Costa Rica vs Germany result: Six-goal thriller ends in vain for 2014 World Cup champions as they exit in group stage

Germany have been knocked out in the group stages for the second successive World Cup.

Despite a comfortable win on the night, it is scant consolation for another dark day in the history of Germany football.

Germany came from behind to stroll to a 4-2 victory against Costa Rica, yet the 2014 champions crashed out of the 2022 World Cup.

Hansi Flick’s side dominated the first half, with over 60 per cent possession, and held a comfortable 1-0 lead from a Serge Gnabry header. However, like previously in the tournament, they had also been quite wasteful in front of goal and their inability to convert chances in the opening 45 minutes left the door open for Costa Rica to claw their way back into the affair.

And Costa Rica made the Germans pay for their inefficiency.

In the second half, against the run of play, Costa Rica equalised through Yeltsin Tejeda, who bundled home a rebound to throw Group E into disarray.

At the same time, Japan took the lead against Spain, which meant that Germany would be eliminated regardless of their result.

Costa Rica then took the lead through another scrappy goal when Vargas finished his effort.

However, Flick made a double substitution with Havertz and Fullkrug coming on and the match turned on its head.

Havertz scored twice to put the Germans in front before Fullkrug added a late fourth.

However, with Germany depending on Japan’s result, Flick’s side were ultimately eliminated from the tournament.

Key moment of Costa Rica vs Germany — Havertz & Fullkrug substitution

Flick’s side looked wasteful in front of goal despite dominating possession for majority of the game. Moreover, once Costa Rica took the lead, it appeared to have knocked the wind out of Germany’s sails.

But with Havertz and Fullkrug on, the match instantly turned on its head as the Germans eased to a comfortable, albeit frustrating, win.

Costa Rica vs Germany player of the match — Jamal Musiala

From a disappointing tournament, Musiala is the rare shining light.

Every German attack came through the 19-year-old, whose ability to shoulder the responsibility and take on players fearlessly defies his tender years.

He was unlucky not to get a goal on the night, having also hit the woodwork, but if his nation have anything positive to take away from Qatar 2022 it is that Musiala is already the real deal, even on the grandest stage of world football.

To put his performance into context, Musiala completed 12 dribbles against Costa Rica, the most on record for a teenager in World Cup history (1966 onwards).

Costa Rica vs Germany key statistic

Since being knocked out of Euro 2016, Germany have not only conceded in every tournament game they’ve played, they’ve gone behind at some point in all 11 of them.

What does this mean?

Japan, surprisingly, top Group E with six points after their 2-1 victory against Spain.

Germany are eliminated with Spain dropping down into second place.

As group winners, Japan will face Croatia on Monday, December 5 in a 3pm GMT kick-off (10am ET, 7am PT) at Al Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah.

Spain will face Morocco the following day in a 3pm GMT kick-off (10am ET, 7am PT) at Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan.

Plot the route to the final with The Athletic’s World Cup bracket.

GO DEEPER

Germany 4-2 Costa Rica: Flick’s side crash out at group stage again, Musiala is rare bright spark

(Photo: Getty Images)