Two second half goals secured a sensational World Cup win for underdogs Japan Takumi Minamino, Takuma Asano and Daizen Maeda of Japan celebrate at the end of the Group E match between Germany and Japan © Getty Images / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Just over 24 hours after Saudi Arabia stunned Lionel Messi and Argentina, the FIFA World Cup in Qatar has provided another seismic shock as outsiders Japan scored two late goals to clinch a sensational 2-1 win against Germany at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
The Germans, who protested FIFA’s decision to ban the wearing of anti-discrimination armbands ahead of kick-off, were in control for large spells of the game and appeared to be on course for three points in the Group E clash when Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan coolly slotted home a penalty just after the half-hour mark.
They missed a host of chances to extend their lead, including forcing Japan’s goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda into a fantastic double-save from Serge Gnabry and Jonas Hofmann, before substitute Ritsu Doan levelled the scoreline 15 minutes from time. (RT)