World Cup: Manuel Neuer with Brutally Honest Message to Germany After Shock Defeat to Japan

• Manuel Neuer was thoroughly critical of his teammates after a shock defeat to Japan
• The Germans threw away a one-goal lead as Japan came from behind to win 2-1
• Neuer and his wads will now need a positive result against Spain on Sunday, November 27 to have any hopes of qualifying to the knockout stages

Germany’s veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has come out to question his teammates after succumbing to defeat to Japan on Wednesday, November 23.

The Germans were overwhelming favourites going into the Group E clash, and they looked to be on course for victory after Ilkay Gundogan’s first-half penalty.

But Japan ended up upsetting the odds as a number of substitutions for the Samurai Blue ended up being the crucial moment of the game.

It was First Ritsu Doan who pulled a goal back in the 75th minute for Japan, before former Arsenal man Takuma Asano completed the comeback eight minutes later, leaving Germany at the brink of a group stage elimination for a second successive tournament.

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Neuer’s disappointment

Speaking after the game, Neuer could barely hide his disappointment as he openly questioned his side’s ability to see out a lead.

"I'm totally frustrated and upset that we gave up the game," he moaned. "That was more than unnecessary.” Neuer said as quoted on The Mirror.

"After the break, we didn't have that flow of play anymore, didn't play with the self-confidence we had in the first half. It was a bit more difficult because they started higher, but we still have to play well.”

According to the Bayern Munich shotstopper, his nation lacked the killer instinct up front which ultimately cost them the game

What next for Germany?

Similar to 2018, Germany have now lost their opening game in the World Cup.

The result coupled with Spain’s emphatic 7-0 victory over Costa Rica in the same group, now means Germany will have to go all out with an improved performance and score line against Luis Enrique’s side to boost their chance of proceeding to the knockout stages.

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Spain the team to beat?

As Sports Brief earlier reported, football fans had the same conclusion after Spain’s emphatic victory over Costa Rica on Wednesday.

The Spaniards were simply too good on the day as they completely demolished their South American opponents 7-0 at the Al Thumama Stadium.

On social media, fans were handed a brutal reality check as they instantly came to the realization that Spain was actually one of the teams that actually look up for the challenge to try to win the 2022 World Cup as they did in 2010.