2014 champions, Germany were not able to go beyond the group stage despite their 4 – 2 win over Costa Rica in their final Group E game at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Victory for Japan against Spain consigned Germany to third place, meaning the Germans exit the World Cup in the group stages for the second successive tournament.
For a moment Costa Rica dreamed of a place in the last 16, and for the briefest of time periods it was theirs. But Germany, in need of a win themselves, stepped things up and scored three decisive goals. But it wasn’t enough as Japan beat Spain meaning Germany are eliminated.
The Central Americans started rather meekly but grew into the game very well. They defended well in the first half and deserved their goals for a spirited performance.
Germany got a big scare when Costa Rica equalized Serge Gnabry’s goal and took the lead courtesy of Tejeda and Manuel Neuer’s own goal, but Havertz and Fullkrug showed why they should be starting when they climbed from the bench to score three goals for the former champions.
In the other game, Japan who started the competition with a come back win over Germany shocked the World again by coming back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory over Spain to top the group.
But with goal difference, Spain have also qualified to the next round despite finishing level with Germany who also had four points in the group.
LAST GROUP GAMES OF THE TOURNAMENT (DECEMBER 3, 2022 – THURSDAY):
GROUP G
Cameron vs Brazil – 7pm
Serbia vs Switzerland – 7pm
GROUP H
Ghana vs Uruguay – 3pm
Portugal vs South Korea – 3pm
