İlkay Gündoğan scored Germany’s first goal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, converting a penalty in the 33rd minute vs. Japan on Wednesday. After a frantic few seconds inside the box, Japan goalkeeper Shūichi Gonda fouled midfielder David Raum.
Just a little bit of a foul in the box 😅 pic.twitter.com/3FmznGFUdg
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 23, 2022
Then Manchester City man Gündoğan stepped up and confidently hammered the penalty home, giving Germany a 1-0 lead heading into the half.
GERMANY SCORES ITS FIRST GOAL OF THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP 🇩🇪
Too easy for İlkay Gündoğan 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ew1fDKQnLa
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 23, 2022
While many referee calls can be debatable, this seemed like a clear cut penalty without much argument.
Probably enough for two penalties there in that foul by Gonda on Raum. Tripped him up and then fell on him for good measure. 1-0, Ilkay Gundogan with the spot-kick. Germany up and running
— Tom Barclay (@TomBarclay_) November 23, 2022
That’s a certain penalty. Sakai leaves his keeper in all kinds of trouble and then Gonda isn’t getting away with his grab of Raum.
— Liam Wraith (@liamwraith22) November 23, 2022
Man City and others praised the 32-year-old midfielder’s goal on Twitter. Gündoğan has had a strong half as his team looks to bounce back from 2018 when they finished last in their group in a failed attempt to defend their 2014 World Cup championship.
From the spot 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ke5LaLSedf
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 23, 2022
Ilkay Gundogan’s first half by numbers vs. Japan:
100% dribbles completed
94% pass accuracy
62 touches
50 passes completed
2 long balls completed
1 goalIce-cool penalty to give his side the lead. 🧊 pic.twitter.com/YKM096C18j
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 23, 2022
TOOOOOOOOOOOOR GÜNDOGAN! pic.twitter.com/9lL1OWrGZo
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) November 23, 2022
Gundogan shining for Germany so far. A real metronome at the heart of midfield.
— Amos Murphy (@AmosMurphy_) November 23, 2022
Gundogan converts from the spot! 1-0!
Get in. pic.twitter.com/jXX9xbrry3
— ari (@aritrabvb1909) November 23, 2022
About Jesse Ghiorzi