A late comeback by Japan left four-time winners Germany suffering a shock defeat in their opening World Cup game in Qatar.
Germany dominated a thrilling match for big spells but failed to capitalize on their pressure – before Japan left the Khalifa International Stadium with a mixture of celebration and surprise.
Substitute Takuma Asano squeezed in a superb strike from a tight angle to make it 2-1 against Japan and ran to the photographers in the corner of the stadium in jubilation.
There was a collective pause on the field as the ball dropped through the roof of the net before supporters realized it had gone in.
Manchester City’s Alke Gundogan put Germany ahead from the penalty spot in the first half, before Japan substitute Ritsu Doan equalized in the 75th minute.
The equalizer came after brilliant saves at each end – Japan’s Shuichi Gonda pulled off a double stop to deny Serge Gnabry and Jonas Hoffman, before Germany’s Manuel Neuer got a finger on Junya Eto’o’s effort. .
Germany, who were bottom of their group in Russia 2018, missed several chances to extend their lead when the score was 1-0.
They face tough opposition in Group E with 2010 winners Spain visiting on Sunday, then a final group match against Costa Rica.
Before kick-off, Germany’s players put their hands over their mouths during a team photo and a German government minister, Nancy Fizer, wore a OneLove armband in the stands.
It comes after news that the German Football Federation (DFB) is investigating whether it is legal for FIFA to threaten players in Qatar for wearing OneLove armbands.
The DFB later tweeted that human rights were “non-negotiable” and “we stand by our position”.
Japan celebrates memorable win as flashbacks for Germany
The sadness of Germany’s early exit from the World Cup in Russia cannot be forgotten as Hansi Flick’s side walked off the field at full-time after yet another defeat by Asian opposition.
Their supporters arrived with more hope than hope that their young stars would lead them into a new era.
Japan was unrelenting in energy and refused to give up despite overwhelming German spells.
At the opposite end of Gonda’s goal, there was a flurry of last-gasp anxiety from the Japan supporters as Germany’s Leon Gortzka shot wide and goalkeeper Neuer saved a dramatic equalizer with successive corners.
However, Japan held on and, as the final whistle blew, the players in the dugout ran onto the pitch to celebrate and flags were waved in the stands.
They caused problems for Germany in the first half as Celtic forward Dejan Maeda had a goal disallowed for offside, before Germany’s Kai Havertz also conceded a goal for the same reason.
Gundogan and Antonio Rudiger both missed the target with good chances in the first half, while midfielder Joshua Kimmich was twice denied by Gonda.
Gundogan coolly slotted home his penalty after David Raum was brought down by Gonda to give Germany a deserved lead, but they paid the price for their missed chances.
Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musyala beat four players in the box to blast an effort over the bar early in the second half, before Gortzka fired wide at the last minute.
