Germany out of World Cup despite six-goal Costa Rica win
Germany have been knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage for the second successive time despite a 4-2 win over Costa Rica, who are also eliminated from the Qatar tournament.
Die Mannschaft struck through Serge Gnabry, Kai Havertz (2) and Niclas Fullkrug at the Al Bayt Stadium, with the former putting his nation a goal to the good before Yeltsin Tejeda and Juan Pablo Vargas turned the tie on its head.
Havertz’s brace and Fullkrug’s tap-in meant that Germany did what was required of them, but Japan’s shock win over Spain saw the Asian nation qualify in first place from Group E, with La Roja pipping Germany to second spot on goal difference on a debilitating evening for the four-time champions.
As expected, Germany exploded out of the blocks at the Al Bayt Stadium, with Keylor Navas getting down low to keep out the effervescent Jamal Musiala in the third minute.
Thomas Muller then inexplicably headed wide after being picked out by Joshua Kimmich in the ninth minute, but one of his other Bayern Munich teammates showed him how it is done not long after.
With 10 minutes on the clock, Musiala released David Raum down the left, and the RB Leipzig defender crossed for Gnabry to head across goal into the far corner.
However, Germany and Costa Rica’s fates were sealed before the final whistle as Japan held on for victory over Spain, which confirmed their places in the knockout rounds at the expense of those at the Al Bayt Stadium.
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