FIFA World Cup: Social Media Explodes With Reactions As Japan Stun Germany With Impressive Comeback Win

• Japan secured another massive upset at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup when the Blue Samurai stunned Germany
• Second-half goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano handed Germany a rude awakening in their opening group fixture
• Germany's shock loss is a repeat of what transpired in Russia 2018, when they lost their opener to Mexico and exited the group state as title holders

Japan took a leaf from the book of Saudi Arabia, as they shocked four-time world champions Germany on Wednesday, November 23 at the Khalifa International Stadium.

A spirited second-half display from the Asian powerhouse turned the game on its head, after going down to an Ilkay Gundogan first-half penalty.

Substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano's solitary strikes ensured the Blue Samurai picked their first win against Germany, as noted by CBS Sports.

Germany willl have to regroup and put in a much-improved performance against Spain in a make-or-break tie on Sunday, November 27, Al Jazeera reports.

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Social media users comment:

@Efiaodo1 tweeted:

"Saudi scored against Argentina, Japan scored against Germany, this season is a very dark one. Expect the unexpected."

@_pstu_ made a mockery of Germany's protest against FIFA's ban on the OneLove armband:

"If only Germany could cover their goal like they do their mouths."

@7Moiee argued Germany's shock defeat was a result of the team dabbling in off-the-field matters:

"When you think about things off the field, you lose football !"

Another user, @nsangong congratulated Japan for its mammoth feat:

"That's football with zero politics. Thank you, Japan."

@WeynJohn19 wrote:

"This is why football is the greatest sport on the planet."

Germany stage armband protest

The German national team have taken a stand against FIFA, following the world football governing body banning teams from using the OneLove armbands during World Cup games.

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FIFA had threatened captains would be cited if they wore the armbands, and further stated teams would be sanctioned if they ignored the ruling.

Teams like Germany, England and Denmark were just some sides planning to wear the armbands during their team games.

Japan shock Germany

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Japan stunned Germany 2-1 in their World Cup opener on Wednesday, punishing the four-time champions for not taking their chances.

The German team covered their mouths for the team photo before the match, in a powerful protest against FIFA's decision to ban rainbow-coloured armbands.

Hansi Flick's team came to Qatar under huge pressure to avoid the disaster of 2018, when they failed to make it out of the group stage as title holders in Russia.