Costa Rica 2 Germany 4: Heartbreak for Germans as they’re dumped out in World Cup groups AGAIN despite thrilling win
KAI HAVERTZ climbed off the bench to spark a dramatic fight-back – but it proved in vain for Germany.
The 2014 champions incredibly failed to make it out of their group for the second successive tournament and are heading home.
Japan’s sensational victory over Spain meant Hansi Flick’s men missed out on second place on goal difference despite their first win of the tournament.
Germany were forced to play out the final few minutes of this one knowing there was little they could do to save themselves.
And there will be inevitably be question marks over the former Bayern Munich coach’s future after this latest disaster.
For the first time since 1938 Germany had failed to win their first two games at a World Cup and knew there was no more margin for error.
Japan’s shock loss to Costa Rica on Sunday had given them a lifeline and they looked in the mood to take advantage of it.
The Central Americans – who shipped seven in their opening game against Spain – had big problems containing Jamai Musiala early on.
The Bayern Munich youngster saw an early effort pushed away by Keylor Navas while his club team-mate Thomas Muller planted a free header just wide.
Even so it felt like a goal was coming and it duly arrived in the 10th minute as David Raum’s cross from the left was glanced home by Gnabry.
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It was the former Arsenal man’s 21st goal for his country – but his first at the World Cup.
Navas was overworked in trying to keep his team in with a chance and he kept out a header from Leon Goretska while another drive from Musiala stung his palms.
Gnabry turned his man smartly and curled a shot which drifted just wide of the far post while former Manchester City ace Leroy Sane found space for himself but blasted over.
Germany had been completely dominant but there was a warning just before the break as Keysher Fuller skipped through a couple of half-hearted German attempts to clear.
He got the connection he wanted on his thumping volley but Manuel Neuer made a stunning save to tip over the bar.
Flick would have wanted another goal to show for their dominance but everything changed in 15 crazy minutes at the start of the second half.
News drifted through from the Khalifa that Japan had turned the game on its head and were now leading 2-1 and suddenly Germany were in grave danger of missing out again.
And as they were still trying to work out the permutations, Neuer spilled a header from Kendall Waston and Yeltsin Tajeda swept home the rebound.
Germany knew they were heading out and threw everything forward in a bid to get themselves back in front.
Musiala found space down the left and saw his shot superbly tipped onto the post by Navas.
The PSG keeper couldn’t get near the next effort from the same player but the outcome was the same – it clattered against the woodwork.
And incredibly Costa Rica went up the other end and scored again as Neuer failed to deal with a free-kick under pressure from Waston.
Juan Pablo Vargas scrambled the ball home and despite a VAR check the goal was allowed to stand.
At that point La Sele were heading into the last 16 and Spain – the team they conceded seven against only nine days ago – were incredibly on their way out.
But credit to Germany for hitting back again as the changes made by Flick sparked them back into life.
Niclas Fullkrug – who rescued a point after coming off the bench against Spain – played in fellow sub Kai Havertz.
The Chelsea man had only been on for six minutes but finished calmly past Navas to pull the teams level again.and restore a bit of hope. .
Fullkrug was then denied by Navas as Germany once again threw everything forward.
And they edged ahead again as Gnabry’s cross was slotted home at the back post by Havertz who had made quite an impact.
Fullkrug turned in from close range and while the goal was initially ruled out for offside the VAR had a look and allowed it to stand.
Yet they still needed Spain to equalise to take them through – and this time there was no reprieve.
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