Japan Inflict Defeat On Germany In Second Upset At The FIFA World Cup

Japan pulled off the second huge upset at the ongoing FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 comeback victory against four-time champions Germany on Wednesday.

Substitute Takuma Asano squeezed in a thumping strike from a tight angle to gift Japan the famous win and a winning start to the 2022 tournament.

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan had given the Germans a first half lead from the penalty spot and Kai Havertz saw a goal ruled out for offside just before the break.

Another Japan substitute, Ritsu Doan, equalised in the 75th minute to increase the tensions for Germany who had dominated the entire game with a lions share of possession.

Former Arsenal man Asano then sent the Japanese fans in the stadium into delirium after controlling the ball perfectly before smashing the ball past Manuel Neuer in goal.

Gundogan and Antonio Rudiger both missed the target with decent chances in the first half, while midfielder Joshua Kimmich was denied twice by Shuichi Gonda in the Japan goal.

The defeat is the second huge upset at the tournament after Saudi Arabia did the impossible by registering a 2-1 win against Argentina on Tuesday.

Germany, who finished bottom of their group in Russia in 2018, had missed several chances to extend their lead when the score was 1-0.

The loss brings back painful memories of a group stage exit in Russia and Hansi Flick's first game in charge was a forgettable one as they now face a tough challenge ahead.

They face stiff opposition in Group E with 2010 winners Spain to come on Sunday, then a final group game against Costa Rica.

-Story developing