Costa Rica vs Germany LIVE: World Cup 2022 result and reaction as Germany win but go out
Four-time champions Germany sensationally crashed out of the World Cup despite a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in their last Group E match on Thursday, tumbling out at the first hurdle for the second consecutive time. Germany finished third in the standings, behind Spain on goal difference, with Japan top following their 2-1 win over the Spaniards.
The result left Japan facing Croatia in the last 16 while Spain will take on Morocco. On a night of unrelenting drama in the desert near Doha, the Germans struck first with Serge Gnabry in the 10th minute but saw the Central Americans score twice with Yeltsin Tejeda and a Manuel Neuer own goal before a Kai Havertz brace put them back in front. Fellow substitute Niclas Fuellkrug added a fourth in stoppage time but it could do nothing to prevent their elimination as Spain advanced with a superior goal difference. It was the first time in their illustrious World Cup history that Germany had failed to win any of their first two group matches and despite bagging a win on their last attempt, they will be departing Qatar with dropped heads.
“In the first half I was disappointed and very angry at my team and how we allowed the opponent to come back,” Germany coach Hansi Flick said. “We wanted to score three or four goals in the first half but then we made mistakes. If we had converted those chances, 16 of them. But the tournament was not decided today for us. We did not have any efficiency at this tournament and that is why we were eliminated.”
They were teetering on the brink of elimination going into the game after losing their opening group match to Japan and then snatching a 1-1 draw against Spain. Needing only victory to avoid a repeat of their shock 2018 World Cup first round exit, Germany, with seven Bayern Munich players in their line-up, charged forward from the start in search of an early goal to settle their nerves. Jamal Musiala cut from left into the box and tested keeper Keylor Navas with a low drive in the second minute. It was one-way traffic initially and unmarked Thomas Mueller should have done much better when he was picked out by Joshua Kimmich but could not keep his header on target. Gnabry, however, scored with his glancing header in the 10th minute to put the four-time champions in front. Costa Rica, who required at least a point to have a chance to progress, rarely crossed into the German half, with only about 25% possession in the first 45 minutes. Germany were eager to make amends for their bad tournament start with teenager Musiala repeatedly taking on the entire Costa Rican defence. The chances kept coming but the Germans, as in the game against Japan, struggled to convert them. They were almost punished when Keysher Fuller benefitted from a double defensive blunder but his shot was tipped over the bar by Neuer, whose 19th appearance at the tournament was a World Cup record for goalkeepers.
With the group standings flashing up on the big screen of the Al Bayt stadium, Germany grew nervous with Musiala twice hitting the post early in the second half. Neuer, however, could do nothing 13 minutes after the restart when Tejeda thundered the ball past him on the rebound after he had first saved a Kendall Waston header. Juan Pablo Vargas then appeared to have bundled the ball over the line in the 70th minute to put Costa Rica in front but the effort was later credited as a Neuer own goal. Substitute Havertz scored twice in 12 minutes and Fuellkrug added another in stoppage time but ultimately it was too little too late with Spain advancing with a superior goal difference.
Relive all the action from out live blog below:
Costa Rica vs Germany
Germany suffer shock World Cup exit despite win over Costa Rica in final Group E match
90’ GOAL! Fullkrug adds a fourth after lengthy VAR check (CRC 2-4 GER)
85’ GOAL! Havertz has his second, and a lead for Germany (CRC 2-3)
71’ GOAL! Havertz replies to draw Germany level (CRC 2-2 GER)
70’ GOAL! Vargas converts as scrappy Costa Rica goal earns shock lead (CRC 2-1 GER)
67’ POST! Musiala with a rocket and the woodwork saves Costa Rica with Navas beaten (CRC 1-1 GER)
58’ GOAL! A stunner as Tejeda bundles home after Neuer spills (CRC 1-1 GER)
42’ WHAT A SAVE! Fuller capitalises on Rudiger’s mistake but Neuer denies his wild volley at goal (CRC 0-1 GER)
36’ CHANCE! Musiala dribbles into the box and then loses balance, slicing wide (CRC 0-1 GER)
15’ SAVE! Another good chance for Germany, Goretzka stretching and heads from close range as Navas stands tall (CRC 0-1)
10’ GOAL! Gnabry with a powerful header to put Germany in front (CRC 0-1 GER)
85’ GOAL! Havertz has his second, and a lead for Germany (CRC 2-3)
2’ SAVE! Navas pushes away Musiala’s fierce strike (CRC 0-0 GER)
Germany out, Japan through: How dramatic night at World Cup unfolded
22:10 , Michael Jones
A thrilling night of World Cup action saw Japan stun Spain and eliminate Germany from Qatar.
Hansi Flick’s side were third in Group E on goal difference behind La Furia Roja, thanks to the 7-0 win over Costa Rica. But Spain were almost out of the tournament themselves when Los Ticos took the lead.
There was great controversy surrounding Ao Tanaka’s goal and whether the ball was out of play, but now Japan book a date with Croatia, and Spain are left to take on Morocco in the last 16.
Here is a timeline of how the night unfolded and the dramatic rise and fall of each side as Group E was shaken up:
Germany out, Japan through: How dramatic night at World Cup unfolded
‘The German debacle’: Newspapers in Germany react to group-stage World Cup exit
22:05 , Michael Jones
Newspapers in Germany have reacted to the national team’s ‘embarrassing’ group-stage exit from the World Cup – the side’s second in as many world championships.
Germany are four-time World Cup winners but have followed their most recent triumph, in 2014, with back-to-back exits in the first round.
After steering the team to the trophy in 2014, coach Joachim Low oversaw their group-stage elimination in Russia, where his side finished bottom of their group after losing to Mexico and South Korea – either side of a victory over Sweden. And Low’s successor, Hansi Flick, saw his team suffer the same fate in Qatar on Thursday (1 November), as their 4-2 win against Costa Rica proved insufficient to send them into the last 16.
