This Wednesday, Japan shone in the second big surprise at the 2022 World Cup, after Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina. The Japanese defeated Germany 2-1 in the first round of Group E, played in Doha.
The result turns out to be even more surprising, as at half-time the Germans had the advantage, thanks to a goal from midfielder Ilkay Gündogan in the conversion of a penalty kick, in the 33rd minute.
Gundoğan does not forgive a penalty #sporttvportugal #MUNDIALnaSPORTTV #FIFA world cup #Qatar2022 #sagres #Germany #Japan pic.twitter.com/jGv9jgH1B6
– SPORTTV (@SPORTTVPortugal) November 23, 2022
But the last quarter of the game was dramatic for Germany, as Ritsu Doan (75′) and Takuma Asano (83′) turned the score. Interestingly, they both play in the Bundesliga, Fribourg and Bochum and started the game as substitutes, having scored four and 26 minutes respectively after entering the field.
There are no loose ends in this World Cup!
⚽ Follow the entire World Cup on SPORT TV#sporttvportugal #MUNDIALnaSPORTTV #FIFA world cup #Qatar2022 #sagres #Germany #Japan pic.twitter.com/Ikt1FPxMJA
– SPORTTV (@SPORTTVPortugal) November 23, 2022
This was the third time Germany had lost in the first match of a World Cup, and in 1982 it was with Algeria (1-2), the finalist of the tournament, and in 2018 they were beaten by Mexico (0-1) and came not through the group stage. It should be noted that the Germans have lost six of the last nine games in the final phase of World Cups and European Championships.
SEE GAME STATISTICS HERE
Source: DN
