Germany beat Costa Rica but crash out of World Cup

Mueez Ajao

– Germany crashed out of the World Cup on a remarkable night of drama despite victory over Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium.

– Japan’s 2-1 win against Spain – which saw them finish top of Group E – would have eliminated Germany anyway thanks to Spain’s superior goal difference.

– Hansi Flick’s side needed victory to give themselves any chance of reaching the last 16, but it was to no avail.

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– Germany were in complete control and led through Serge Gnabry’s 10th-minute header only for Costa Rica to turn the match on its head to raise the remarkable possibility of Spain also going out.

– Yeltsin Tejeda equalised after Germany keeper Manuel Neuer pushed out Kendall Waston’s header in the 58th minute, before Juan Pablo Vargas bundled in a second 12 minutes later. At that stage, they were going through with Japan.

– It would have capped one of the most astonishing nights in World Cup history, but Germany substitute Kai Havertz restored a measure of normality to proceedings with two clinical finishes. Niclas Fullkrug’s last-minute effort gave Flick’s side a win that was no consolation as they failed to get out of the group stage for the second successive World Cup.