Having opened their account in Qatar with a shock 2-1 defeat by Japan, Germany bounced back to draw 1-1 with Spain, who had thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 in their tournament opener. But the final Group E matchday saw Japan stun Spain 2-1 to top the pool, as the Germans were eliminated in third place – behind the Spanish on goal difference.
“How embarrassing! We’re out!” read a headline by German tabloid Bild on Thursday night.
‘The German debacle’: Newspapers in Germany react to group-stage World Cup exit
Fifa World Cup: Results and reactions from day twelve
22:00 , Michael Jones
This is the side of the World Cup that Qatar would prefer you ignore
21:55 , Michael Jones
It is one of the regular moments of harsh reality that takes you out of the illusion that is this World Cup. As the taxi driver drops the group off, there is a sudden plea. It is not for a five-star rating.
“Can you give me a tip please?”, he asks. “I have no money to eat.”
The driver, of south Asian descent, sends almost everything he earns back to his family. This is supposed to be the long-awaited period when such workers can generate income due to the number of visitors to Qatar but here is another who is just starving.
Anyone who has been in Doha for the first week of this World Cup would have had many similar stories pass in front of their eyes. The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre said on Sunday that there had been six cases of migrant worker abuse reported in that time alone.
This is the side of the World Cup that Qatar would prefer you ignore
‘An absolute catastrophe'
21:48 , Michael Jones
Thomas Muller has described Germany’s World Cup exit as ‘an absolute catastrophe’ whilst doing his post match media duties.
“It is unbelievably bitter for us because our result would have been enough,” Muller added. “It’s a feeling of powerlessness.”
Germany crash out of World Cup group stage despite victory over Costa Rica
21:35 , Michael Jones
This is becoming a habit. The great achievers have become the great underachievers, the Turniermannschaft, the ultimate tournament team, the side who leave tournaments early, ignominiously, embarrassingly. Germany have stopped being Germany and the footballing world has lost one of its constants. Few victories have brought less pleasure to the four-time World Cup winners. This was not bittersweet because, despite Jamal Musiala’s brilliance, Kai Havertz’s brace and the latest example of Niclas Fullkrug’s power as an impact substitute, there was nothing sweet about it for Germany. Not when they are accustomed to so much more.
Their fate was in effect sealed before Stephanie Frappart, the first woman to referee a game at the men’s World Cup, blew the final whistle. It was clinched by two Japanese comebacks, the two goals in eight minutes they scored against Germany and the two in three they got against Spain. It left Germany needing five goals in the last five minutes of added time against Costa Rica.
And even on a credibility-defying night of sometimes illogical drama at the Al Bayt, that wasn’t quite possible. Instead a thrashing proved decisive: The third result that ultimately eliminated Germany was Spain’s 7-0 win over Costa Rica. As they finished level on points with Luis Enrique’s side, it meant they needed a similarly sizeable scoreline. And while they had the chances, their frailty was part of the problem. They conceded twice in 12 minutes. Somehow, they trailed in a game they dominated. The team who used to bring order to proceedings now experienced chaos.
Germany crash out of World Cup despite victory over Costa Rica
Germany eliminated from World Cup
21:28 , Michael Jones
Germany have failed to get past the group stage at each of the last two World Cups, after they had made it past the first round in each of the previous 16 tournaments since 1954.
Japan stun Spain with thrilling comeback to snatch top spot amid breathtaking World Cup drama
21:24 , Michael Jones
The ultimate lost cause, a win of historic proportions. A game of literal inches, a night of monumental drama. One former World Cup winner is out. Another no longer look like potential champions. Japan, against that, have emerged as one of the stories and revelations of this tournament.
Kaoru Mitoma’s heroic chasing of a ball that seemed certain to go out of play saw Ao Tanaka score a goal for the ages on another night that will reverberate through football history. It didn’t just mean Japan did to Spain what they did to Germany with another 2-1 comeback. It meant they finished ahead of both in the group to subject Germany to the humiliation of elimination and Spain to the embarrassment of finishing second after having almost everything their own way.
They now look flawed and vulnerable rather than imperious and victorious, as well as pathetically dependent on a German favour.
Japan stun Spain with thrilling comeback to snatch top spot
FT Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
21:20 , Michael Jones
Germany are out of the World Cup.
World Cup results: The scores so far from Qatar 2022
21:18 , Michael Jones
The 2022 World Cup is in full swing as 32 nations began on 20 November aiming to lift the Jules Rimet trophy in Doha on 18 December.
The tournament is the first Fifa men’s World Cup to play out in the northern hemisphere’s winter, after it was moved from its original summer scheduling to combat Qatar’s intense heat.
Brazil came into tournament as the slight favourites to win the World Cup ahead of their South American rivals Argentina. The most fancied European nations at the start of the competition were England, Spain, France and Germany, with Belgium and Netherlands also considered dark horses. As the African champions, Senegal were considered Africa’s best hope of delivering a first World Cup for the continent.
The tournament has not been without controversy, from the mid-season scheduling which has seen a raft of injuries in the lead-up to kick-off, to the broader picture of Qatar’s exploitation of migrant workers in order to build the stadiums and infrastructure required to host the four-week event. Fifa president Gianni Infantino only added fuel to the fire when he gave his extraordinary pre-tournament speech, and what has followed has been vigorous debate around showing support for LGBTQ+ rights in a conservative Islamic country where homosexuality is illegal.
Despite the off-field issues, the players on the pitch have still served up an entertaining tournament, with goals, shocks, twists and turns.
Here are the results so far at World Cup 2022:
World Cup results: The scores so far from Qatar 2022
Who has been eliminated from World Cup 2022 and who has qualified for the knockout stage?
