Germany knew ahead of their final group game that they needed to win to stand any chance of going through. Against Costa Rica, the alternative was unthinkable. Yet the die Mannschaft are staring a winless exit from the World Cup group stage in the face.
The German side looked good in the early stages of the match, taking the lead through Serge Gnabry. Jamal Musiala was looking mesmeric in midfield, creating almost at will.
Yet there were one or two incidents where Costa Rica got in behind some sloppy German defending. That was converted into an equaliser after Manuel Neuer failed to stop a first effort.
?? "Germany's world is collapsing all around them!"
? Tejeda levels it! ??#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/95Tnhe76mw
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 1, 2022
COSTA RICA TIES IT ?
As it stands, IF Costa Rica earns a win over Germany, both Spain and Germany would be eliminated ? pic.twitter.com/rTevEdfhqm
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
?? GOAL!
?? Yeltsin Tejeda gets Costa Rica back on level terms with Germany#LosTicos | #FIFAWorldCup
pic.twitter.com/CpETqVzgVU— Fast Footy Goals (@fast_footygoals) December 1, 2022
To the general disbelief of the world, Costa Rica managed a second not long after.
COSTA RICA TAKES THE LEAD ??
As it stands, Costa Rica is moving on to the knockout stage and both Spain and Germany are eliminated! pic.twitter.com/YY1uYb40jm
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
VARGAS GIVES COSTA THE LEAD AGAINST GERMANYpic.twitter.com/qZuYOhKMnS
— FIFA World Cup 2022 (@2022_QatarWC) December 1, 2022
? CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?
?? Vargas puts Costa Rica in front against the four-time World Champions!#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/kplUWp1mI9
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 1, 2022
Yet just five minutes later, Germany were back level through Chelsea star Kai Havertz.
GERMANY FINDS THE EQUALIZER ?
As it stands, Japan and Spain are through to the knockout stage!
GROUP E IS WILD ? pic.twitter.com/8dp2ugCH7z
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022
? They couldn't could they?
?? Havertz hands them hope!#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/J2WUY34Tw3
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 1, 2022
As things stand, with Japan in front against Spain, it helps neither side too much. Both Costa Rica and Germany will go out without a Spain eqiualiser.
