Takuma Asano was the hero as Japan came from behind to stun four-time champions Germany and open their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E campaign with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday. Germany dominated the opening half at the Khalifa International Stadium and went in front through an Ilkay Gundogan penalty just after the half-hour before substitute Ritsu Doan levelled with 15 minutes to play. And fellow substitute Asano then turned the game on its head with seven minutes remaining when he fired into the roof of the German net to secure a win for the ages on yet another historic day for Asian football in Qatar. Japan’s Maya Yoshida told BeIN Sports: “This is the beauty of football, sometimes it happens! Now the spotlight is on our side, it’s time to dance.” Japan have claimed their most famous result in FIFA World Cup history by coming from behind to beat the mighty Germans. This was the first time Japan have ever won a World Cup match after falling behind. Germany’s early exit from the World Cup, like in Russia 2018, now looms large. Sports page 1