21:15 , Michael Jones
The 2022 World Cup is in full swing as 32 nations began on 20 November aiming to lift the Jules Rimet trophy in Doha on 18 December.
Despite the many off-field issues around the tournament in Qatar, the group stage has thrown up plenty of thrills and spills, with Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia going down as one of the greatest shocks of any World Cup in history. Japan also stunned Germany, while Spain and England racked up goals in statement opening wins.
The top two teams from each group go through to the round of 16, with group winners taking on the runners-up from a different group, while the third- and fourth-placed nations in each group are eliminated from the competition.
Here are the teams qualified for the last 16 so far:
Who has been eliminated from the World Cup and who has qualified for the knockouts?
FT Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
21:12 , Michael Jones
Germany had 32 efforts on goal against Costa Rica, the highest total by any team in a single match at the 2022 World Cup. They scored four of them whilst hitting the woodwork three times.
Spain knocked in seven goals in 17 attempts against the South American side which is what has sent them into the knockout stages.
Germany crash out of World Cup group stage despite victory over Costa Rica
21:09 , Michael Jones
Germany have been knocked out of the World Cup in Qatar after finishing third in Group E despite a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica.
Hansi Flick’s side came from behind against Los Ticos to win at the Al Bayt Stadium, but Japan’s shock win over Spain sent them tumbling out before the knockout phase for a second consecutive World Cup.
Japan topped the group on six points, with Spain edging out the four-time world champions on goal difference thanks to their opening 7-0 win over Costa Rica.
Germany’s campaign in Qatar started off with a stunning loss to Japan, despite dominating the contest, as goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano handed Flick’s side a defeat.
Germany crash out of World Cup despite victory over Costa Rica
FT Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
21:06 , Michael Jones
Japan are only the third team in World Cup history to win two different games at a single edition in which they were losing at half-time, after Brazil in 1938 and Germany in 1970.
Their 2-1 victory over Spain has knocked Germany out of the World Cup. They’ll now face Croatia in the last-16.
Even with Jamal Musiala everywhere, Germany are going nowhere
21:03 , Michael Jones
The team sheet suggested that Jamal Musiala was lining up as Germany’s No 10, behind Thomas Muller, ahead of Ilkay Gundogan and Leon Goretzka, and between Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane. Alternatively, coach Hansi Flick could have simply written Musiala’s name six times.
For the 19-year-old, with his nation needing him to turn up perhaps above all others in this team, turned up instead of them. And he decided to turn up on the left, on the right, through the middle, and from deep.
In an ideal situation and the kind in which Germany usually find themselves, such a responsibility would not fall on such young shoulders – not yet broadened as they will be by the time the 2026 World Cup arrives in the US, Canada and Mexico. But this edition of the tournament does not represent an ideal situation, and this must-win clash with Costa Rica was far from the kind in which Germany usually find themselves. So, step forward Jamal Musiala; step up, step left, step right, step on every blade of grass in sight.
For 45 minutes, Flick’s side briefly looked a team transformed – invigorated and insatiable in pursuit of the three points that would take them into the last 16 in Qatar, but only if coupled with a Spanish victory over Japan, who shocked Germany a week ago.
Even with Jamal Musiala everywhere, Germany are going nowhere
FT Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
21:00 , Michael Jones
Group E finishes with Japan on six points, Spain on four (+6 GD), Germany on four (+1 GD) and Costa Rica on three.
What a group, what a night, what a result for Japan!
Full-time: Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
20:56 , Michael Jones
90+10 mins: Germany are out of the World Cup!
Japan have beaten Spain 2-1 to finish top of Group E. Spain have a better goal difference than Germany meaning that they finish second in the group and get through as well.
The four time world champions are knocked out in the group stages for a second World Cup in a row! They’ve won the match against Costa Rica but fail to qualify.
Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
20:53 , Michael Jones
90+7 mins: All the German fans inside the stadium will be glued to their phones right now. They’re waiting for news of a Spanish goal but time is running out.
There can only be a few seconds left in that match. As it stands Germany will win the game but lose out on a place in the last-16.
Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
20:51 , Michael Jones
90+5 mins: Kai Havertz scored his first World Cup goal for Germany from his first shot on target. He is also the second German to score a brace as a sub at the World Cup after Andre Schurrle in 2014 vs Brazil.
His efforts might not be enough to get Germany through though.
Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
20:49 , Michael Jones
90+2 mins: There’s going to be 10 minutes of added time to play here with Germany having won the game.
The fate of Group E now comes down to Spain vs Japan. If Spain score Germany go through, if they don’t Japan reach the last-16.
GOAL! Costa Rica 2-4 Germany (Fullkrug, 89’)⚽️
20:47 , Michael Jones
89 mins: VAR overturns the on field decision and Germany have a fourth goal!
DISALLOWED! Costa Rica 2-3 Germany
20:46 , Michael Jones
89 mins: Joshua Kimmich flicks the ball over the top and picks out Leroy Sane in the box. Sane chests the ball down to Niclas Fullkrug who turns the ball into the back of the net only to get flagged for offside.
VAR are taking a look at this though.
Costa Rica 2-3 Germany
20:44 , Michael Jones
88 mins: This group is going down to the wire. As it stands Spain are going through ahead of Germany due to goal difference. If Spain score then Germany would go through having scored more goals than Japan.
Germany have done what they can and now need Spain to do them a huge favour.
GOAL! Costa Rica 2-3 Germany (Havertz, 85’)⚽️
20:41 , Michael Jones
85 mins: Germany are not done yet!
Serge Gnabry brings the ball down the right wing and curls a decent cross into the box. It skips through the six-yard area and bounces up to Kai Havertz who arrives at the back post for a tap in!
Germany are back in front but they need another goal and they need Spain to score.
