DOHA, Qatar — The second-biggest upset of the 2022 World Cup so far was a product of soccer’s globalization.
Germany, a longtime superpower, bossed long stretches of its Wednesday opener here at the Khalifa International Stadium.
But in an exhilarating second half, the Germans were stunned and beaten by a brilliant Japan team that their own Bundesliga helped create.
Ritsu Doan, current employee of German club SC Freiburg, came off the bench to net a deserved equalizer in the 75th minute.
Takuma Asano, current employee of German club VfL Bochum, came off the bench to score an astounding winner, and earn a 2-1 victory.