Germany have been eliminated from the group stages at consecutive World Cups (also 2018), after they had progressed from the first round group stage in each of their 16 previous such appearances at the tournament.
Germany are out of the World Cup despite coming from behind to beat Costa Rica thanks to a brace from substitute Havertz. Ahead early on through a Gnabry header, Costa Rica turned the score in their favour in the second half. First, it was Tejeda who slammed the ball into the bottom corner, getting on the end of a rebound after Neuer fumbled Waston’s header. Suarez’s side briefly moved above Spain and into second when Vargas' flick was directed into the net by Neuer, before Havertz hit back with a quick response. Germany were behind for just three minutes, with the Chelsea man directing Fullkrug’s pass beyond Navas before slamming Gnabry’s inviting cross past the Costa Rican goalkeeper. With an assist to his name, Fullkrug then scored Germany’s fourth to confirm the victory, striking the ball in from close range after Sane laid it into his path. It was first disallowed for offside before VAR intervened to give the goal.
90' + 10' FULL-TIME: COSTA RICA 2-4 GERMANY
90' + 9' Simple save for Navas. Gnabry finds Musiala in the box who evades a couple of tackles before hitting Navas with a deflected effort.
90' + 8' Japan have beaten Spain. Germany are out of the World Cup with two minutes remaining of this game.
90' + 7' Great clearance from Salas. One-on-one with Navas, Musiala waits too long to hit a bouncing ball, with Salas coming across to smash it away.
90' + 6' OVER! Havertz and Fullkrug combine. The Chelsea man switches the ball onto his left before curling it towards the striker who heads it over the bar.
A. Contreras
B. Oviedo
90' + 3' Substitution for Costa Rica. Oviedo is replaced by Contreras.
R. Wilson
Y. Tejeda
90' + 3' Substitution for Costa Rica. Tejeda is replaced by Wilson.
M. Ginter
N. Süle
90' + 3' Substitution for Germany. Sule is replaced by Ginter.
N. Füllkrug
Goal
89' GOAALLLL! FULLKRUG SCORES! 4-2 GERMANY! Germany score again, but they are still out as things stand. After a VAR check, Fullkrug is deemed to be onside after latching onto Sane's pass. With the goal open, the striker puts it into an open net to score his second of the competition after doing so against Spain.
L. Sané
Assist
89' Sane is unselfish. Free on the left after receiving the ball from Kimmich, he could have scored but passed it to Fullkrug for an easy finish.
89' OFFSIDE! BUT THERE WILL BE A VAR CHECK! Fullkrug puts the ball in the net, but the flag goes up. Kimmich's deep cross is met by Sane, who pulls it across the box to the striker who has a simple finish. However, it will not count. There is a VAR check ongoing.
87' Havertz is the second German to score a brace as a substitute at the World Cup after Schurrle in 2014 vs Brazil.
S. Gnabry
Assist
85' It's a delightful cross from Gnabry. His curling ball into the box goes over the head of the Costa Rican defence but is too far away from Navas to claim. On the scene, Havertz is there to finish off the cross.
K. Havertz
Goal
85' GOAAALLLLLL! HAVERTZ SCORES AGAIN! 3-2 GERMANY! Gnabry curls an inviting cross from the right towards the back of the box. Arriving late, Havertz rushes onto the cross and slams it into the bottom corner past Navas. If Spain find an equaliser, Germany will be through as things stand.
84' From the byline, Musiala carries the ball from the left into the middle of the box before curling it over.
82' Matarrita beats Klostermann down the left before his low cross is cleared away by Rudiger.
81' After a spell of action in all areas, the game has had a few minutes without a goal. However, with nine minutes of normal time remaining, expect a dramatic end to the game.
79' Bennette curls it over from outside the box.
Ó. Duarte
Yellow Card
76' Duarte receives a yellow card for a tactical foul.
76' WHAT A SAVE! Germany should be in the lead. Fullkrug gets on the end of a cross, with his powerful strike from close range pushed over by Navas.
J. Bennette
K. Fuller
74' Substitution for Costa Rica. Fuller is replaced by Bennette.