Costa Rica 2-2 Germany
20:39 , Michael Jones
82 mins: Inside the last 10 minutes of the 90 now. Can Costa Rica score? Substitute Ronald Matarrita is sent sprinting after the ball as it’s played down the left wing and he carries it all the way to the byline before putting a low pass into the box.
He’s got one team mate to aim for but Antonio Rudiger gets back in time to intercept.
Costa Rica 2-2 Germany
20:36 , Michael Jones
79 mins: As time ticks by things are looking bleak for Germany. They need to score twice and hope for a goal from Spain to get themselves into the knockout rounds.
A goal for Costa Rica will send them through though. Which way is this group going to go?
Costa Rica 2-2 Germany
20:29 , Michael Jones
76 mins: Save! Navas denies Fullkrug! What a game this has turned into!
Germany break down the left wing with Musiala driving the ball forward. He slips Leroy Sane into the box before a squared pass comes over to Fullkrug at the back post.
He shoots with a first time effort but Navas has the angle covered and stops the ball with his head!
GOAL! Costa Rica 2-1 Germany (Vargas, 70’)⚽️
20:26 , Michael Jones
70 mins: Oh my god! Costa Rica win a free kick over on the left wing and swing it over to the far side of the box. It gets headed into the six yard area where Oscar Duarte flicks it on to Juan Pablo Vargas.
He scuffs a shot into Manuel Neuer but the ball comes loose, hits the Costa Rican defender and then bounces over the line! It’s a scrappy goal but Costa Rica are ahead against Germany!
Costa Rica 1-1 Germany
20:23 , Michael Jones
67 mins: Gotze and Havertz replace David Raum and Thomas Muller. Costa Rica are camped deep in their own half now as Jamal Musiala brings the ball to the edge of the box.
He shoots and rattles the right hand post! It’s the third time Germany have struck the woodwork since the equaliser!
Costa Rica 1-1 Germany
20:22 , Michael Jones
64 mins: Mario Gotze and Kai Havertz are getting prepared to come on for Germany. They need to score at least two goals to be in with a shout of qualifying and then they have to hope Spain score against Japan.
Costa Rica 1-1 Germany
20:19 , Michael Jones
61 mins: How about this for a permutation? If Costa Rica score again then both Spain and Germany could get knocked out of the World Cup.
Germany are the ones in the ascendancy though, they’re peppering Keylor Navas’ goal at the minute.
GOAL! Costa Rica 1-1 Germany (Tejeda,58’)⚽️
20:15 , Michael Jones
58 mins: Costa Rica are level! A lovely counter-attack from Costa Rica sees Keysher Fuller sweep into the box and lift a cross over to Youstin Sala who nods the ball straight at Manuel Neuer.
The German goalkeeper palms it away but Yeltsin Tejeda is first to react and guides the ball home!
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
20:13 , Michael Jones
57 mins: Niclas Fullkrug comes on now for Germany to replace Ilkay Gundogan as the Germans are now in desperate need of goals. Japan have scored a second goal against Spain and are now top of Group E.
To qualify Germany need to score six goals or hope Spain make a comeback against Japan!
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
20:10 , Michael Jones
54 mins: Musiala looks to be growing frustrated out there. He makes another decent run to the byline before cutting inside and trying to set up Thomas Muller with a cutback.
Juan Pablo Vargas gets ahead of the forward though and clears the danger for Costa Rica.
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
20:07 , Michael Jones
51 mins: What a surprise!
Japan have equalised against Spain and now move ahead of Germany in the Group E standings. Both Japan and Germany are level on points and goal difference so a goal from Spain or Germany will see Hansi Flick’s side get through.
That news will be filtering through to the German team right now.
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
20:05 , Michael Jones
48 mins: Ilkay Gundogan swings a cross field pass over to David Raum who sends the ball up to Jamal Musiala. Musiala drives at the defence and goes around two players before getting stopped just inside the box.
He’s not short on confidence at all.
Second half: Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
20:02 , Michael Jones
Costa Rica get the match back underway as they search for an equaliser. Germany quickly win possession of the ball though with Niklas Sule bringing it past the halfway line as the South American side drop deep.
HT Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
20:00 , Michael Jones
Serge Gnabry’s 21st goal for Germany was his first international goal scored with his head. He is the first German to score a headed goal at the World Cup since Mats Hummels in 2014 vs. France.
HT Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:56 , Michael Jones
In the other Group E match of the night Spain lead Japan 1-0 at half-time meaning that as it stands both Spain and Germany will be heading into the last-16.
Japan need to defeat Spain to pip the Germans into second place.
HT Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:52 , Michael Jones
Serge Gnabry sent Germany ahead with just 10 minutes on the clock but Germany will be irked that they didn’t add to their lead.
Half-time: Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:48 , Michael Jones
45+1 mins: Germany go into the break with a slender one goal lead. Costa Rica had a great chance to equalise right at the end of the half but Manuel Neuer denied Keysher Fuller a second World Cup goal.
Hansi Flick will want his team to score again to be certain of a victory here. He’ll be remembering the Japan game where Germany shipped two goals in eight minutes.
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:43 , Michael Jones
42 mins: Save! A simple long ball up the pitch from Costa Rica sees David Raum miss the ball as he attempts to control it before Antonio Rudiger has his pocket picked by Keysher Fuller.
He touches the ball into the box and shoots but Manuel Neuer is on hand to push the ball over the top of the crossbar!
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:40 , Michael Jones
39 mins: Close! Raum sends a throw in up to Thomas Muller who dinks the ball into the box for Serge Gnabry who flicks and spins his way into space before curling a decent effort just wide of the far post!
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:37 , Michael Jones
36 mins: Chance! Serge Gnabry flicks a pass round the corner to play Jamal Musiala into the box. The youngster shuffles past two defenders before poking a right-footed shot wide of the far post!
