Japan delivers the second upset at the 2022 World Cup after defeating Germany

Japan delivers the second upset at the 2022 World Cup after defeating Germany

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 delivers the second upset at the 2022 World Cup after defeating Germany

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.

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