At the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday, Japan stunned four-time winners Germany 2-1. In another shocker for the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
A little more than 24 hours before Japan’s historic victory over the European superpower. Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday.
A goal by substitute Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano’s last-minute heroics helped the Asian champions Japan, upset the European heavyweights.
Ritu Doan (75th minute) and Takuma Asano scored two late goals for the Japanese squad, who, like the Saudis, rallied from being down a dream (83rd minute).
Iker Gundogan of Manchester City scored from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute to give the Germans a comfortable lead in the first half.
The Germans launched attack after attack in the game’s final minutes. After being shocked by the two late goals scored by the calm, four-time Asian champion Japan.
But Japan managed to win just their sixth World Cup game under intense pressure from Germany.
The shocking outcome was a rerun of their World Cup horror from last year. When they lost their opening match to Mexico as reigning champions. After another loss to South Korea, were doomed to an unprecedented group-stage elimination.
Germany appeared to be in complete control of the Group E match, but each missed opportunity left Japan with an open door. Japan showed little attack until a series of substitutions gave them some life in the second half.
Doan scored an equalizer in the 76th minute. Asano then displayed excellent control to score the game-winning goal from a tight angle, sending the Japan bench into a frenzy.