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:35 , Michael Jones
35 mins: Close! With nothing really on for him Kimmich has a go from range and blasts a dipping shot towards goal. It’s a good effort but Keylor Navas gets in behind it.
The goalkeeper spills the ball though and Thomas Muller almost pounces but Kendall Watson holds him off allowing Navas to leap on top of it.
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:34 , Michael Jones
33 mins: Costa Rica are set deep and are holding their line refusing to come out and engage Germany’s creative players. Joshua Kimmich whips in a cross from the right side but overhits it and can’t pick out a teammate.
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:33 , Michael Jones
30 mins: Costa Rica seemingly have six men in the back line yet still Germany are finding loads of space in the final third. Ilkay Gundogan tries to float in a cross but his effort is charged down.
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:28 , Michael Jones
27 mins: David Raum swings a corner into the box for Germany - it’s their fifth of the match - but Costa Rica deal with this one easily enough.
The don’t keep the ball for long as the Germans recover the clearance and look to attack once again.
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:26 , Michael Jones
24 mins: Serge Gnabry weaves his way into a packed penalty area as Costa Rica get men behind the ball. It comes out to David Raum who pulls the ball back to Jamal Musiala but his snapshot doesn’t get through the cluster of bodies.
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:23 , Michael Jones
21 mins: Germany have settled down a bit since they scored. They’re still in complete control of the match but aren’t feeding it into the final third with as much gusto as the opening 10 minutes.
You wouldn’t put it past them adding one or two more before half-time though.
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:19 , Michael Jones
18 mins: Joel Campbell thinks he’s won a corner for Costa Rica after taking on Niklas Sule and seeing the ball go behind but the forward was offside as the ball came up to him so Germany are awarded a free kick.
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:17 , Michael Jones
15 mins: Chance! Leon Goretzka darts through the Costa Rican defence as the ball is chipped into the box from the right side of the pitch.
The German midfielder is wide open and nods the ball towards goal only to be denied by a good save from Keylor Navas!
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
19:14 , Michael Jones
13 mins: In the other fixture of the night in Group E, Alvaro Morata has sent Spain in front against Japan. That means both European side will be heading into the knockout rounds.
GOAL! Costa Rica 0-1 Germany (Gnabry, 10’)⚽️
19:10 , Michael Jones
10 mins: Just what Hansi Flick ordered!
This time Germany sweep down the left wing with David Raum getting forward from his position at left-back. He hangs a perfect cross into the box where Serge Gnabry has positioned himself in space.
There’s work still to do for the forward but he works his header over to the far side of the goal leaving the goalkeeper no chance to reach it.
Germany take the lead.
Costa Rica 0-0 Germany
19:10 , Michael Jones
9 mins: Chance! Joshua Kimmich swings a cross into the box from the right wing and picks out Thomas Muller. He throws himself at the ball and heads his effort wide of the near post!
Costa Rica 0-0 Germany
19:09 , Michael Jones
8 mins: Jamal Musiala gives Costa Rica a look at why he’s so dangerous by going on a twisting run into the box and dancing past three of four defenders.
He tries to lay the ball off instead of shooting though and gifts the Costa Ricans the chance to boot the ball clear.
Costa Rica 0-0 Germany
19:06 , Michael Jones
5 mins: Serge Gnabry makes a nice run into the left side of the box and has a prodded effort stopped at the near post by the goalkeeper but the flag goes up for offside anyway.
It’s hard to see anything other than a Germany win with the way they’ve started this game.
Costa Rica 0-0 Germany
19:03 , Michael Jones
2 mins: Save! Germany are on top immediately. They work the ball down the left wing before sending it inside to Jamal Musiala. He cuts onto his right foot and runs into the space on the edge of the box before smoking a shot towards goal.
Keylor Navas sees it early and drops to his left before punching it behind for a corner.
Kick off: Costa Rica 0-0 Germany
19:01 , Michael Jones
Germany kick off the match and work the ball over to Joshua Kimmich on the right side of the defence. He sends the ball into midfield where Ilkay Gundogan tries and fails to properly bring it under control.
Costa Rica vs Germany
18:55 , Michael Jones
The players make their way out onto the pitch.
Tonight’s match breaks new ground in that it is the first World Cup game in men’s professional football to be refereed by a team of women.
The national anthems are played. Costa Rica need a win, Germany need a win. Let’s see who comes out on top.
Flick on facing Costa Rica
18:51 , Michael Jones
“When you look at the table Costa Rica have a chance to reach the round of 16. A draw, and a win for Spain, is enough for them to advance,” said German boss Hansi Flick.
“I expect from Costa Rica a defensive performance as they did it against Japan. We have to find solutions against that. I think it would show a lack of respect to Costa Rica to talk about scoring eight goals. We will be happy if we win it and that is our aim.
“We want to try to decide it for us from the start. But to come back from that 7-0 and deliver such a defensive performance against Japan deserves respect.”
“We have the qualification not entirely in our own hands but what is pressure?... I feel no pressure. Not after the game against Japan either. I am convinced we are on a good path.”
Costa Rica vs Germany
18:45 , Michael Jones
The warm-ups are done and dusted and kick off is 15 minutes away.
This is another pressure filled game for Germany who are on the brink of being knocked out of the World Cup. Can they step up once again and defeat Costa Rica tonight?
Costa Rica vs Germany
18:40 , Michael Jones
Germany’s know what they need to do. Win or else their tournament is over.
Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala will need to be on fire in front of goal if Germany are to make it through to the last-16.
They should have enough quality to get past Costa Rica but they’ve been shocked already in this tournament.
Costa Rica vs Germany
18:35 , Michael Jones
What result will the fans see tonight? Can Germany reach the knockout rounds from the last chance saloon or will Costa Rica secure another memorable win and head into the last-16?
