THE SECOND UPSET OF THE WORLD CUP occurred today after plucky Japan battled back from 1-0 down to beat a well fancied Germany team 2-1 in Qatar.
Germany took the lead through a Ilkay Guendogan penalty in the first half and were well worth their lead going into the break.
An opening defeat 😧#GER #FIFAWorldCup #GERJPN 1-2 pic.twitter.com/5UVgotdRMn
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) November 23, 2022
In the second-half Germany created a number of chances via Serge Gnabry, Kai Havertz and co, but could not find the decisive second goal in the Group E clash.
Goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda made a mistake by bringing down David Raum in the first half for the penalty, but made up for it with a number of wonderful saves to deny Jonas Hofmann Serge Gnabry.
The game turned on its head when Manuel Neuer saved from former Liverpool player Takumi Minamino, but substitute Ritsu Doan stunned the Germans with the follow-up.
Japan were in dreamland and it would get better moments later when slack defending from Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle allowed Takuma Asano to race into acres of space from a long diagonal freekick.
The Bochum player and Schlotterbeck battled for the ball, but the Japanese player managed to slam the ball past Neuer from a tight angle to make it 2-1.
Seven added minutes went up on the board after full time, but Japan held on to record another huge upset at this year's World Cup.
This comes after Germany also lost their 2018 World Cup opener to Mexico.
Yesterday minnows Saudi Arabia beat giants Argentina 2-1 in one of the biggest shocks ever in World Cup history.
Germany and Spain will play each other next in Group E. That game starts at 7pm on Sunday.
Takuma Asano smashes the ball into the roof of the net to give Japan the lead over one of the competition's favourites to win 🎆#GER 1-2 #JPN
🎥 @itvfootball pic.twitter.com/wi2oWaON7g— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 23, 2022
See More: 2022 Qatar World Cup, Football, Germany, Japan
