The Samurai Blue Deliver an Unforgettable Comeback
What began as a seemingly routine match for Germany turned into one of the most memorable upsets in World Cup history, as Japan mounted a thrilling comeback to defeat the four-time champions 2-1 at the Khalifa Stadium.
As the final whistle blew, the 11 Japanese players were joined by their teammates in a euphoric celebration, marking their greatest ever World Cup victory. The win, fueled by the remarkable performances of substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano, left the German side reeling. Japan’s goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda was pivotal in preserving the lead, making a stunning quadruple save that kept Germany at bay.
Japan’s manager, Hajime Moriyasu, described the victory as “historical,” expressing his surprise at the result, while attributing part of the success to the influence of Germans in the development of Japanese football, noting the connections to past Bayern Munich managers. Germany, on the other hand, lamented their inefficiency despite controlling possession with 71% of the ball and registering 17 shots, only managing to score once. “They were more efficient today,” admitted Germany’s manager Hansi Flick, acknowledging his team’s failure to capitalize in both boxes.