Japan supporters clean the stands at the end of the World Cup👍

Japan supporters clean the stands at the end of the World Cup

Japan supporters clean the stands at the end of the World Cup group E soccer match between Germany and Japan, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Japan won 2-1. 

👉Goals from substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano in the last 15 minutes gave Japan a stunning 2-1 upset over four-times champions Germany in their World Cup Group E opener on Wednesday. 

The Germans had dominated the contest at the Khalifa International Stadium and taken the lead with a 33rd minute penalty from Ilkay Gundogan after Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda had fouled wing back David Raum. 

The second goal never came, however, and Japan's raids into the German half became more and more frequent, culminating in Doan's equalizer and a brilliant finish from Asano eight minutes later. 

The defeat was the third in a row in the opening match of a major championship for Germany after a loss to Mexico at the 2018 World Cup, when they bowed out in the first round as champions, and to France at Euro 2020. 

Croatia, runners-up at the last World Cup, were held to a 0-0 draw by Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday in their opening Group F match.