The Germans secured a win, yet their campaign stalled and they failed to move on.
For a second consecutive World Cup, Germany exited in the group stage. They did win 4-2 on the penultimate matchday, but Spain’s surprising late result elevated their foe and left Germany with no mathematical path forward.
The Bayt Stadium hosted a match that lived up to the tournament’s drama. Germany kicked off with intent, while Luis Enrique’s side answered with resilience, and both teams moved into a tight contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats as the group became increasingly unpredictable.
Late in the game, football once again showed its unpredictable magic. In a brief spell, Japan turned a deficit into a lead against Spain, while Costa Rica and Germany traded goals, intensifying the pressure on the leaders. By the time the clock reached seventy minutes, Vargas was standing over a free ball in front of Neuer and converted to make it 2-1, keeping hope alive for a lifeline for Germany and Costa Rica.
The Spain–Japan clash remained tense as Germany pushed forward and finally found a way through. Kai Havertz struck twice, at 73 and 84 minutes, and a later strike from another German attacker widened the gap. With the clock winding down, Germany stood poised to overtake Spain, but a late goal narrowly shifted the balance again and left Germany needing one more goal to advance.
Qatar World Cup 2022: when it starts, where it is, how it will be played and participating teams
GOALS, VIDEOS AND SUMMARY
Final score: Germany 4, Costa Rica 2. Despite the victory, Germany was eliminated in the group stage for the second World Cup in a row.
Highlights of Germany’s 4-2 win over Costa Rica were aired in the final group match of Group E at #QatarOnDIRECTV. The outcome marked a bittersweet farewell for Die Mannschaft as they bowed out of the tournament at the group stage for a second consecutive cycle.
What happened to Die Mannschaft in recent years has been the subject of much discussion among fans and media alike, fueling debates about talent, form, and team cohesion.
87′: Germany found the net again as Niclas Füllkrug converted to make it 4-2, leaving them hoping for a Spain result to qualify.
84′: Havertz added a second, further boosting Germany’s bid to progress.
73′: Havertz leveled the game, briefly restoring balance before the late surge from Germany.
70′: Costa Rica drew first blood with a composed finish by Vargas after a rare error by Neuer.
66′: Musiala’s strike hit the post as Germany pressed, but the effort did not yield a goal.
58′: Yeltsin Tejeda equalized for Costa Rica, heightening the tension around the group as the clock ticked down.
This Costa Rican side, led by Luis Fernando Suárez, again carried real hopes of making a run to the knockout rounds in the Qatar edition of the tournament.
42′: Costa Rica nearly capitalized on a defensive lapse from Germany, but Neuer’s experience kept the ball out and the danger neutralized.
39′: Serge Gnabry sought a second goal, but his attempt narrowly missed as the ball curled wide of the post.
35′: Musiala created a promising chance, but the finish lacked the required precision to convert.
34′: Kimmich’s long-range effort tested Keylor Navas, who held on through traffic in front of the Costa Rican goal.
13′: Keylor Navas denied a potential second German goal with a superb save on a powerful header from Goretzka.
9′: Gnabry opened the scoring with a header after a precise cross from Raum, briefly lifting Germany toward the knockout phase.
1′: Referee Stéphanie Frappart signaled play, and Costa Rica prepared for a bold late-match challenge against the four-time world champions.
Germany faced the task of fending off a determined Costa Rica with a lineup that showcased depth and ambition.
STATISTICS
Source: Goal