Japan was considered one of the dark horses to make an impression in Qatar before They kicked a ball. Hajime Moriyasu’s side tapped into that potential by shocking 2014 champions Germany in their opener. The Samurai Blue defended stoutly and then countered Hansi Flick’s men with purpose and penetration to produce a famous comeback.
The result echoed Germany’s 2018 start after Mexico stunned them four years ago. This time, it was Japan’s turn to claim an almighty scalp at football’s most prestigious competition. Their doom is now in their own hands. A Sunday win guarantees them an unlikely place in the knockouts.
Costa Rica was cast in a dramatic showing for their opener, though who caught them on the wrong end of a battering? Spain tore through them like a hot knife through butter to stick seven past a typically hard-to-beat Keylor Navas. Luis Fernando Suarez must now, somehow, rally the troops for Sunday.
Daichi Kamada wasn’t among the scorers in Japan’s historic win over Germany. Still, the Frankfurt midfielder was heavily influential going forward and will undoubtedly be among those looking to inflict further woe on Costa Rica this weekend. In fact, since the start of last season, only Lionel Messi (nine) has scored more goals in Europe (Champions League and Europa League combined) than Kamada (eight) among midfielders.
