World Cup: Japan stun Germany 2-1

Japan, on Wednesday, pulled off the second stunning upset of the Qatar World Cup by beating Germany in a dramatic comeback.

In echoes of Argentina’s humiliating defeat to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Germany took the lead through a first-half penalty but goals from substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano in the last 15 minutes gave Japan a stunning 2-1 upset over the four-times champions in their World Cup Group E opener.

The Germans had dominated the contest at the Khalifa International Stadium and taken the lead with a 33rd minute penalty from Ilkay Guendogan after Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda had fouled wing back David Raum.

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However, Japan‘s raids into the German half became more frequent, culminating in Doan’s equaliser and a brilliant finish from Asano eight minutes later.

The defeat was the third in a row in the opening match of a major championship for Germany after a loss to Mexico at the 2018 World Cup, when they bowed out in the first round as champions, and to France at Euro 2020.

With Costa Rica and fellow World Cup holders Spain still to play, Germany now face an uphill battle to escape the Group of Death.

The Star