Germany Women Fight Back to Beat Japan 2-1 in Bremen Friendly

Germany’s women’s national team came from behind to defeat Japan 2-1 in an international friendly at the Weserstadion in Bremen on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Momoko Tanikawa gave Japan the lead before Linda Dallmann equalised in the first half, while Klara Bühl scored the decisive goal in the 73rd minute. The victory extended Germany’s unbeaten run to eight matches and provided another encouraging result as the team prepares for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Japan Strike First Through Momoko Tanikawa

Germany continued their preparations for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Japan, recovering from an early setback to secure their second win of the October international window.

The match took place at the Weserstadion in Bremen, where Germany faced an accomplished Japanese side fresh from winning 5-1 against Haiti. Japan made a confident start and took the lead in the 15th minute through Momoko Tanikawa.

The Bayern Munich midfielder received the ball after Aoba Fujino’s attacking pass, worked space inside the penalty area and beat Germany goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic with a well-placed finish. Her goal exposed some early defensive uncertainty from the hosts and put pressure on Germany to respond.

However, the opening goal did not derail the home side. Germany gradually increased their possession, moved the ball more effectively through midfield and began creating opportunities from wide areas.

Linda Dallmann Restores Parity Before Half-Time

Germany’s growing influence was rewarded in the 28th minute when Linda Dallmann scored the equaliser.

The goal developed down the left flank, where Franziska Kett and Klara Bühl combined to create an opening. Dallmann found room to shoot and finished emphatically, sending the ball into the top corner to bring Germany level.

The equaliser changed the rhythm of the contest, with Germany becoming more confident in possession and increasingly effective in the final third. Dallmann remained a central figure in the hosts’ attacking play and came close to scoring again before the interval.

Bühl also threatened Japan’s defence, using her pace to create space and test the visitors’ back line. Although neither side found another goal before the break, Germany finished the first half with renewed momentum.

Germany Maintain Pressure After the Restart

Germany carried their improved performance into the second half, continuing to press forward while limiting Japan’s ability to create clear scoring opportunities.

Head coach Christian Wück made changes at the interval, introducing substitute players to refresh the side and maintain its attacking intensity. The adjustments helped Germany retain control for long spells as Japan struggled to reproduce the threat it had shown during the opening stages.

Dallmann nearly completed a brace in the 65th minute after receiving a pass from Bühl, but Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita was able to make the save.

Germany continued to search for a winner, with Bühl particularly influential on the left. Her movement and willingness to attack defenders repeatedly stretched Japan’s defensive structure, setting the stage for the decisive moment.

Klara Bühl Scores the Winning Goal

Germany finally moved ahead in the 73rd minute when Bühl found the net to complete the comeback.

The move was created by Melissa Kössler, whose pass picked out Bühl in space inside the penalty area. The Bayern Munich winger kept her composure and finished into the far corner, leaving Yamashita unable to prevent Germany from taking a 2-1 lead.

The goal capped an influential performance from Bühl, who had already helped create Dallmann’s equaliser. It also proved decisive in a contest between two highly regarded international sides preparing for the next major women’s football tournament.

Japan attempted to find a late response, but Germany defended their advantage and saw out the match to claim another positive result under Wück.

Victory Extends Germany’s Unbeaten Run

The result extended Germany’s unbeaten run to eight matches and followed their 4-2 victory over Australia earlier in the international break. Winning both fixtures gave the team a useful test against opponents from outside Europe, with different playing styles and tactical challenges.

Germany’s comeback also demonstrated their ability to recover after conceding first. Rather than allowing Japan’s early goal to dictate the contest, the hosts improved their control of possession, created more attacking opportunities and eventually found a winner through sustained pressure.

Japan, meanwhile, showed its quality in the opening stages and took the lead through a technically accomplished finish. However, Germany’s response and second-half control ultimately proved the difference.

World Cup Preparation Continues Ahead of Brazil 2027

The friendly formed part of Germany’s preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be staged in Brazil. With the tournament approaching, matches against teams such as Japan provide an opportunity to assess tactical options, squad depth and performance under pressure.

For Wück, the two October victories offer encouraging signs, particularly in the attacking contributions of Dallmann and Bühl. Germany will nevertheless have areas to refine, including the defensive lapse that allowed Japan to take an early lead.

The 2-1 result in Bremen gives Germany another positive step in their preparations, while Japan will take lessons from a competitive encounter against one of Europe’s leading national teams. Both sides will continue working towards the World Cup, where consistency across the tournament will be essential.