R. Matarrita
J. Venegas
74' Substitution for Costa Rica. Venegas is replaced by Matarrita.
N. Füllkrug
Assist
73' Fullkrug scored against Spain and gets an assist to his name today. He flicks it towards Havertz who is free in the middle of the box and finds the back of the net.
K. Havertz
Goal
73' GOAALLLL! GERMANY SCORE! 2-2! Havertz comes on and makes an impact. He is one-on-one with Navas inside the box with the ball flicked into his path by Fullkrug. He keeps his composure, dinking it over Navas.
J. Vargas
Goal
70' GOAAALLLLLL! 2-1 COSTA RICA! All the substitutes are on the pitch for what could be one of the most historic goals in Costa Rica’s history! With the ball knocked in the air, Vargas gets a touch on it, flicking the ball against Neuer who directs it into his own net.
68' POST! It may not be Germany's day. Musiala cuts inside from the right, curling the ball towards the goal. Havertz ducks under his effort, with the ball smashing against the same post for the third time.
M. Götze
D. Raum
67' Substitution for Germany. Raum is replaced by Gotze.
K. Havertz
T. Müller
66' Substitution for Germany. Muller is replaced by Havertz.
65' Raum whistles the ball across the box, but nobody is there to get on the end of it. It was in the perfect place between the goalkeeper and the defenders.
63' If Costa Rica score again, they will move into a qualification spot, with Spain dropping out of the top two positions. All to play for in this match!
62' POST AGAIN! Rudiger misses the target this time. Sliding in, he meets Kimmich's low cross but crashes the outside of the post.
61' POST! Germany hit the post. Musiala bursts down the left, smashing the shot across the goal, ignoring Fullkrug in the middle of the post. Musiala hits the post and cannot turn the rebound into the net with the ball going over.
Y. Tejeda
Goal
58' GOAALL! COSTA RICA SCORE! 1-1! It’s gone from bad to worse for Germany. Waston races into the middle of the box, heading the ball straight at Neuer. The goalkeeper cannot keep it in his hands, with Tejeda rushing to the rebound and smashing it into the bottom corner.
58' Costa Rica have won just one of their last 11 World Cup games against European nations (D5 L5), recording a 1-0 win over Italy in the 2014 edition. Indeed, six of Costa Rica’s World Cup 2022 squad featured in the win against Italy (Celso Borges, Bryan Ruiz, Joel Campbell, Keylor Navas, Yeltsin Tejeda, Oscar Duarte).
56' A wild effort from Sane. Kimmich cuts it back to the former Manchester City man who lashes it well over from outside the box.
N. Füllkrug
İ. Gündoğan
55' Attacking substitution for Germany. Gundogan is replaced by Fullkrug.
54' Japan now lead against Spain and are at the top of Group E. Germany are now in big trouble.
52' BLOCK! Costa Rica have started the second half brightly. On the right, Tejeda and Campbell play a one-two with the former having a low shot blocked by Sule.
50' Japan have overtaken Germany after scoring an equaliser against Spain. As things stand, Germany are out of the World Cup.
48' Musiala looks to burst into the Costa Rica box but is crowded out by a number of defenders.
46' The game is back under way for the second half.
L. Klostermann
L. Goretzka
46' Substitution for Germany. Goretzka is replaced by right-back Klostermann, meaning Kimmich will move into the midfield.
Y. Salas
B. Aguilera
46' Substitution for Costa Rica. Zamora is replaced by Gomez.
With Spain leading, Germany will progress to the knockout stage of the World Cup if the score stays the same. However, they must make the most of their dominance. Having 12 shots, they have hit the target on just four occasions, with the opposing defence blocking most of their efforts. Muller should have scored his header in the opening few minutes, with Musiala failing to find the net with his two clear strikes at the goal. As for Costa Rica, they have defended well but must score when they break forward. Allowing Kimmich and Raum to move into advanced positions, they almost netted when Fuller broke forward. Frustrating Germany, Flick knows an equaliser for Japan in the other game will mean they must score again.
