When Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup, the Real Madrid player was playing for his nation.
And the 64th minute incident was what really got folks talking.
Japan was down 1-0 and fought hard to get back in the game.
In the second half, manager Hajime Moriyasu substituted former Arsenal forward Takuma Asano in an effort to score a leveling goal.
Rudiger stopped Asano as he pursued a long, hopeful ball down the channel.
Rudiger, however, bizarrely jumped into his run as he galloped towards the touchline as opposed to shepherding the ball out of play as per standard procedure.
Fans noticed the former Chelsea star’s peculiar sprint as he ran back into place and grinned.
One wrote: “Wtf is rudiger doing.”
While a second tweeted: “Rudiger has got to be one of the weirdest players I’ve ever seen.”
A third asked: “What is blud doing?”
Another added: “Look at the way Rudiger runs how can you hate this guy.”
Japan DID equalise shortly after, with Ritsu Doan grabbing a deserved leveller just 15 minutes from time.
And they went in front in ꜱtunning fashion moments later, Asano somehow squeezing a brilliant shot beyond Manuel Neuer.
Germany pushed hard for an equaliser, Rudiger flashing a shot from range wide late on.
But Japan managed to hold on for a famous 2-1 victory.
Takuma Asano ꜱtunningly put Japan in front Credit: Reuters
Late goals ꜱtun Germany as Japan secures victory at 2022 FIFA World Cup
Japan scored two goals late in the second half as they snatched victory away from Germany with a 2-1 victory to open Group E action at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.
The loss marks Germany first loss after leading at the half since 1978 and the first time they lost after scoring the opening goal since 1994.
Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring for Germany in the 33rd minute on a penalty ƙicƙ after Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda took him down in the crease.
Japan came on strong in the second half and scored the equalizer in the 75th minute when winger Ristu Doan entered the match and scored the equalizer on an open net.
Forward Takuma Asano completed the Japan comeback in the 83rd minute when he roofed a shot on a partial break to give Japan the lead.
Gonda was key for Japan to keep them in the game highlighted in the 69th minute where he stopped four German chances in close to keep the game 1-0 Germany at the time.
Germany controlled the game in the first half with possession of the ball 75 per cent of the time and out shot Japan 14-1.
Japan came back strong in the second half as Germany’s possession rate dropped to 69 per cent and had 11 shots.
Japan thought they scored the first goal of the match in the eighth minute when forward Daizen Maeda ƅeat his defender and scored, but he was just a step offside negating the goal.
Germany almost doubled up their first half lead in stoppage time when midfielder Kai Havertz cleaned up a Serge Gnabry rebound but the play was ruled offside on VAR.
IT was the Mexicans waving them bye-bye four years ago.
And as a Mexican wave broke out here at Doha’s Khalifa Stadium, Germany may well be on the way to heading home early again thanks to Japan’s supersubs.
Japan secured a famous victory over Germany with a late rally Credit: EPA
Ritsu Doan fired the Japanese level just moments after coming off the bench Credit: Reuters
Takuma Asano then raced clear to fire Japan into the lead Credit: Reuters
That secured Japan the most famous victory in their World Cup history Credit: Getty
Germany and their fans could now be heading for another group stage exitCredit: Getty
Just after the half-hour mark, Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty gave Hansi Flick’s team the lead and they appeared to be coasting.
However, their Asian rivals fought back with two goals from replacements in eight minutes of the second half, the first coming from Ritsu Doan and the second coming from Takuma Asano.
Asano’s attempt will be remembered for its excellent handling of a long ball, dash into the area, and thunderous finish that past Manuel Neuer at his near post.
Germany finds itself in similar ground after losing to Mexico in their opening match and exiting the tournament at the group stage four years ago in Russia as the defending champions.
Given that 2010 champions Spain and Costa Rica are also in their group, recovering from this point might be quite difficult.
Joshua Kimmich, a midfielder, had mentioned the team’s “great determination” to make things right this time and the significance of winning the first game on Tuesday.
However, after a promising beginning, they are now in a dangerous situation and must figҺt a formidable uphill ƅattle to leave the group.
Before the game, Germany’s players staged a protest against Fifa because they were incensed by the threats of athletic penalties the world football governing body had used to intimidаte them into not donning a One Love rainbow armband.