Germany defeat Costa Rica (Twitter - @FIFAWorldCup)
Germany have failed to progress to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage in Qatar despite defeating Costa Rica 4-2 in a belter of a match at Al Bayt Stadium.
In stunning fashion, Germany, the 2014 World Cup champions have been eliminated from the tournament in the group stages for the second tournament in a row. The Germans at minimum needed a win to keep their hopes alive but thanks to some Group E mayhem with Japan defeating Spain 2-1, those hopes were dashed.
In a drama filled match, it started very well for Germany who only took until the 10th minute to hit the scoreboard thanks to Serge Gnabry’s header. The Germans were set on their way for an easy three points and the chance at a Round of 16 spot.
Complacency set into Germany’s game and Costa Rica decided to pounce providing some entertaining attacking plays. Eventually, two second-half goals from Yeltsin Tejeda in the 58th minute and Juan Pablo Vargas in the 70th remarkably put Costa Rica in pole position and raised the incredible possibility of Germany going out.
More Football News:
FIFA World Cup 2022: Tense 0-0 draw sees Croatia edge Belgium out of tournament
FIFA World Cup 2022: Morocco advance to knockout stages with clinical win over Canada
FIFA World Cup 2022: Relentless Argentina tops Group C with dominant win
But the drama did not end there. Hansi Flick made some game changing substitutes which allowed the Germans to pull the momentum back into their favour. Substitute Kai Havertz turned the game around again with a well-taken double in the 73rd & 85th minute before fellow substitute Niclas Fullkrug made it 4-2 in the 89th minute.
In front of 67,000 people at Al Bayt Stadium, Hansi Flick’s men came from behind to win 4-2. The victory was not enough though as Germany finished third in Group E, with Spain and Japan above them. Goal difference proving to be the difference for Germany who only scored one point in their first two matches of the group stage.
A disappointing end to a campaign that many thought Germany would bounce back in after their performance in the 2018 World Cup.
Japan finished top of Group E with six points, meaning they will face Group F runners-up Croatia. Spain finish second on four points, ahead of Germany on goal difference, and will face Group F winners Morocco in the last 16.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
About Author