Gnabry scored the only goal in the first half as a dominant Germany lead against Costa Rica. Up against a resilient defence, Germany should have taken the lead through Muller, who ran free in the box before heading the ball wide. Instead, it was Gnabry who broke the deadlock. Musiala, who has been heavily involved in every attack, slid a pass down the left to Raum who went hurtling forward. The left-back then delivered a perfect cross, finding Gnabry who headered it past Navas. With just 29.9 per cent of possession, Costa Rica almost found an unlikely equaliser with their only shot of the opening 45 minutes. The hero against Japan, Fuller dispossessed Rudiger before seeing a powerful effort pushed over by Neuer.
45' + 1' HALF-TIME: COSTA RICA 0-1 GERMANY
44' Last time out, Fuller scored from Costa Rica’s very first shot on target at this World Cup (up until the most recent chance). Fuller almost became the fourth Costa Rica player to score more than once at a single World Cup edition after Bryan Ruiz in 2014, Paulo Wanchope in 2006 and Ronald Gomez in 2002.
42' OVER! Huge chance for Costa Rica to equalise. Rudiger fumbles his pass back to Neuer, allowing Fuller to run one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He smashes his effort down the centre of the goal from close range, with Neuer pushing it over.
39' WIDE! Gnabry misses the target. Using Waston and Borges as sight blockers for Navas, he curls the ball around the right post from inside the box.
37' Big chance for Musiala. He drifts past multiple Costa Rica defenders, moving into the middle of the box from the left. Creating space for himself, he shoots wide.
35' Kimmich unleashes a dangerous effort from outside the box. With the ball swerving in the air, Navas collects it on the second attempt, disappointing Muller who was ready for the rebound.
34' Kimmich has been allowed to go forward due to Costa Rica's unwillingness to go forward. He whips the ball across the box, but it evades both Muller and Gnabry.
32' A slight moment of concern for Germany and Raum. He slices a pass back to Neuer, with the ball going up in the air. Under pressure, he runs towards it, heading it back to the goalkeeper.
30' Gnabry shuffles on the ball, moving it onto his right foot before taking a shot inside the box. Going low, his strike is blocked.
29' Chance for Costa Rica. Campbell moves forward with the ball, switching the play out to Oviedo on the left. Rushing forward, he crosses it towards Campbell who made up the ground to be an option inside the box, but he misses the ball.
28' Raum's corner is knocked away before Venegas hooks it clear.
27' Gnabry and Raum play a one-two on the left of the box, with the ball rolling out to Musiala due to the Costa Rica defence poking it away. He hits an effort just inside the box, but it is blocked.
25' Musiala plays a throughball towards Muller who races beyond the Costa Rica defence. Ready for it, Navas rushes out and smashes it away. He may have been offside, but the goalkeeper was not going to risk it.
23' Musiala looks to find Gnabry in the middle of the box, but the ball is hacked away.
21' On the left, Gnabry's drilled cross is smashed away by Vargas.
20' Muller tries to go around Waston, but the defender does well. He shields the ball, allowing Navas to claim it.
18' A slack pass to Navas forces the goalkeeper to slide, trying to keep the ball on the pitch. It goes out by a distance, but the assistant referee allows the game to continue. Muller cannot believe it. Germany should have a corner.
15' 44.7 per cent of the action has been in the Costa Rica third over the last 15 minutes. They have been dominant and will score more if they are allowed to continue the way that they have started.
14' Raum looks to create another goal, this time searching for Muller. However, the forward cannot get onto the end of his cross.
12' Germany have won six of their eight World Cup matches against CONCACAF nations (D1 L1), though their only defeat in this run was in their last such match against Mexico in 2018. They will make it seven wins if they continue the way that they are going.
D. Raum
Assist
11' Raum is instrumental in the goal. He provides an option for Musiala down the left. Looking into the box, his cross is perfect, allowing Gnabry a simple finish.
