Antonio Rudiger slammed for ‘mocking’ Japan star Takuma Asano with ‘cartoon character running’ before Germany suffer shock World Cup defeat

Antonio Rudiger has been accused of ‘mocking’ Japan forward Takuma Asano during Germany’s World Cup defeat.

With the four-time world champions were 1-0 up the Real Madrid man was forced to defend a ball over the top.

Rudiger’s ‘mocking’ run was criticised by talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino

The ex-Chelsea star pulled out a bizarre running style, seemingly over exaggerating his movements as he shepherded the ball out of play.

talkSPORT’s co-commentator for the match, Tony Cascarino, was not impressed with Rudiger.

He said: “Rudiger there is mocking his opposition position in Asano, that was a strange running style but he was laughing as he was running.”

Commentator Jim Proudfoot added: “It’s an idiosyncratic running style he’s got. His arms are like a cartoon character running through treacle, but he does actually make headway when it looks like he shouldn’t.”

That over-zealousness came back to haunt them as disaster struck for Germany as they conceded two late goals in the space of eight minutes to lose 2-1.

Ritsu Doan got the first before it was Asano himself who got the winner. Ilkay Gundogan had put Hansi Flick’s side in front with a penalty.

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Rudiger joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer from Chelsea

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Cascarino went back to that moment after Japan had taken the lead and again questioned Rudiger’s actions.

He said: “Do you feel that moment of Rudiger mocking the forward when he was running contributed to the lackadaisical approach in the second half that Germany have had in this game?

“He was smiling as he was running and he was clearly mocking the Japanese centre-forward.”

Germany could not find an equaliser and now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stage with Spain and Costa Rica also in their group.

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