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Japan shocks Germany with two late goals during the World Cup.
In their World Cup Group E opener on Wednesday, Japan stunned Germany by scoring two.
Japan stunned four-time champions Germany 2-1 in their World Cup Group E opener on Wednesday, thanks to goals from substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano in the final 15 minutes.
At the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan gave Germany the lead with a penalty in the 33rd minute, while forward Kai Havertz had the ball in the net just before halftime but the goal was disallowed for offside.
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But the second goal never materialized, as Japan continued to make regular forays into the German half, which led to Doan’s equalizer and an outstanding strike from Asano eight minutes later.
Germany is competing in its first World Cup under the direction of Hansi Flick, and the team is looking for atonement after an unexpected group-stage loss in Russia in 2018.
After losses to Mexico at the 2018 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the first round as champions, and to France at Euro 2020, Germany’s loss to France was their third straight loss in the opening game of a major championship.