JAPAN left it late but they made it great as their 2-1 win over Germany provided the perfect after-shock following Argentina’s loss to Saudi Arabia a day earlier.

Speed and stamina were the perfect foil to the Germans’ precision and organisation, especially as the game wore on.

Rudiger and Kimmich – the latter a stunning shot from long range – came close midway through the first stanza.

Germany, as they historically have done, invaded enemy territory on a regular basis and it came as no surprise when panicky defence saw Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda bring down David Raum, with Ilkay Gundogan reaping the reward by converting the spot kick.

It was just reward for the German dominance and the win looked in the bag, to the point where two strikers were substituted for two defenders, to protect what looked like an impregnable lead.

A disallowed offside goal and a shot against the post underlined the German dominance, while Gonda redeemed himself with a fantastic save to keep the score at 1-0.

The outcome seemed assured, but the super fit Japanese upped the pace, forcing Manuel Neuer into two successive saves.

It was a sign of things to come and the underdogs scored twice in a late surge that turned the game on its head.

After Neuer fended off Takumi Minamino’s cross, Ritsu Doan latched onto the ball and steered it home from close range (1-1).

The hysterical Japanese fans’ celebrations were still echoing around the stadium when the impossible happened.

Takuma Asano controlled a long through ball, held off the defender and rammed it into the back of the net past Neuer, who would have been embarrassed to be beaten at his near post.

But beaten he was, and Japan’s greatest triumph became Germany’s humiliation as the 2-1 score will be written in the records and etched into the hearts of the Samurai Blue brigade for perpetuity.