The game: 4-2
More in control of its destiny at kick-off, Germany experienced a new nightmare evening at the World Cup. Four years after the fiasco of 2018, the Germans are again eliminated from the group stage despite their mad success against Costa Rica (4-2). Because at the same time, Japan won against Spain to take the lead in Group E (2-1). Virtually qualified for two minutes, the Ticos also leave the competition.
If the result reflects the face of an opposition largely dominated by the men of Hansi Flick, the scenario has highlighted the glaring flaws of a collective far from being sovereign. After an excellent start, rewarded by the opening of the quick score of Serge Gnabry at the reception of a cross from David Raum (10th), the Germans still suffered from a lack of realism. Despite the siege of the Costa Rican goals, it took an incredible number of chances to validate the success. Leon Goretzka (14th), Jamal Musiala (36th), Gnabry (40th) missed each other before the break. Then Musiala, twice, and Antonio Rüdiger (61st, 63rd, 66th) touched the post of Keylor Navas.
Before that, Yeltsin Tejeda had equalized by taking advantage of a shot released by Neuer (58th). Then Juan Pablo Vargas even put his people in charge on a mess in a desperate German defense at the slightest enemy incursion (70th). The excellent entry of Kai Havertz, author of a double (73rd and 84th) had the merit of setting the record straight.
But even the ultimate achievement of Niclas Fullkrug (90 + 1) did not change anything because, in parallel, Japan, executioner of the Germans during the 1st day, offered Spain.
2
For the second time in a row, Germany left the World Cup in the group stage. This had never happened to him in the previous 16 editions (Opta).
The player: Musiala has multiplied
Like all his partners, he left the lawn with his head bowed this Thursday evening. But Jamal Musiala can be proud of his World Cup. At 19, the Bayern player was still the best element of a Germany which offered almost nothing without his impressive activity. As the match turned into a nightmare, he was one of the few who never stopped provoking Costa Rica’s consolidated defense in an attempt to force fate. Frustrated twice by the amounts and sometimes imprecise in the finish, he still carried his selection offensively.
The fact: a two-minute dream for Costa Rica
Already crazy, the scenario of the evening turned unreal for two minutes this Thursday. With Japan already leading against Spain, Vargas’ goal sent Costa Rica virtually into 2nd place in Group E, knocking out the Germans and Spaniards. Unfortunately for the Ticostheir minimalist game plan ended up being sanctioned by the German entrants.