World Cup 2022 – Germany 1 Japan 2 LIVE RESULT: Japan complete INCREDIBLE fight back to stun Germany

Huge challenge ahead for Germans

Germany sit bottom of the group, as they finished in 2018 in Russia, with a match against Spain next up.

Japan will play Costa Rica with a real chance of taking a step towards the round of 16 for only the second time in their history.

This win over Germany will love live in hearts of the Japanese people.

Inside the ground- full time analysis

Sun reporter Tom Barclay gives us his overview of that entertaining win for Japan:

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.

That included warming up in training kit with rainbows on the sleeves, having rainbows etched on their boots and covering up their mouths for the team picture to indicate how their planned show of support to the LGBTQ community had been silenced.

German interior minister Nancy Faeser also wore the One Love armband while sitting next to Fifa president Gianni Infantino up in the stands.

It really was one-way traffic in the first half, making the turnaround all the more remarkable. Japan only completed 62 passes, while untroubled German goalkeeper Neuer had 35.

Saying that, it was actually the Asian side who had the ball in the net first when striker Daizen Maeda emphatically finished off a rapid counter only to be ruled offside.

Kimmich and Gundogan were firing warning shots from distance before Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton, at 31, the tournament’s third youngest whistler, awarded a penalty against Shuichi Gonda, two years his senior for tripping David Raum and then falling on him for good measure.

It allowed Manchester City star Gundogan to coolly slot in his 17th goal for his country.

Kai Havertz thought he had doubled the lead just before the break - and minutes after the Mexican wave around the Khalifa Stadium - but he too had strayed offside.

England were dealt a blow last year when former Young Lion Jamal Musiala switched allegiances to play for Germany, the country of his birth.

The wonderkid, who went to the same private school in Croydon as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Danny Cipriani, went on a stunning mazy run at the start of the second half, beating three players but fired over the bar.

On the hour, Musiala squared to Gundogan who struck the base of the post with his shot.

Gonda went some way to making up for his penalty error by making FOUR saves in a matter of a seconds, three from Serge Gnabry and another from sub Jonas Hofmann.

Japan’s fans cranked up the noise in a bid to inspire their team and they would have had a leveller sooner were it not for Manuel Neuer’s brilliant stop to deny Junya Ito, before Hiroki Sakai blazed over.

Eventually the equaliser did come as ex-Liverpool man Takumi Minamino, who had just come on as a sub, saw his cross-shot palmed out by Neuer, only for Doan to find the net.

Eight minutes later, it got even better for Japan thanks to Asano’s moment of genius.

He masterfully controlled a routine long ball from defender Ko Itakura, managing to take it past Nico Schlotterbeck and race in on goal before burying it past Neuer at his near post.

It was a wonder goal worthy of winning any game - and one that has put four-time champions Germany in deep trouble already.

Japan surprise attack sinks Germany

At half time, Germany will have gone into the dressing room feeling comfortable with a one goal lead and some 80% possession.

They will have come out with the orders to get that second goal to give them some breathing space.

Japan certainly didn't read the script and still 1-0 down with fifteen minutes to go they landed their sucker punch on Hansi Flick's side.

Not content with a point, they go forward and get a second goal to condemn Germany to another opening game defeat.

What a moment for Japan, their will be some celebrations back home.

Germany 1-2 Japan

90+8. Germany have one final chance with a free kick out wide.

Even Manuel Neuer has come forward for this one.

The ball drops to the back post to Sule who looks to shoot but the shot is blocked for a German corner.

Germany 1-2 Japan

90+6. Neuer comes way out of his area to tidy up for Germany.

Time is running out for Hansi Flick's side.

Results like this are what we love about these tournaments.

Germany 1-2 Japan

90+4. Germany come forward again, desperate to create one more chance.

Japan are getting numbers behind the ball, looking to crowd the Germans out.

Rudiger shoots from some thirty yards out and the ball goes well wide.

Not sure I have ever seen the centre back score a goal from there.

Germany 1-2 Japan

90+2. The amount of time added onto these games makes about as much sense as the official attendances.

We are still waiting to hear today's but the ground holds 45,416 people officially so no doubt it will be around the 80,000 mark.

Japan hack the ball clear as a chance presents itself to Germany.

Germany 1-2 Japan

90. We are into the 90th minute now.

This is no library now as the Japanese fans come alive.

The fourth official has let us know there will be seven minutes of added time.

Germany 1-2 Japan

88. Japan are showing their anger as the referee waves away their claims of a penalty.

While there may have been contact, the player went down all too easily.

Germany continue to press.

Germany 1-2 Japan

86. The Japanese subs have changed the game today.

Brilliant management by Hajime Moriyasu.

Japan have never beaten Germany before, they need to try and hold on to what they have now.

Germany 1-2 Japan

84. The pressure is on Germany now.

Only six minutes remain on the clock.

They find themselves a goal behind with Spain to play next.

German 1-1 Japan

82. It is hard to think of another time that Germany have been so disrupted and troubled as a result of a Japanese offensive.

Japan have a chance to really hurt Germany here.

They come forward once again.

Germany 1-1 Japan

80. Hansi Flick does not looked like a man phased by his side's situation.

Corner comes in and is met by Rudiger but he turns his head away from goal and heads it over off the back of his head.

Japan look fresh in the attacking third, this could be a problem for Germany in these final ten minutes or so of the game.

Germany 1-1 Japan

78. Havertz and Musiala come off.

Gotze and Fullkrug come on for Germany.

Last throw of the dice for the four-time world champions.

Germany 1-1 Japan

76. Unbelievable Jeff.

The three substitutes combine as Minamino crosses the ball.

Doan is first to the cross and hammers it into the net.

Germany pay the ultimate price for not putting this game to bed.

Germany 1-0 Japan - Neuer saves

74. The ball is crossed into the box and Ito takes it down on his chest and unleashes a shot at goal that forces a world-class save from Neuer.

The ball drops to a Japanese player only six yards from goal, with the keeper still on the ground.

Unbelievably he smashes it over the bar.

Germany 1-0 Japan

72. Japan look set to make another change.

In the meantime, Germany work the ball all the way back to Neuer with no attacking options on.

Japan are getting stuck into the tackles more now.

Germany 1-0 Japan

70. It will be interesting to see how much Japan want to try and get something out of this game.

The more risks they take, they open themselves up to Germany adding more goals.

A heavy defeat in your opening game can make qualification very difficult.

Gnabry has two chances in front of goal but Gonda makes up for earlier two great saves.

Germany 1-0 Japan

68. Muller and Gundogan come off for Germany.

They are replaced by Goretzka and Hofmann.

Japan are still trying to play football in their pursuit of an equaliser.

Germany 1-0 Japan

66. Germany look ready to bring on some subs.

Japan come forward, looking to spread the ball out wide as soon as the situation presents itself.

The cross is blocked and wins Japan a corner.

Germany 1-0 Japan

64. Musiala seems some player for sure.

He is the one that got away for England, let's hope he doesn't come back to haunt them in the tournament.

With under half an hour left, we still have a game on our hands here.