Australia produced a startling late comeback to come from behind to beat Japan 3-1 in the blistering heat of Kaiserslautern.
Shunsuke Nakamura's controversial opener after 26 minutes looked to have given Japan a crucial Group F win at the Fritz Walter Stadion.
However, Australia came storming back and substitute Tim Cahill popped up with two goals in the final six minutes to turn the match on its head and stun the Japanese.
A dramatic finale also should have seen Cahill give away a penalty, but John Aloisi bagged a third for Australia in what was a thrilling way for Guus Hiddink's men to claim the country's first goals and first ever victory in the World Cup finals.
The game started at a lively pace considering the sweltering conditions, and it was soon evident that both sides had come determined to attack, with Hidetoshi Nakata hitting the wall with his free kick inside the first minute.
Mark Viduka looked dangerous from the off and he forced Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi into a double save when he could only parry a left-footed effort from a tight angle, before deflecting the rebound from the Middlesbrough man over the bar.
The main attacking threat was coming from the Aussies, but Japan also looked lively on the break and Naohiro Takahara fired a low shot just wide of the post after another energetic break after 20 minutes.
Viduka was at the heart of all Australia's attacking and his backheel was perfectly weighted for the arriving Marco Bresciano at the edge of the box, but his stabbed effort was saved smartly by Kawaguchi.
The breakthrough came in controversial circumstances in the 26th minute, when Nakamura's floated cross sneaked into the net over Mark Schwarzer, as he failed to come through a crowd of players to collect the ball.
The Aussies were furious as Schwarzer looked to have been impeded by Takahara and Atsushi Yanagisawa, but Egyptian referee Esam Abd El Fatah was satisfied there was no free kick and gave the goal.
An instant riposte almost came within a minute as Harry Kewell marched forward before thumping a powerful shot which clipped the crossbar with Kawaguchi beaten.
Yanagisawa had been a bundle of energy all half and nearly capped his all-action display with a goal but he dragged his shot wide after scampering into the box.
Schwarzer nearly had another moment to forget on the hour when his headed clearance went straight to Takahara, but he took too long to get a shot in and it was blocked and cleared from danger.
Hiddink brought on tall striker Josh Kennedy and he wasted a great chance from a corner when planting a free header well wide of the target.
The substitute then earned a free kick in the 68th minute right on the edge of the box and Viduka's thunderous low drive was superbly kept out by Kawaguchi, who showed great reflexes to get down quickly and turn the ball away.
Australia kept knocking on the door as Japan were forced to retreat under the pressure of the green and gold attack, with Aloisi making it three muscular forwards up front for the Aussies.
Japan started to look weary in the heat and forwards Takahara and Yanagisawa wasted a couple of glorious chances on the counter attack as Australia left gaping holes at the back, with their tired legs not able to make the most of the chances.
With seven minutes left Kawaguchi again came to Japan's rescue as he beat away Aloisi's screaming free kick from just outside the box.
The Japanese goalkeeper quickly went from hero to villain though as he got nowhere near Lucas Neill's long throw a minute later and when the ball dropped to Cahill he threaded his shot through the crowd to draw the Aussies level.
Cahill could have also had a reversal of fortunes when he scythed down Teruyuki Moniwa inside his own box moments later, but the referee somehow did not give a penalty.
With just a minute left Cahill completed a remarkable substitute appearance when, after being given too much time and space at the edge of the box, he spanked the ball past Kawaguchi off both posts.
Takashi Fukunishi almost pulled Japan level in the final minute but he could only fire wide from a great position just inside the box.
Australia capped a superb comeback in stoppage time when Aloisi walked through some desperately tired Japanese defending before finishing well to make it 3-1.
Shunsuke Nakamura's controversial opener after 26 minutes looked to have given Japan a crucial Group F win at the Fritz Walter Stadion.
However, Australia came storming back and substitute Tim Cahill popped up with two goals in the final six minutes to turn the match on its head and stun the Japanese.
A dramatic finale also should have seen Cahill give away a penalty, but John Aloisi bagged a third for Australia in what was a thrilling way for Guus Hiddink's men to claim the country's first goals and first ever victory in the World Cup finals.
The game started at a lively pace considering the sweltering conditions, and it was soon evident that both sides had come determined to attack, with Hidetoshi Nakata hitting the wall with his free kick inside the first minute.
Mark Viduka looked dangerous from the off and he forced Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi into a double save when he could only parry a left-footed effort from a tight angle, before deflecting the rebound from the Middlesbrough man over the bar.
The main attacking threat was coming from the Aussies, but Japan also looked lively on the break and Naohiro Takahara fired a low shot just wide of the post after another energetic break after 20 minutes.
Viduka was at the heart of all Australia's attacking and his backheel was perfectly weighted for the arriving Marco Bresciano at the edge of the box, but his stabbed effort was saved smartly by Kawaguchi.
The breakthrough came in controversial circumstances in the 26th minute, when Nakamura's floated cross sneaked into the net over Mark Schwarzer, as he failed to come through a crowd of players to collect the ball.
The Aussies were furious as Schwarzer looked to have been impeded by Takahara and Atsushi Yanagisawa, but Egyptian referee Esam Abd El Fatah was satisfied there was no free kick and gave the goal.
An instant riposte almost came within a minute as Harry Kewell marched forward before thumping a powerful shot which clipped the crossbar with Kawaguchi beaten.
Yanagisawa had been a bundle of energy all half and nearly capped his all-action display with a goal but he dragged his shot wide after scampering into the box.
Schwarzer nearly had another moment to forget on the hour when his headed clearance went straight to Takahara, but he took too long to get a shot in and it was blocked and cleared from danger.
Hiddink brought on tall striker Josh Kennedy and he wasted a great chance from a corner when planting a free header well wide of the target.
The substitute then earned a free kick in the 68th minute right on the edge of the box and Viduka's thunderous low drive was superbly kept out by Kawaguchi, who showed great reflexes to get down quickly and turn the ball away.
Australia kept knocking on the door as Japan were forced to retreat under the pressure of the green and gold attack, with Aloisi making it three muscular forwards up front for the Aussies.
Japan started to look weary in the heat and forwards Takahara and Yanagisawa wasted a couple of glorious chances on the counter attack as Australia left gaping holes at the back, with their tired legs not able to make the most of the chances.
With seven minutes left Kawaguchi again came to Japan's rescue as he beat away Aloisi's screaming free kick from just outside the box.
The Japanese goalkeeper quickly went from hero to villain though as he got nowhere near Lucas Neill's long throw a minute later and when the ball dropped to Cahill he threaded his shot through the crowd to draw the Aussies level.
Cahill could have also had a reversal of fortunes when he scythed down Teruyuki Moniwa inside his own box moments later, but the referee somehow did not give a penalty.
With just a minute left Cahill completed a remarkable substitute appearance when, after being given too much time and space at the edge of the box, he spanked the ball past Kawaguchi off both posts.
Takashi Fukunishi almost pulled Japan level in the final minute but he could only fire wide from a great position just inside the box.
Australia capped a superb comeback in stoppage time when Aloisi walked through some desperately tired Japanese defending before finishing well to make it 3-1.
