Germany was eliminated again in the first round

Four years after the first defeat in the first round of the World Cup, the Germans will not see the 1/8 finals of the competition again. Costa Rican winners (4-2), Hans-Dieter Flick’s men fell victim on Thursday.^er Japan’s surprise win against Spain in December (2-1) and finished third in Group E, ahead of the Japanese and Spanish. Costa Ricans ranked last. “This is a complete disaster. These words were said by German striker Thomas Müller. It hurts incredibly, because our result could have been enough. We have a feeling of helplessness. »

The Nationalmannschaft, who lost the first game to Japan (2-1), then drew with Spain (1-1) and knew before this last meeting that they were not in full control of their destiny.

Nevertheless, he starts with the best intentions in the world. Very quickly, he cornered the Costa Ricans towards their goal and cemented his dominance with Serge Gnabry’s header (1-0, 10).^e minutes).

The starting Germans continue to push, but neither Leon Goretzka (14^e), nor Joshua Kimmich, with a floating shot (35^e), nor Jamal Musiala, is often on the right track (36^e), nor Serge Gnabry (40^e) double reduction. It was Keysher Fuller who couldn’t bring the two teams level before the break after a second mistake by David Raum and then Antonio Rüdiger. Fortunately for the Germans, Manuel Neuer is watching (42^e).

At half-time, if Germany has not taken off, he believes that Spain’s temporary victory against the defeated Japanese (1:0) is enough to qualify for the play-offs.

Crazy game

Then football reminded us why it was so unpredictable. In five minutes, Japan defeated Spain (2:1, 51^e). The Germans then know that unless the Spaniards come back to score, only a seven-goal win can save them. So they push. But Leroy Sane misses the goal (56^e), before Yeltsin Tejeda finished off one of the rare Costa Rica opportunities on the counter-attack (1-1, 58^e).

The sky just fell on his head, but Germany still believes it. However, the spell seems inexorable: Musiala finds the inscription (60^e), before hitting wide (61^e). Rüdiger alternately misses the target a few meters away from the goal (62^e), before Musiala found Keylor Navas’ position (67^e).

In a harmless free kick, Juan Pablo Vargas takes advantage of the fight to give Costa Rica the advantage (2-1, 70^e). A goal later that tied Costa Rica with Japan and eliminated Germany and Spain.

But Costa Rica’s dream is quickly fading. Kai Havertz, who entered the field a few minutes ago, equalized the score three minutes later (2-2, 73^e).

The tired Costa Ricans left a gap and Havertz used the opportunity to score two goals to restore his team’s advantage (3-2, 85^e). After the fourth goal scored by Niklas Füllkrug (4-2, 89^e), the Germans know that only one Spanish goal can take them to the 1/8 finals. The Nationalmannschaft is still progressing, but they don’t have enough time to score five new goals. The Spanish’s saving grace will never come.

After ten minutes of extra time, France’s Stephanie Frappart, the first female referee of the World Cup, sends the two teams back to the locker room. Eight years after Germany became world champions in Brazil, they again crashed out in the first round.

In the 1/8 finals, Japan will face Croatia, and Spain will face Morocco.