Iran Press/ Middle East: Takuma Asano scored an 83rd-minute winner as Japan stunned four-time world champions Germany 2-1 in their opening match of the World Cup 2022.
Germany led through Ilkay Gundogan’s 33rd-minute penalty at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
However, Japan hit back in quick succession, first through Ritsu Doan’s equaliser and then Asano’s late goal, to seal a historic win that came just a day after Saudi Arabia shocked Argentina.
With the loss, Germany, who were knocked out in the group stages in 2018 as reigning champions, must now fear a second straight early exit.
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Japan go top of Group E which also features Spain and Costa Rica who meet later on Wednesday.
Germany are bottom for now. They lost their opener as in 2018 – 1-0 against Mexico – and went on to exit in the group stage as title holders.
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