It was the Mexicans waving them bye-bye four years ago.
And as a Mexican wave broke out here at Doha’s Khalifa Stadium, Germany may well be on the way to heading home early again thanks to Japan’s supersubs.
Hansi Flick’s side looked to be cruising when Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty put them ahead just after the half hour.
But their Asian opponents hit back with two goals from substitutes in eight second-half minutes, first through Ritsu Doan and then a stunner from Takuma Asano.
Asano’s effort will go down in World Cup history as he brilliantly controlled a long ball, sped into the area and beat Manuel Neuer at his near post with a thumping finish.
It leaves Germany in familiar territory, having crashed out at the group stage four years ago in Russia as reigning champions having lost their opening game to Mexico.
Recovering from here could be very tricky given 2010 champions Spain are also in their group, along with Costa Rica.
Midfielder Joshua Kimmich had spoken on Tuesday of the team’s “huge motivation” to put things right this time and the importance of winning the first game.
Yet despite starting so well, they are now in an equally perilous position and face a massive uphill battle to get out of the group.
Germany’s players protested against Fifa ahead of the game, outraged by the pressure the world football governing body had put on them not to wear a One Love rainbow armband via threats of sporting sanctions.
JAPANDEMONIUM Germany 1 Japan 2: Another huge World Cup shock as brilliant Japanese stun one of the favourites in famous win
The Sun
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20523602/germany-1-japan-2-world-cup-shock/
It was the Mexicans waving them bye-bye four years ago.
And as a Mexican wave broke out here at Doha’s Khalifa Stadium, Germany may well be on the way to heading home early again thanks to Japan’s supersubs.
Hansi Flick’s side looked to be cruising when Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty put them ahead just after the half hour.
But their Asian opponents hit back with two goals from substitutes in eight second-half minutes, first through Ritsu Doan and then a stunner from Takuma Asano.
Asano’s effort will go down in World Cup history as he brilliantly controlled a long ball, sped into the area and beat Manuel Neuer at his near post with a thumping finish.
It leaves Germany in familiar territory, having crashed out at the group stage four years ago in Russia as reigning champions having lost their opening game to Mexico.
Recovering from here could be very tricky given 2010 champions Spain are also in their group, along with Costa Rica.
Midfielder Joshua Kimmich had spoken on Tuesday of the team’s “huge motivation” to put things right this time and the importance of winning the first game.
Yet despite starting so well, they are now in an equally perilous position and face a massive uphill battle to get out of the group.
Germany’s players protested against Fifa ahead of the game, outraged by the pressure the world football governing body had put on them not to wear a One Love rainbow armband via threats of sporting sanctions.
JAPANDEMONIUM
by Mr. Big
https://youtu.be/vS-kVmm6Azc