Following the surprise of Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Japan won a come-from-behind victory over Germany, the 'Tank Corps'.
On the 23rd (Korean time), in the first match of group E held at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Japan gave Germany the lead, but scored two goals in the second half to become the first team in Group E to collect three points. .
Group E is called the 'Group of Death' as it includes Germany, as well as Spain ranked 7th in the FIFA rankings, Japan ranked 24th, and Costa Rica ranked 31st.
After losing to Japan, Germany faced a crisis of not seeing progress to the round of 16 if they add even one loss in the remaining matches against Spain and Costa Rica.
After Ilkay Gundogan scored the opening goal with a PK (penalty kick) in the 33rd minute of the first half, Germany maintained an overwhelming possession and continued the offensive.
However, a series of inbound shots were blocked by Japan's goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda or missed the goal, failing to score additional points.
The frustrating game management from Germany's point of view continued until the middle of the second half.
On the other hand, Japan launched a more active counterattack than in the first half.
Eventually, in the 30th minute of the second half, Minamino Takumi's shot was again blocked by Neuer, and Doan Ritsu ran from the right side of the goal area with a second ball and finished it with his left foot to equalize.
In the 38th minute of the second half, 8 minutes later, Takuma Asano, who received a long ball from Itakura Go, broke through the right side of the penalty area and turned the tide with a strong right-footed shot.
In the second half of the second half, in the extra time free kick situation, goalkeeper Neuer went all the way to the Japanese penalty box to join the attack, but failed to recover.