Japan scored two goals in eight minutes to stun Germany and seal a 2-1 victory in their Group E World Cup clash.
Japan score twice in eight minutes to comebackBoth goals by substitutesGermany lost two World Cup openers in a row
WHAT HAPPENED? Japan’s first goal came after Takumi Minanmino, formerly of Liverpool fizzed a ball across the box, which Manuel Neuer only managed to parry away into the path of Ritsu Doan. He had only been on for four minutes and slammed home to level the scores.
RITSU DOAN DRAWS JAPAN LEVEL WITH GERMANY ???#ITVFootball | #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/b4xExi5hJX
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 23, 2022
Four minutes after coming on, Ritsu Doan fires home the rebound to level the match!#FIFAWorldCup | #JPN pic.twitter.com/VEHaAG5N65
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 23, 2022
Japan’s second came from a ball over the top, which another substitute Takuma Asano raced onto before slamming the ball into the roof of the German net. The Japanese bench went wild and raced down the touchline to celebrate.
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The touch ?
The finish ?
Japan are BEATING Germany thanks to Takuma Asano ? pic.twitter.com/9emat3vyB2
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 23, 2022
What a touch by Takuma Asano. ?#FIFAWorldCup | #JPN
(via @TelemundoSports)pic.twitter.com/dwGQk6DDq1
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 23, 2022
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Germany have now lost their last two opening World Cup fixtures, having lost 1-0 to Mexico in 2018. They now face another uphill battle to get out of their 2022 group alongside European giants Spain.
<img src="” title=”WATCH: Germany shell-shocked! Doan & Asano seal incredible Japan comeback” />
