Germany vs Japan live updates: Start time, line-ups, team news and ...

The fact Gotze was even in the conversation for the World Cup squad is extraordinary, considering what he has been through.

Regardless of what happens in Qatar over the next month or so, he has rebuilt his career and appears a mature figure.

Gotze belongs to that slightly odd bracket of players: not one of the very greats — a Diego Maradona, or a Ronaldo (either one), or a Lionel Messi — but one who has achieved the greatest thing in the game.

Everyone dreams of scoring the winner in the World Cup final.

Eight years ago, he did just that — scoring that winning goal for Germany against Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final.

And that too at just the tender age of 22.

Can he write his name in the history books once again?

Ali Humayun

GO FURTHER

Mario Gotze: ‘If I could rewrite history, I would score the World Cup-winning goal when I’m 35 and then stop playing’

Welcome to our live match blog for Germany's opening World Cup match in Qatar against Japan.

The two teams will be wanting to get off to a good start in their group in order to progress through to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Much of the pre-tournament debate regarding Group E has been whether it will be Germany who come out on top or if they will be beaten to top spot by Spain.

While Japan and Costa Rica cannot be underestimated — especially at World Cups — Hansi Flick and his players will want to progress to the round of 16 as group winners.

A strong start against the third-best side in the group would be the perfect way to send a message to Luis Enrique’s Spain ahead of their opener against Costa Rica.

However, Japan are a very good side in their own right and have everything it takes to trouble the two expected qualifiers from Group E. Their hopes of reaching the knockout stage would be massively boosted with a surprise win against Germany.

Omar Garrick·

Staff Editor, News