Germany has been eliminated from the World Cup after a crazy last round in Group E. The eastern neighbors would probably have enough with a win over Costa Rica and succeeded in that setup (4-2), but in the end that turned out not to be enough. Because Japan managed to beat Spain on the other field, the tournament is already over for the Germans after the group stage.
The whole of Germany has been calling for a basic place for Leroy Sané in recent days. The Bayern Munich attacker came in very deservingly against Spain and was indeed rewarded by Hansi Flick with a spot in the first eleven for the all-determining encounter with Costa Rica. That team, where Bryan Ruiz again had to take a seat on the bench, started as usual with five defenders and mainly hoped for outbreaks. The Mannschaft immediately seized the initiative.
The neighbors wanted to get an early goal at all costs and it also fell. Before the start of the tenth minute, Leroy Sané headed a perfectly cut cross from David Raum’s left into the far corner and virtually helped Germany to second place in the group. Because Spain also took the lead against Japan moments later, the spoils seemed to be in early and that meant that Flick’s men were lulled to sleep. Except for Jamal Musiala, who continued to actively search for a goal, the Germans suddenly took it easy.
This is exactly the start that Germany wanted. An early goal, the cross is from left back Raum and Gnabry heads in.#COSDUI pic.twitter.com/AfyCS4xdKf
— NOS Football (@NOSfootball) December 1, 2022
Just before the break they almost got the lid on the nose, were it not for Manuel Neuer’s fabulous save to prevent Keysher Fuller from scoring in the one-on-one. The goalkeeper thus kept his team going and especially saved Antonio Rüdiger, who blundered in the run-up to that great opportunity for the Costa Ricans. At the beginning of the second half, the Germans were still presented with the bill, but from the Japanese. After all, they turned a 1-0 deficit against Spain into a 2-1 lead and pushed Germany from second place.
That meant that the 2014 world champion was suddenly dependent on Spain and would have to score a goal himself to stay in the race. That situation turned out to be grist to the mill of stiffly defending Costa Rica. That team waited quietly and after an hour of play even countered to 1-1. Yeltsin Tejeda headed in a rebound from close range after Joel Campbell bumped into Neuer, making the task even more difficult for Flick and his men.
Germany is also surprised in the second half. Yeltsin Tejeda puts Costa Roca in the rebound to 1-1. With these positions, Germany is at the bottom of the group and Costa Rica can continue with one more goal. Madhouse.#COSDUI #JAPSPA pic.twitter.com/wb9aTj7Lpt
— NOS Football (@NOSfootball) December 1, 2022
Immediately the attack was sought by Germany and that also had an effect. Chance after chance was played together and Keylor Navas, the goalkeeper of Costa Rica, saw a ball land next to him on the post three times. However, the madhouse was only really complete when the formation from Central America even took the lead via Juan Pablo Vargas. The substitute accidentally bumped into the ball after Neuer’s mistask and thus ensured that Costa Rica was virtually in the next round. Spain and Germany could then go home.
However, Flick’s team immediately hit back. Kai Havertz scored after a misunderstanding in the defense at Costa Rica (2-2), but Germany needed two more goals and help from Spain to continue. However, time ticked away and the situation became more and more dire for the eastern neighbors. Five minutes before the end, Havertz poked the 3-2 against the ropes after a sharp cross from Serge Gnabry and when Niclas Fullkrüg brought the margin to two just before time, Germany could only hope for a Spanish goal. However, it no longer fell and so the Germans go home for the second consecutive World Cup after the group stage.