Germany are out of the World Cup at the group stage – just like four years ago! Thanks to their earlier defeat to Japan, and Spain’s failure to avoid defeat against the Samurai, Germany crashed out of the tournament despite beating Costa Rica 4-2 in a highly entertaining match.It all started the way the German fans wanted. Serge Gnabry scored a fine header to give his team the lead with just ten minutes on the clock. As soon as the ball hit the back of the net, the Ivorian-German picked it up and carried to the centre. The Germans knew they would be guaranteed a place in the second round if they won 7-0 tonight. The start was good enough. But it was anything but straightforward in the remainder of this game.Germany exit the World Cup at the group stage for the second tournament running 😬 pic.twitter.com/D4WsYBpUAf— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 1, 2022 Manuel Neuer couldn’t hold Kendall Waston’s effort and Yeltsin Tejeda was on hand to smash in the equaliser.Jamal Musiala came close to putting Germany back in front but he only managed to hit the post of Keylor Navas’ goal. Not just once, but twice!But there was another goal on the other end.Juan Pablo Vargas bundled the ball over the line as just about all players crammed into the German box. There was a VAR check for a potential foul, but the goal stood. Sensationally, Costa Rica were ahead – and Germany were staring into the abyss.It was a time for the Germans to show their quality and character or to go home. Hansi Flick had a guy called Kai Havertz on the bench. The Chelsea forward scored two goals after well-worked German moves.Niklas Fullkrug scored another on the stroke of 90 minutes – but it proved to be in vain.The Germans didn’t depend on their result alone. Since they didn’t win 7-0, they needed Spain not to lose in their match against Japan. But even though the Spanish took the lead early on, they conceded two goals in just 142 seconds to turn the match around and get their foot in the door for a place in the knockout round. Spain and Japan were holding the top two spots – and Spain didn’t look all too bothered about it.JAPAN FINISH 1ST 🇯🇵SPAIN FINISH 2ND 🇪🇸GERMANY ARE ELIMINATED ❌#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/jwswf1n3MA— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) December 1, 2022 All eyes were on Spain. In the end, Germans needed Luis Enrique’s team to do them a favour – a favour that never came.Japan and Spain are in the knockouts – Germany and Costa Rica go home.The victory for Japan sent them top of Group E and through to a clash with Croatia. Spain advance as runners-up ahead of Germany, who beat Costa Rica 4-2 in the other game, on goal difference. Spain will play Morocco in the next round.WORLD CUP Group stageThursday, Dec 1stCanada – Morocco 1-2 (1-2)/Aguerd 40 og – Ziyach 4, En Nesyri 23/Croatia – Belgium 0-0Costa Rica – Germany 2-4 (0-1)/Tejeda 58, Vargas 70 – Gnabry 10, Havertz 73, 85, Fullkrug 90+1/Japan – Spain 2-1 (0-1)/Doan 48, Tanaka 51 – Morata 11/Friday, Dec 2nd18:00: (8.00) S.Korea (4.50) Portugal (1.42) H18:00: (4.80) Ghana (3.45) Uruguay (1.80) H22:00: (11.0) Cameroon (5.20) Brazil (1.30) G22:00: (2.60) Serbia (3.40) Switzerland (2.70) G***odds are subject to change***
