It is difficult to recall a World Cup build-up with less talk of Germany as contenders and, as Group E got underway, Hansi Flick’s side announced their arrival in Qatar with a statement rebuke of Fifa’s bizarre cowardice - then produced a performance that showed exactly why, as they were stunned by Japan.
After the disaster of a group-stage exit as defending champions in Russia four years ago, this was supposed to be the afternoon normal German World Cup service resumed, and it looked on course to after Ilkay Gundogan’s first-half penalty.
