Klara Bühl completes Germany comeback in Bremen

Germany wrapped up their October international window with a second consecutive win, coming from behind to beat Japan 2-1 at the Weserstadion on Tuesday.

Momoko Tanikawa gave Japan an early lead, but Germany found their way back through Linda Dallmann before Klara Bühl struck the winner in the 73rd minute. It was a result built on patience and persistence, with the hosts finding a way through after Japan threatened to make life difficult.

The victory followed Germany’s 4-2 win over Australia on October 9, giving Christian Wück’s side another encouraging result as they continue preparing for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Japan offered a different challenge from Australia. Technically sharp and comfortable working in tight spaces, the reigning Asian champions showed they could cause problems without needing long spells of possession. Germany, meanwhile, had to find a balance between controlling the game and making that control count in front of goal.

Japan open first, but Germany respond

Japan needed just one moment to make their mark. In the 15th minute, Aoba Fujino found Tanikawa inside the box, where the young midfielder created space for herself before beating goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic.

It was a clinical finish, and a reminder that Germany could not afford to switch off. The hosts had enjoyed more of the ball, but Japan showed how quickly they could turn a small opening into a goal.

Germany did not panic. Instead, they continued to work their way forward, with Bühl and Franziska Kett causing problems down the left. Their movement stretched Japan’s defence and gave Germany a way to get into dangerous areas, even as the visitors tried to keep things compact.

The equaliser arrived in the 28th minute. Bühl picked out Dallmann inside the box, and the Bayern Munich forward finished from close range to bring Germany level at 1-1.

Germany had their sights on a second before the break, too. Bühl came close on the counterattack, only to send her effort narrowly wide. Japan had spent much of the half defending, but they held on to take the game into the interval all square.

Bühl makes the difference

Germany came out after halftime looking to turn their growing pressure into something more. Wück introduced Janina Minge and Melissa Kössler, hoping to give his side fresh energy as they searched for a winner.

Bühl remained at the heart of Germany’s attacking play. She was direct, inventive and willing to take on her marker, even producing a nutmeg near the corner flag that brought a reaction from the home crowd. It was the kind of moment that captured her confidence on the ball and the threat she posed throughout the match.

Japan were not ready to give in. Goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita kept her side in the contest with a save to deny Dallmann, while the defence continued to frustrate Germany whenever the hosts tried to force their way through.

Eventually, though, Germany found the breakthrough. In the 73rd minute, Kössler supplied the pass and Bühl finished with her left foot, driving the ball low into the net to make it 2-1.

After setting up Dallmann’s equaliser, Bühl had now delivered the goal that put Germany in front. Her influence had grown as the game went on, and this time Japan had no immediate answer.

Germany saw out the closing stages without surrendering their lead, turning an early setback into a comeback win.

The numbers tell the story

Germany finished with 56% possession, 13 shots and 30 touches inside Japan’s penalty area. Japan managed nine shots and 14 touches in the box, highlighting how often the hosts were able to bring the game into the attacking third.

The passing numbers told a similar story. Germany completed 488 passes at an 87% success rate, compared with Japan’s 358 at 82%. They moved the ball more consistently and spent longer periods building attacks around the visitors’ defensive shape.

Still, Japan made Germany work for it. They won 25 tackles to Germany’s 19 and came out ahead in total duels, winning 44 to the hosts’ 36. Their physicality and willingness to contest every ball meant Germany could not simply rely on possession to find a way through.

The difference came in the decisive moments. Dallmann took her chance to bring Germany level, and Bühl delivered when the hosts needed a winner. Japan had shown they could hurt Germany, but they were unable to find another goal after taking the lead.

A positive finish to the international window

For Germany, this was about more than adding another win to the record. After an open, high-scoring game against Australia, they faced a side that demanded greater patience and precision. Their response to conceding first was encouraging, particularly as they continued to create opportunities without losing their shape or composure.

Bühl was central to that effort, while Dallmann’s equaliser gave Germany the platform to push for the win. Kössler’s contribution off the bench also proved important, with her assist setting up the decisive goal.

Japan can take positives from their start and the intensity they brought to the contest. Tanikawa’s finish showed the quality they possess in attack, while their work without the ball kept Germany from running away with the game. The challenge will be sustaining that attacking threat when opponents begin to dictate the tempo.

For Wück, the October fixtures have provided two useful tests against different styles of opposition. Germany have shown they can score freely, but also that they can stay patient when a game becomes a battle for space.

At the Weserstadion, Japan made them earn the result. Germany's response was not immediate, but it was decisive. With Dallmann restoring parity and Bühl completing the comeback, the hosts finished their October window with another win and fresh momentum heading into the road to Brazil.