Japan notched a stunning upset at the ongoing 2022 World Cup, after coming from behind to beat favorites, Germany, 2-1.
The Asian national team had never beaten their European opponents in previous encounters, but they capitalized on the German team’s errors and missed chances to secure a famous victory in the first game of Group E.
Germany took the lead in the first half after Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan coolly scored from a penalty spot.
Goals from two Japanese stars plying their trade in the Bundesliga, Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano, were enough to give them the much-needed three points from the match.
Japan was reinvigorated in the second half, with Coach Hajime Moriyasu freshening things up with a number of attacking changes which ultimately paid off.
Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had made one brilliant point-blank save to keep his team in front, but when he denied Taki Minamino a goal from close range, the ball fell kindly for Doan, who couldn’t miss from six yards in the 75th minute.
Eight minutes later, Asano fired a rocket into the roof of the net to secure a stunning comeback win for a side that managed just 26 percent possession.
Japan’s win is coming barely 24 hours after Saudi Arabia also came from behind to defeat Argentina 2-1. Argentina also took the lead in the first half from a penalty kick, but the Saudis responded with two goals in the second half.
