Fifa World Cup 2022: Japan stun Germany 2-1 in another huge Qatar upset
- Goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano in last 15 minutes secure stunning upset over four-time champions in Group E opener
- Defeat is third in a row in the opening match of a major championship for Germany, who covered their mouths for team photo in protest at a ban on rainbow armbands
Japan stunned Germany 2-1 in their World Cup opener on Wednesday, punishing the four-time champions for not taking their chances after they dominated the first half.
The German team covered their mouths for the team photo before the match in a powerful protest against Fifa’s decision to ban rainbow-themed armbands.
Germany came to Qatar under huge pressure to avoid the disaster of 2018, when they failed to make it out of the group stage in Russia as World Cup holders.
Hansi Flick’s side took the lead through a first-half penalty from Ilkay Gundogan and should have been out of sight after creating a host of chances.
But Japan hung on and equalised through substitute Ritsu Doan in the 75th minute.
Takuma Asano then completed a remarkable turnaround eight minutes later, smashing the ball home to send the Japanese bench and their boisterous fans wild.
To add to the storyline, both Doan and Asano play in the German Bundesliga.