Germany will now face stiff opposition in Group E with 2010 winners Spain to come on Sunday, then a final group game against Costa Rica
By Kehinde Okeowo
Japan produced the second upset of 2022 World Cup after coming from a goal down to beat Germany, in a match played at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
Prior to this, Saudi Arabia had stunned another tournament favourite, Argentina after their stand-in captain, Salem Al-Dawsari scored the match-winner.
Germany drew the first blood in the 33rd minute when the Japanese goalkeeper was adjudged to have tripped David Raum in the penalty box.
Ilkay Gundogan stepped up and sent Shuichi Gonda in Japan’s goal the wrong way, before slotting the ball in the middle of the net to make it 1-0 to Germany.
ALSO READ: Croatia, Morocco, end Group E clash in stalemate
Germany thought they had doubled their advantage 4 minutes into the additional time of half time when Kai Havertz put the ball at the net only to be ruled offside by VAR.
Ritsu Doan then found the net in the 75th minute to level the score for Japan, before Takuma Asano doubled their advantage after profiting from an assist from Ko Itakura to make it 2-1 to the Asian side
Germany, who finished bottom of their group in Russia in 2018, had missed several chances to extend their lead in the first half and paid dearly for it after the stunning late comeback from Japan.
‘Die Mannschaft‘ will now face stiff opposition in Group E with 2010 winners Spain to come on Sunday, then a final group game against Costa Rica.