S. Gnabry
Goal
10' GOAAALLLL! GNABRY SCORES! 1-0 GERMANY! This time, Germany score. Musiala runs forward with the ball, sliding it down the left to Raum. Looking for men in the middle, Gnabry latches onto the cross, heading it into the corner past Navas. Gnabry did not celebrate, picking up the ball and running back to his own half. Germany may have to win by two goals to finish in the top two positions of Group E.
9' MISS! A golden opportunity for Muller. Free in the middle of the box, he heads the ball well wide of the right post. Germany should be in the lead.
7' Musiala dances from the left to the right of the box. Costa Rica defenders fail to tackle him, with the former Chelsea academy man playing the ball to Muller. He then sets it back to Goretzka who slips, shooting wide.
6' Flick (D1 L1) is the second manager to fail to win his first two World Cup games in charge of Germany, after Josef Herberger. No Germany manager has failed to win his first three World Cup games. If Germany do not win today, they are out.
4' Gnabry bursts down the left of the box, smashing a shot against Navas from a tight angle. However, the flag is up, with the former Arsenal man moving forward too early.
2' SAVE! Navas makes the first save of the night. From the left, Musiala cuts inside before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box. Going low, his effort is pushed away for a corner.
1' Germany get this World Cup match under way.
This is the second ever meeting between Germany and Costa Rica, with the Germans winning 4-2 in the opening match of the 2006 World Cup previously.
As for Germany, Flick makes one alteration to the team that drew with Spain. Kehrer is replaced by Sane, causing the team to shuffle. With the West Ham defender playing at right-back in the previous match, Kimmich drops from the midfield into the vacant space. Partnering with Goretzka against Spain, Gundogan takes his place, moving into a deeper role after playing as an attacking midfielder. Finally, Musiala moves from the left wing into the centre, behind Muller, with Sane on the left of the German attack.
Costa Rica make three changes to the team that beat Japan last time out. Yellow carded in the first two matches; the suspended Francisco Calvo is replaced by Vargas in the defence. In the attack, Aguilera comes in for Torres on the right, with Venegas leading the line instead of Contreras.
GERMANY SUBS: Kevin Trapp, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Matthias Ginter, Thilo Kehrer, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug, Mario Gotze, Lukas Klostermann, Julian Brandt, Jonas Hofmann, Christian Gunter, Nico Schlotterbeck, Karim Adeyemi, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Youssoufa Moukoko.
GERMANY (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Sule, Antonio Rudiger, David Raum; Ilkay Gundogan, Leon Goretzka; Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane; Thomas Muller.
COSTA RICA SUBS: Esteban Alvarado, Patrick Sequeira, Daniel Chacon, Anthony Contreras, Jewison Bennette, Bryan Ruiz, Gerson Torres, Youstin Salas, Carlos Martínez, Douglas Lopez, Ronald Matarrita, Roan Wilson, Anthony Hernandez, Álvaro Zamora.
COSTA RICA (3-4-2-1): Keylor Navas; Oscar Duarte, Kendall Waston, Juan Pablo Vargas; Keysher Fuller, Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Bryan Oviedo; Brandon Aguilera, Joel Campbell; Johan Venegas.
As for Germany, they are at the bottom of Group E and must win to stand a chance of finishing in the top two positions. Losing 2-1 to Japan in their first match, Niclas Fullkrug saved Germany an early exit from the competition, coming off the bench to net the equaliser against Spain after Alvaro Morata broke the deadlock. If Spain beat Japan, Hansi Flick’s side will move into the knockout stage of the World Cup with a win over Costa Rica. However, if the other match in the group ends in a draw, Germany must win by two goals to move into second.
Costa Rica are level on points with Japan heading into the final match of Group E and will progress to the knockout stage of the World Cup with a win over Germany. Thumped 7-0 by Spain in their opening match without having a shot, Costa Rica bounced back with a victory over Japan. Keysher Fuller struck the winner in the 81st-minute, lifting Luis Fernando Suarez’s side above Germany and into third. If they fail to win, Costa Rica will qualify for the next stage of the competition if they secure a point and Spain beat Japan.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's World Cup Group E clash between Costa Rica and Germany.
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