Could Flick depart head coach role?
18:30 , Michael Jones
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed that he will be leaving his role as the national manager after his team were knocked out of the World Cup but could Hansi Flick join him?
Germany are in danger of being eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage for the second tournament in a row but the head coach has no plans about leaving his position should that occur.
"I have a contract until 2024 and I look forward to the home Euros (in 2024) but it is a long time until then," said Flick, who took over from Joachim Low in August 2021.
"We want to kill off the game early to pile pressure on the other group game. We have to have the attitude we showed against Spain."
Female referees will make history in Qatar – here’s what they can expect
18:25 , Michael Jones
“History will be made in Qatar for the Fifa World Cup 2022, with the appointment of six female match officials for the first time.
“Referees Stephanie Frappart from France, Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda and Yoshimi Yamashita from Japan – as well as assistant referees Neuza Back from Brazil, Karen Diaz Medina from Mexico and Kathryn Nesbitt from the USA – represent a cadre of female referees breaking through to the elite men’s level.
“The 36 referees, 69 assistant referees and 24 video match officials (VMOs) chosen to go to Qatar represent the highest level of refereeing worldwide.
“The appointment of female match officials to Qatar 2022 has been achieved thanks to a long-term plan. This involved their appointment to men’s junior and senior Fifa tournaments in preparation for the world’s most important tournament.”
Keith Hackett: Female refs will make history in Qatar – here’s what they can expect
Costa Rica vs Germany referee: Who is World Cup 2022 official Stephanie Frappart?
18:20 , Michael Jones
All eyes will be on Costa Rica vs Germany on Thursday evening at the World Cup, for multiple reasons.
For starters it’s a decisive Group E fixture and all four teams can still make the last 16 or go home early. And it’s also a game in which history will be made, as Stephanie Frappart will be referee - the first time a female has officiated a men’s World Cup fixture.
The French official will be assisted by Brazilian Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz, as part of an all-female on-field team selected by Fifa.
Breaking barriers is nothing new for the 38-year-old, with Frappart’s performances earning her a role in Ligue 1, France’s top-flight league for men, since 2019.
Who is Costa Rica vs Germany referee at the World Cup?
Belgium’s golden generation spurn last chance at World Cup glory
18:15 , Michael Jones
A golden generation has lost its gilding. The most talented group of Belgian footballers in living memory have spurned their last chance at glory, instead exiting at the group stages of what is surely their last World Cup together. At the final whistle, their best player Kevin De Bruyne was staring into the middle distance, their one-time world-beating talent Eden Hazard was contemplating his role as an ineffective late substitute and their supreme goalscorer Romelu Lukaku was lamenting a series of barely believable missed chances.
For Roberto Martinez, the manager who has come closest to fulfilling this squad’s almost limitless potential, it is surely his final act in charge. It would be tempting to say that the recriminations will come over the next few days for him and his players if not for the fact that they had started already. Talk of a divided squad past its sell-by date has undercut this last dance since the start of their tournament and will now only grow louder.
Croatia progress from Group F but only as runners-up, which is perhaps evidence of their own powers being on the wane. Zlatko Dalic’s side still had just enough about their careful possession play to earn the goalless draw and the point that they required to be sure of reaching the last 16, though their opponents in Al Wakrah on Monday will not have been overly intimidated by what they saw. With Morocco beating Canada to top the group, if it were not for some extraordinary Lukaku misses, Croatia may easily have exited themselves.
Belgium’s golden generation spurn last chance at World Cup glory
Roberto Martinez stands down as Belgium manager after World Cup exit
18:10 , Michael Jones
Roberto Martinez has confirmed that he will leave his role as manager of Belgium after they exited the 2022 World Cup.
The former Everton boss, who was in charge of the Red Devils for six years, guided them to third place in Russia four years ago and was at the helm for a three-and-a-half year spell as Fifa’s No 1 ranked side.
But a deeply disappointing tournament in Qatar, where a defeat by Morocco and a draw with Croatia ensured a group-stage exit, has seen him opt to walk away.
“That was my last game”, he said afterwards at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. “It’s emotional as you can imagine.”
Martinez’s side were improved against the 2018 finalists but substitute Romelu Lukaku, in particular, failed to take a number of second-half chances, the draw not enough as Croatia progressed in their place.
Roberto Martinez stands down as Belgium manager after World Cup exit
Suarez aiming for knockout rounds
18:04 , Michael Jones
Costa Rica’s coach Luis Fernando Suarez hopes his side can emulate the Costa Rican team from 2014 who reached the World Cup last-16 ahead of England and Italy.
"Eight years have gone by and players have changed but you have good memories," said Colombian Suarez.
"Maybe it’s down to the genes of the Costa Ricans. When they reach a World Cup they do things differently and they play well. I’m not just talking about 2014 in Brazil, I think also about Italy 1990.
"They reached the last 16 when no-one believed in them. They are never the favourites, which is good.
"We need to be emotionally strong and break our backs in this match. If Germany is knocked out it would be a major thing and we would be proud to be responsible for that."
Hansi Flick reverses roles after Japan loss as substitutes save Germany against Spain
17:58 , Michael Jones
If substitutes were Germany’s nemeses against Japan, a replacement turned their rescuer against Spain. Hansi Flick was outwitted as Hajime Moriyasu’s changes conjured a famous win for the Japanese. Flick could at least savour the sense of a role reversal when Niclas Fullkrug lashed a shot past Unai Simon after a move that involved another whom Flick had introduced, in Leroy Sane. Germany, who had conceded in the 83rd minute to Japan, scored in it against Spain.
Given the gulf in class at times, they may not have deserved a draw. Yet for decades, Germany were the specialists in prevailing, whether emphatically or efficiently, on penalties or within regulation time. They pilfered a point.
