Takuma Asano picked up a long ball in the 84th minute, and all by himself in the German box deked a defender and slotted home a shot from close in to give Japan the win. A shaken German team tried to get something going in the final minutes, plus seven added on, but despite a fair amount of frantic action around Japan’s goal, could not find the net.
Ritsu Doan had poked in a loose ball to bring Japan level at 1-1, with 75 minutes played. Takumi Minamino sent in a wicked cross that German keeper Manuel Neuer parried. But Doan was in the right place and easily scored. Both Minamino and Doan had just been subbed into the game.
A penalty kick by Ilkay Gündogan had given Germany a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute after Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda brought down David Raum.
Just about everyone had penciled in Germany and Spain to advance from Group E, with Japan and Costa Rica expected to make up the numbers. But Wednesday’s result turned the group on its head.
When posing for the traditional pregame photograph, the German players covered their mouths, an allusion to free speech, the national federation said. FIFA had prevented several European team captains, including Germany’s, from wearing armbands promoting gay rights by threatening them with yellow cards.