Germany beat Costa Rica but crash out of World Cup

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

Japan's controversial 2-1 victory against Spain would have eliminated Germany anyway, but Hansi Flick's side needed three points to give themselves any chance of reaching the last 16.

They completed their part of the bargain, but it was to no avail as the four-time champions finished third in the group and were eliminated on goal difference.

It could have been a different story after Japan's winning goal in the other Group E match was initially ruled out because the officials thought the ball had gone out of play before it was put into the net, but the decision was overturned by VAR.

Germany were in complete control and in front 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 Neuer was deemed to have the final touch for the second goal 12 minutes later when Juan Pablo Vargas bundled in from close range.

At that stage, Costa Rica were going through with Japan, and Spain were heading for the exit.

It would have capped one of the most astonishing nights in World Cup history, but Germany substitute Kai Havertz restored a measure of normality with two clinical finishes to extinguish Costa Rica's hopes of springing a major shock.

Substitute Niclas Fullkrug added a last-minute fourth to confirm victory, but it will be of no consolation as Germany failed to reach the knockout stage of the tournament for the second time in succession.

This was also a match that made history as an all-female officiating team took charge of a men's World Cup game for the first time, with France's Stephanie Frappart refereeing, joined by assistant referees Neuza Back from Brazil and Karen Diaz Medina from Mexico.

Shocked Germany a fallen power

Germany's second successive exit at the group stage will come as another shock to their system and they can have no complaints as they leave Qatar.

The skids were under their campaign when they lost 2-1 to Japan in their opener and, despite showing real character to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Spain, the first-game defeat left them vulnerable.

A Germany win looked a formality as they controlled the first half hour with embarrassing ease and led through Gnabry's strike.

Costa Rica were overpowered but Germany's complacency gave them an entry into the game and suddenly it was they who looked like qualifying as they went ahead, although it did not last long.

Germany have some fine players in the brilliant Jamal Musiala, along with Bayern Munich's former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane, but this World Cup may spell the end for the older generation such as goalkeeper Neuer and forward Thomas Muller.

There is certainly likely to be a lengthy inquest into another failure at the finals.

Resilient Costa Rica earn respect with fighting finish

Costa Rica looked for all the world like they were heading for a heavy defeat, in the manner of their 7-0 loss to Spain, in the opening half as they were just unable to deal with the Germans.

Only the brilliance of Keylor Navas' goalkeeping kept Germany at bay, but what resilience Costa Rica showed to hang in and take their chances when they were presented with them.

And the world of football watched in anticipation of a gripping finale after Neuer's own goal put them 2-1 up, leaving Luis Suarez Fernandez's side on course for a remarkable qualification and Germany going out along with Spain.

The dream only lasted three minutes, but would have felt like an age for those two giants of the game.

Germany had too much quality for Costa Rica in the end, but what a superb effort this was and they have a victory over group winners Japan to savour on their sixth appearance at the World Cup.

Player of the match

BennetteJewison Bennette

Costa Rica

Squad number9Player nameBennette

Squad number22Player nameMatarrita

Squad number24Player nameWilson

Squad number17Player nameTejeda

Squad number8Player nameOviedo

Squad number3Player nameVargas

Squad number12Player nameCampbell

Squad number20Player nameAguilera

Squad number5Player nameBorges

Squad number14Player nameSalas

Squad number11Player nameVenegas

Squad number19Player nameWaston

Squad number7Player nameContreras

Squad number4Player nameFuller

Squad number6Player nameDuarte

Squad number1Player nameNavas

Germany

Squad number7Player nameHavertz

Squad number14Player nameMusiala

Squad number10Player nameGnabry

Squad number21Player nameGündogan

Squad number9Player nameFüllkrug

Squad number13Player nameMüller

Squad number1Player nameNeuer

Squad number19Player nameSané

Squad number6Player nameKimmich

Squad number8Player nameGoretzka

Squad number3Player nameRaum

Squad number15Player nameSüle

Squad number11Player nameGötze

Squad number16Player nameKlostermann

Squad number4Player nameGinter

Squad number2Player nameRüdiger

Line-ups

Costa Rica

Formation 5-4-1

1Navas

4Fuller6Duarte19Waston3Vargas8Oviedo

12Campbell5Borges17Tejeda20Aguilera

11Venegas

Substitutes

Germany

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Neuer

6Kimmich15Süle2Rüdiger3Raum

8Goretzka21Gündogan

19Sané14Musiala10Gnabry

13Müller

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Costa Rica 2, Germany 4.

Second Half ends, Costa Rica 2, Germany 4.

Foul by Matthias Ginter (Germany).

Attempt saved. Jamal Musiala (Germany) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Serge Gnabry.

Joel Campbell (Costa Rica) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt blocked. Jamal Musiala (Germany) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joshua Kimmich.

Corner, Germany. Conceded by Youstin Salas.

Attempt missed. Niclas Füllkrug (Germany) header from the left side of the six yard box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Kai Havertz.

Attempt blocked. Niclas Füllkrug (Germany) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Serge Gnabry.

Substitution, Germany. Matthias Ginter replaces Niklas Süle.

Substitution, Costa Rica. Roan Wilson replaces Yeltsin Tejeda.

Substitution, Costa Rica. Anthony Contreras replaces Bryan Oviedo.

VAR Decision: Goal Costa Rica 2-4 Germany (Niclas Füllkrug).

Goal! Costa Rica 2, Germany 4. Niclas Füllkrug (Germany) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Leroy Sané.Goal awarded following VAR Review.

Attempt saved. Mario Götze (Germany) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.

Attempt saved. Kai Havertz (Germany) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jamal Musiala.

Goal! Costa Rica 2, Germany 3. Kai Havertz (Germany) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Serge Gnabry with a cross.

Attempt missed. Jamal Musiala (Germany) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.

Joshua Kimmich (Germany) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Ronald Matarrita (Costa Rica).

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