Despite defeating Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium, Germany was eliminated from the World Cup on a memorable night of drama.
Japan’s 2-1 victory over Spain, which allowed them to finish first in Group E, would have already eliminated Germany due to Spain’s better goal differential.
To have any hope of making it to the round of 16, Hansi Flick’s team needed to win, but it was in vain.
Serge Gnabry’s header in the 10th minute gave Germany the lead and perfect control, but Costa Rica miraculously turned the game around, raising the incredible potential that Spain might also lose.
Kendall Waston’s header was saved by Manuel Neuer of Germany in the 58th minute, and Yeltsin Tejeda then scored to tie the score. Juan Pablo Vargas added a second goal 12 minutes later. They were dealing with Japan at the time.
With two precise finishes, Germany’s replacement Kai Havertz preserved some semblance of normalcy during one of the most incredible World Cup nights ever. Despite winning in the dying seconds thanks to Niclas Fullkrug, Flick’s team was unable to go past the group stage for the second straight World Cup.
