World Cup 2022 highlights: Japan stuns Germany 2-1

Updated Nov 23, 2022 12:10 pm EST

The 2022 FIFA World Cup continued Wednesday on FS1, as Japan defeated Germany 2-1. Earlier, Morocco and Croatia battled to a 0-0 draw.

This is the second straight tournament that Germany has lost its opening game in the World Cup and just the third time ever. Meanwhile, Japan picked up its sixth World Cup win, improving to 6-11-5 (W-L-D) all-time in World Cup matches.

You can watch every match of the tournament on the FOX Sports family of networks — the tournament's official English-language broadcast partner in the U.S. — and the FOX Sports app and FOXSports.com. You can also stream full-match replays for free on Tubi.

Here are the top plays from Wednesday's group stage action.

Germany vs. Japan

7': Brutal!

For a fleeting moment, it appeared Japan was going to take an early 1-0 lead, but a goal from forward Daizen Maeda was quickly ruled offside.

15': Close, but no cigar

Antonio Rudiger nearly had the first goal of the game, but the Germany defender's header was a bit to the right. 

31' - Germany strikes first

Germany took full advantage of a Japan transgression, as midfielder Ilkay Gundogan punched in the penalty kick.

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48': Late first-half score called off

After a VAR decision, forward Kai Havertz' goal was ruled offside for Germany, which took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

The Shuichi Gonda show

The Japan goalkeeper put together a series of remarkable saves to keep the score at 1-0.

74': TIE GAME

We got a good one on our hands. Midfielder Ritsu Doan got in front of a ricochet and hit home Japan's first goal of the match, evening it up at one apiece.

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82': NEW LEADER!

After a muted offensive performance, Japan has come to life late in the second half. Just minutes after scoring its first goal, forward Takuma Asano caught a pass down the right side of the field and knocked in Japan's second goal, giving it a 2-1 lead.

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Germany was unable to tally another goal, and we have another major upset, with Japan winning 2-1!

Check out the full schedule for the World Cup and how to watch each match live here.

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