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View all search resultsGermany shocked by Japan, Spain hits seven
Japan produced a stunning comeback to shock Germany in its World Cup opener on Wednesday after the four-time champion staged a powerful protest against FIFA’s refusal to allow rainbow-themed armbands, while Spain started in style by putting seven past Costa Rica.
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J
apan produced a stunning comeback to shock Germany in its World Cup opener on Wednesday after the four-time champion staged a powerful protest against FIFA’s refusal to allow rainbow-themed armbands, while Spain started in style by putting seven past Costa Rica.
Elsewhere on the fourth day of action in Qatar, Belgium edged out Canada 1-0 while 2018 finalist Croatia drew with Morocco.
The build-up to the Group E match between Germany and Japan in Doha was dominated by intense speculation over whether German captain Manuel Neuer would wear the OneLove armband, viewed as a symbolic protest against laws in the Gulf state, where homosexuality is illegal.
Seven nations, including England and Germany, had abandoned plans to wear the armbands because of the threat of disciplinary action from world governing body FIFA.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer, who had come under political pressure to change his mind, did not wear the armband at the Khalifa International Stadium. Instead, the entire team covered their mouths before the kickoff.
“It wasn’t about making a political statement, human rights are nonnegotiable,” Germany’s football federation tweeted minutes later.
Watching in the stadium, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wore the armband while Qataris around her wore armbands bearing the kaffiyeh headdress in a show of support for the Palestinian cause.
