Delhi, India:A shocking end for European stalwart Germany as they crashed out of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in the gathering stage on Friday.After experiencing a similar outcome at the previous tournament in Russia, this was their second consecutive group stage exit.
Japan rallied from a goal down to defeat Spain 2-1 in the other Group E match to advance to the round of 16 as group champions. Germany won their final group game, a thrilling 4-2 victory over Costa Rica, but it was not enough for them to advance.Despite losing, Spain advanced to the next round thanks to a higher goal differential than Germany, which finished with four points.Germany eliminated Costa Rica, leaving the group stage with three points.
Germany were at the bottom of the table prior to the game against Costa Rica and needed every possible combination and permutation to work in their favor to advance into the knockout stage after losing to Japan in their first opening game.However, it did not occur.Indeed, even a draw among Japan and Spain would have been enough for the four-time champions Germany, however with the Asian side enlisting their subsequent bombshell win it was the stopping point for them.
To keep themselves alive in the race, Germany took an early lead in the 10th minute and held it to the halftime break.In the second half, Costa Rica, who was also in the race and needed to win, scored an equalizer in the 58th minute before keeper Manuel Neuer took a surprise lead in the 70th minute with an own goal.
A six-goal thriller for #CRC and #GER@adidasfootball to end Group E — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) 1669928194000 Germany quickly regained the lead when substitute Kai Havertz scored two quick goals in the 73rd and 85th minutes, respectively.With a goal in the 89th minute, another substitute named Niclas Fullkrug increased the advantage to 4-2.However, prior to the conclusion of the match, the shocking news of Japan's victory broke, causing disappointment among German players and fans inside the Al Bayt stadium.
On a night of unrelenting drama in the desert near Doha, the Germans scored first in the 10th minute through Serge Gnabry. However, the Central Americans responded with goals from Yeltsin Tejeda and Juan Pablo Vargas twice before Kai Havertz scored twice to put them back in control.
Niclas Fuellkrug, a fellow substitute, added a fourth in the final minute, but it was in vain because Spain advanced with a higher goal difference.
Germany failed to win any of their first two group matches for the first time in their illustrious World Cup history, and despite winning on their final attempt, they will be leaving Qatar with their heads down.
We will never forget you, Group E.#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) 1669928770000 Before the game, they were on the verge of elimination after drawing 1-1 with Spain and losing their first group match to Japan.
Germany, with seven Bayern Munich players in their lineup, charged forward from the start in search of an early goal to settle their nerves, needing only to win to avoid repeating their shocking World Cup first round exit in 2018.
In the second minute, Jamal Musiala tested Keylor Navas with a low shot after cutting in from the left and entering the box.
At first, it was all one way, and Thomas Mueller, who was unmarked, should have done much better when Joshua Kimmich picked him out, but he couldn't keep his header on target.
However, the four-time champions went ahead in the 10th minute when Gnabry scored with a glancing header.
Wow, what a night!FIFA World Cup | #Qatar2022 — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) 1669930423000 Costa Rica, which needed at least a point to advance, rarely crossed into the German half and only held about 25% of the ball for the first 45 minutes.
Teenager Musiala repeatedly challenged the entire Costa Rican defense as Germany attempted to make up for their poor tournament start.
The chances kept coming, but the Germans struggled to convert them, just like they did in the game against Japan.
They were nearly rebuffed when Keysher Fuller profited from a twofold cautious goof yet his shot was tipped over the bar by guardian Manuel Neuer, who turned into a World Cup record holder for goalkeepers with his nineteenth appearance.
Germany became anxious when Musiala twice hit the post early in the second half as the group standings flashed on the Al Bayt stadium's big screen.
However, 13 minutes after the game started, Tejeda smashed the ball past Neuer on the rebound after first preventing a Kendall Waston header.
In the 70th minute, Vargas fumbled the ball over the line to put them ahead.
Havertz, a substitute, scored twice in 12 minutes, and Fuellkrug added another in the final minute, but it was too little, too late, and Spain won the game thanks to their superior goal difference.