Now a team accustomed to finals in the truest sense of the phrase face another. There is a finality to their game against Costa Rica. There can be a gratitude towards their opponents, too. Given Spain’s superior goal difference, a draw at the Al-Bayt Stadium would have all but eliminated Germany if, as expected, Japan beat a side coming off a 7-0 walloping. Yet if the most important goal of Germany’s World Cup has been scored in previous years by Helmut Rahn, Gerd Muller, Andreas Brehme or Mario Gotze. in 2022 it has come courtesy not of Fullkrug, but of Keysher Fuller. If the name scarcely sounds Germanic, he is from Costa Rica, not Cologne and plies his trade for Herediano, not Hannover.
Hansi Flick reverses roles after Japan loss as substitutes save Germany against Spain
Costa Rica vs Germany line-up
17:47 , Michael Jones
Germany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Rudiger, Sule, Raum; Goretzka, Gundogan, Sane; Musiala, Gnabry, Muller
Costa Rica XI: Navas; Duarte, Waston, Vargas; Fuller, Borges, Tejeda, Oviedo; Aguilera, Venegas, Campbell
Referee’s appointment hailed as breakthrough for ‘very sexist’ football
17:45 , Michael Jones
Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez believes the milestone appointment of a female referee at the men’s World Cup is a major step forward for the “very sexist” football industry.
France’s Stephanie Frappart will make history on Thursday as the first woman to take charge of a match at the men’s tournament when she oversees the crunch clash between Suarez’s side and Germany.
The 38-year-old will lead an all-female on-field team after FIFA selected Neuza Back of Brazil and Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina as her assistants.
Germany must win the Group E match to stay in contention for the knockout stages, while Costa Rica can guarantee a last-16 spot with victory.
First female World Cup referee hailed as breakthrough for ‘very sexist’ football
Costa Rica vs Germany early team news and predicted line-ups
17:40 , Michael Jones
Costa Rican defender Francisco Calvo picked up a second yellow card against Japan and is suspended. Hansi Flick has no fresh injury concerns and must choose betweern Thomas Muller or Niclas Fullkrug in attack.
Predicted line-ups
Costa Rica: Navas, Fuller, Duarte, Chacon, Watson, Oviedo, Torres, Borges, Tejeda, Campbell, Contreras.
Germany: Neuer, Klostermann, Sule, Rudiger, Rau, Kimmich, Gundogan, Gnabry, Musiala, Sane, Fullkrug.
Referee Stephanie Frappart to make World Cup history as part of all-female team
17:36 , Michael Jones
French referee Stephanie Frappart will make World Cup history as part of an all-female officiating team when she takes charge of Germany’s match against Costa Rica on Thursday.
Frappart will become the first female official to referee a men’s World Cup match, while Brazilian Neuza Back and Mexican Karen Diaz will be the assistant referees for the Group E match.
Frappart, the fourth official for the Poland-Mexico clash in Group C last week, will be the main referee as she reaches another milestone in the sport.
Referee Stephanie Frappart to make World Cup history as part of all-female team
Costa Rica vs Germany
17:31 , Michael Jones
Still to come tonight. Costa Rica are taking on Germany in a winner-takes-all clash in Group E.
Hansi Flick’s Germany are bottom of the group with just one point from their two matches and must win tonight if they want to make it through to the next round.
They also need Spain to avoid defeat to Japan to make it happen.
Costa Rica’s best chance of qualifying is to beat Germany and also hope that Spain do them a favour.
Reaction from Roberto Martinez
17:28 , Michael Jones
“It’s not easy to win games in the World Cup. We weren’t ourselves in first game we had a deserved defeat in second game. Today we were ready, we created opportunities and today there is no regrets. We’re out but we can leave with our heads held high.
“You see Youri Tielemans and other young players - the golden generation is doing something that is bringing the next generation on. It’s not what names are on the pitch the legacy can be left in many ways.
“No, we wanted to get through but I’m sure the other national teams wanted to get through and that’s the tournament. In the previous World Cup we won three games in the group stage, we wanted to go all the way.”
Croatia midfield delivers calmness and control amid the chaos
17:20 , Michael Jones
Croatia know how to deliver when it matters most. Finalists four years ago, this group are battle-hardened in knockout football, this game to close out Group F - a lose and go home match one round early - playing right into their hands. In what would be a heated contest with much to gain and everything to lose, they needed cool heads. Fortunately for them, they had the three coolest in the stadium.
Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic have seen it all in the colours of their national team, veterans and star turns of this gilded run of a golden group of players. Croatia saw off Denmark, Russia and England, all via extra time, to reach the final in Russia back in 2018. They know how to win in these moments. Crucially for this one here, they also know how not to lose.
Safe in the knowledge that a point would secure progress to the last 16, a performance of calmness and control among the was desperately required. And the three safest hands of all helped deliver it.
Croatia midfield delivers calmness and control amid the chaos
FT Croatia 0-0 Belgium
17:15 , Michael Jones
Is this the end of the road for Roberto Martinez?
The Belgium manager’s contract comes to an end following this World Cup and after such disappointment it would be a surprise if he wasn’t offered an extension.
FT Croatia 0-0 Belgium
17:12 , Michael Jones
Croatia performed brilliantly to keep Belgium out. They only needed a draw to get through to the last-16 and made sure they kept a clean sheet.
FT Croatia 0-0 Belgium
17:09 , Michael Jones
Romelu Lukaku attempted five shots, the joint-highest total for a Belgium player in a match at the 2022 World Cup.
FT Croatia 0-0 Belgium
17:06 , Michael Jones
What a campaign from Morocco.
They completed a 2-1 win over Canada to top a group which included two of the 2018 World Cup semi-finalists to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 1986.
