine one of the two knockout spots in this group.

Cameroon is the underdog of this group, but that was also the case in 1990 when the Indomitable Lions made a sensational run to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. They haven't been able to get out of the group stage since, but they sport a deep roster capable of advancing to the knockout round.

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Jurgen Klinsmann has said he is excited by the prospect of Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane pairing up to play for Germany. 

Gnabry, 24, netted a hat-trick against Northern Ireland in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying on Tuesday to enhance his already impressive international goalscoring record:

Manchester City's Sane, 23, is sidelined with a serious knee injury, but manager Pep Guardiola is expecting him to return to action in the new year:

As such, he and Bayern Munich star Gnabry could be Germany's key attacking threats at next summer's Euros. And former Germany boss Klinsmann believes they could be a devastating duo, per Goal: "We have with Serge Gnabry, who has a gigantic year behind him. And with Leroy Sane two mega-offensive forces that would tear everyone [apart]."

Germany's 6-1 victory over Northern Ireland ensured they beat Netherlands to top spot in Group C.

Manager Joachim Low has downplayed Germany's prospects at Euro 2020, saying they "are not among the favourites." He picked out France, England, Netherlands and Spain as more likely winners for the tournament.

However, based on recent displays, particularly Tuesday's demolition of Northern Ireland, Die Mannschaft will be a threat.

Germany have a remarkable recent record at the Euros. They finished runners-up in 2008 and made the semi-finals in both 2012 and 2016.

Given the depth of talent they have in their squad, it would be no surprise to see them go deep again next summer.

Germany secured top spot in Group C of UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying with a 6-1 victory over Northern Ireland in Frankfurt on Tuesday.

Michael Smith opened the scoring early for the visitors, but Serge Gnabry equalised soon after and Leon Goretzka put Germany ahead just before the break .

Gnabry put the game out of sight as he completed his hat-trick with two second-half goals before Goretzka's second and Julian Brandt's late strike confirmed Germany topped the pool despite the Netherlands' comfortable win over Estonia. 

Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying via Group C were ended by Saturday's 0-0 draw with the Dutch. But Michael O'Neill's side will have another chance in March's play-offs.

Squawka provided both lineups before kick-off:

Smith gave Northern Ireland a dream start when he found the bottom corner with a brilliant right-footed effort from 25 yards:

The response from Germany was almost immediate when Gnabry forced a superb close-range save from Bailey Peacock-Farrell before Ilkay Gunodgan headed against the post in the 12th minute.

Five minutes later, Gnabry did equalise. Jonas Hector cut the ball into the box, Gnabry took a touch with his left foot, swivelled 12 yards from goal, and hammered home with his right.

Ireland responded well, and their spirited defence looked set to get them to the break with the scores level until they lost concentration in the dying stages of the first half.

The enterprising Hector delivered another ball across the box in the 44th minute, and after it was missed by Gnabry and two Irish defenders, Goretzka bundled home from six yards.

Two minutes after the break, Germany effectively wrapped up the points.

Gnabry again received the ball in space in the box, took a touch, and buried his finish with consummate ease. 

From there it was damage limitation for the visitors.

Toni Kroos forced another fine save from Peacock-Farrell and Gnabry headed a brilliant chance wide.

But the 24-year-old atoned just after the hour when he secured his hat-trick, out-muscling Tom Flanagan and scoring from a tight angle after a pinpoint through-ball from Brandt:

Goretzka got his second 18 minutes from time with a nonchalant finish from the edge of the box. And Brandt completed the rout with a powerful strike in stoppage time after he beat the offside trap. 

Germany will try to lock up top spot in their UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying group on Tuesday, when they face Northern Ireland in their final match of 2019.

Die Mannschaft have already booked their Euro 2020 spot, but the Netherlands can still pass them in the standings and secure a top seed. Caesars has Germany as the -715 favourites over Northern Ireland, who check in at +1800. A draw is priced at +811.

Kick-off will be at 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET., and fans can watch via Sky Sports (UK) or ESPN 2 (U.S.).

Here is a look at the top of the Group C standings entering the final matchday:

Both Germany and the Netherlands are already through to the tournament, seeing off a valiant effort from Northern Ireland.

One of the key results in the race for the top two came in the first meeting between these two teams, a 2-0 win for Die Mannschaft:

Germany are coming off an impressive 4-0 win over Belarus, while Northern Ireland played out a scoreless draw with the Netherlands on Saturday. That result gave the Oranje the head-to-head advantage.

In Frankfurt, the advantage would appear to lie with the hosts, who have lost just a single match this year. That match saw the Dutch beat them 4-2 in Hamburg in September.

Manager Joachim Low has already made it clear he plans to make some changes to the team that beat Belarus, starting in goal:

It's a huge opportunity for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been stuck behind Manuel Neuer in the pecking order. He may not get a lot of chances to shine, however.

Northern Ireland's strong campaign has come courtesy of their defensive fortitude, not their attack. With just eight goals scored in seven qualifiers, they don't present a major threat going forward.

Kyle Lafferty is the team's top option in attack, while Josh Magennis is the only player who has scored more than one goal during this qualifying campaign.

Timo Werner and Serge Gnabry have been in great form in the Bundesliga. They should ensure Germany dispatch of their opponents easily.

Prediction: Germany 3-0 Northern Ireland

Germany manager Joachim Low said his side aren't among the favourites to win UEFA Euro 2020, which will be his fourth European Championships since taking charge of the team.

Only seven of the 19 outfielders in Low's current squad are aged 25 or older—four of whom are defenders—and he considers his side to be trailing some of their peers ahead of next year's tournament.

Low spoke at a press conference ahead of Germany's qualifier at home against Group C opponents Belarus on Saturday and said:

"We don't belong to the tournament favourites. France, England have been playing with the same players for years. There are the Dutch, Spain.

"Us, with our young team, we are not among the favourites because we are still in the process of change.

"Maybe in two or four years when the players are at their peak. I mean a lot is possible with this team and we are working on that because it does have a lot of quality."

The 59-year-old was appointed Germany boss in 2006 and has enjoyed a successful reign at their helm, though confidence was dented following a surprise group-stage exit at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Germany—world champions in 2014—also suffered relegation last year in the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League.

Die Mannschaft are currently second in Group C, level on points with the first-place Netherlands, against whom they hold an inferior head-to-head record.

The team triumphed 3-0 away to Estonia in their last qualifier in October, overcoming Emre Can's early dismissal to maintain their pace near the Group C summit:

Low added:

"We have had games where we played really well over 45 minutes and when I was surprised at how well some things worked. But we have not yet managed to do it over 90 minutes against tough opponents. That is the job we have.

"It is a bit like the situation in 2010. But to play for the title will be difficult. There are things that are possible but we don’t have the favourites role this time."

Hertha Berlin defender Niklas Stark, 24, has been called into Germany's squad and could earn his first cap against Belarus, while 23-year-old Freiburg defender Robin Koch is chasing his second Germany appearance.

Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer remains at the centre of debate regarding who should start in goal for Germany, and Low addressed the head-to-head between the 33-year-old and 27-year-old Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who plays for Barcelona:

Germany will secure a top-two finish in their pool and automatically qualify for Euro 2020 provided they clinch at least a draw when they host Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Goals from Marcel Halstenberg and Serge Gnabry helped them defeat the same foe 2-0 in Belfast in September.

Low may not consider his side as Euro 2020 favourites as things stand, but he'll hope his squad can close the margin to their rivals before the tournament begins on June 12 in 12 host cities.