Croatia sneak through having played out two goalless draws either side of a 4-1 win over Canada.
Croatia vs Belgium player ratings: Romelu Lukaku abysmal as ‘golden generation’ turns to rust
17:03 , Michael Jones
Belgium crashed out of the Qatar World Cup on Thursday after drawing 0-0 with Croatia, while Morocco beat Canada 2-1 elsewhere in Group F.
Belgium had underwhelmed against Canada in their tournament opener but snatched a 1-0 win, before suffering a critical 2-0 defeat by Morocco.
Meanwhile, Croatia had drawn 0-0 with Morocco then breezed past Canada 4-1, putting themselves in a promising position to reach the last 16.
They sealed their spot with a point here, while Morocco qualified top of Group F due to their victory over Canada.
Here’s how the players fared:
Croatia vs Belgium player ratings: Romelu Lukaku abysmal in front of goal
FT Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:58 , Michael Jones
Belgium, the number two ranked side in the world, have been eliminated from the World Cup.
Full-time: Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:55 , Michael Jones
90+4 mins: There’s the final whistle. Belgium are out of the World Cup!
They could get past Croatia’s defence, couldn’t pick up three points today and as a result Roberto Martinez’s golden generation have been knocked out in the group stages!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:53 , Michael Jones
90+2 mins: Another chance! Thorgan Hazard knocks the ball into the six-yard box as Belgium break down Croatia. Romelu Lukaku is hovering but Josko Gvardiol stretches at the ball and pokes it wide of the big striker!
What a block from the defender.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:51 , Michael Jones
90 mins: Oh no! Jeremy Doku weaves his way through the box and slides a pass to Thorgan Hazard who floats a perfect pass into the six-yard box.
He drops the ball over Dejan Lovran and picks out Romelu Lukaku who lets the ball hit him in the chest but then miscontrols it. Dominik Livakovic leaps onto the loose ball and smothers the danger.
Four minutes of added time to play!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:47 , Michael Jones
87 mins: Chance! Timothy Castagne floats a cross over to the far side of the box where Thomas Meunier volleys a pass into Romelu Lukaku.
The forward has no time to react but sticks out a leg and deflects the ball wide of the post!
Eden Hazard comes on to replace Meunier after that move.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:45 , Michael Jones
84 mins: Eden Hazard is coming on for the final minutes. He is the last card that Roberto Martinez has left to play. The Belgium captain will have mere minutes to influence his country’s World Cup destiny.
As it stands Belgium are going out. They need a goal.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:41 , Michael Jones
81 mins: Into the final 10 minutes with both teams creating chances. Croatia’s two substitutes are linking up well in the Belgium final third but they’ve yet to create a clear chance.
Juranovic storms forward to help out and receives the ball. He carries it into the box but his cutback finds Axel Witsel who boots it clear.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:38 , Michael Jones
78 mins: Thorgan Hazard wins a corner then swings it into the middle of the penalty area. He finds Jan Vertonghen but Mario Pasalic turns it behind.
The referee thinks the ball has gone out off the Belgium defender though and awards Croatia a goal kick.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:36 , Michael Jones
75 mins: Croatia have nine men behind the ball as De Bruyne slides a pass over to Tielemans on the right side of the pitch. He whips in a cross but there’s only Romelu Lukaku in the box and he’s easily marked.
Croatia clear their lines.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:32 , Michael Jones
73 mins: Martinez is throwing as many attack minded players on the pitch as he can. The longer the game goes on the more Croatia will go into their shells and try to hold out for a draw.
Belgium are still searching for this goal. Will Romelu Lukaku end up ruing his missed chance?
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:31 , Michael Jones
71 mins: Roberto Martinez is animatedly talking to Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku on the sidelines as he prepares more changes.
Leander Dendoncker and Yannick Carrasco are the two men replaced.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:27 , Michael Jones
66 mins: Andrej Kramaric and Marko Livaja are substituted off for Croatia with Mario Pasalic and Bruno Petkovic replacing them.
Petkovic gets involved straight away, setting Luka Modric up for a shot but the midfielder can’t keep the bouncing, bobbling ball from rising over the goal.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:25 , Michael Jones
63 mins: The replays show that Josip Juranovic got a slight deflection on Lukaku’s effort which took the ball onto the post. That could be a monumental block if Croatia end up going through.
De Bruyne lifts another cross onto Lukaku’s head but he puts the effort over the crossbar this time. The ball had rolled over the byline though before De Bruyne passed it so any goal wouldn’t have counted.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:21 , Michael Jones
60 mins: Off the woodwork! How has Lukaku missed this?
On the half turn Kevin De Bruyne slides a pass into the box for Yannick Carrasco who shrugs off a defender and pokes the ball at goal forcing Dominik Livakovic into a sharp save.
The ball rebounds out to Romelu Lukaku who fizzes a right-footed shot at goal and drills it into the nearest post!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:17 , Michael Jones
57 mins: Sosa is played into space on the left hand side allowing him to lift another cross into the box for Croatia but he puts it too close to Courtois who plucks the ball out of the add.
Thorgan Hazard is then introduced as a replacement for Leandro Trossard.
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:14 , Michael Jones
54 mins: Save! Thibaut Courtois is called into action once more. Sosa floats a chipped pass into the box for Livaja who chests it down before giving the ball to Kovacic.
He feeds it across to Brozovic who drills a shot at goal and forces the Belgium goalkeeper into a sharp stop to his right!
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
16:10 , Michael Jones
51 mins: Save! Croatia seem to have sensed more purpose from Belgium and sweep up the pitch to create a chance of their own. Josko Gvardiol dances into the area before sliding a pass over to Mateo Kovacic who curls an effort at goal that Thibaut Courtois tips over the crossbar!
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