The Samurai of Japan finished top of Group E after fighting to a 2-1 victory over Spain to reach the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Germany will be going home after failing to qualify for the round of 16.
Costa Rica are also out of the World Cup! Again, Germany fell in the group-stage despite Havertz’s brace to put them back in front here is in vain.
Germany did their best but they were always relying on a favour from Spain, which was not forthcoming. Goals from Havertz, Fullkrug and Gnabry meant they won this game, but the damage was done in that opening defeat to the Japanese.
Los Ticos put on a good account of themselves at this World Cup, and can be proud of what they’ve done.
Both Costa Rica and Germany played a frantic game from start to finish, both in the positive and negative sense, letting Costa Rica into the next round and out of it, putting themselves within touching distance and then as far away as possible.
🔴LIVE
KICK-OFF: Japan 2-1 Spain
KICK-OFF: Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
GOAL! Costa Rica 2-3 Germany | Kai Havertz 85′
GERMANY BACK IN FRONT!
They’re doing all they can. Gnabry with a great cross in, Havertz there at the back post to finish well.
One goal from Spain now and Germany will be through.
GOAL! Costa Rica 2-1 Germany | Juan Pablo Vargas 70′
Costa Rica free-kick, they’ll put this into the box. One goal away from sending themselves through and Spain out.
AND THEY HAVE IT! COSTA RICA TAKE THE LEAD!
Incredible. Lobbed into the box, it’s an absolute mess in the six-yard box but Vargas finds a way to bundle it in.
GOAL! Costa Rica 2-1 Germany | Juan Pablo Vargas 70′
Costa Rica free-kick, they’ll put this into the box. One goal away from sending themselves through and Spain out.
AND THEY HAVE IT! COSTA RICA TAKE THE LEAD!
Incredible. Lobbed into the box, it’s an absolute mess in the six-yard box but Vargas finds a way to bundle it in.
GOAL! Costa Rica 1-1 Germany | Yeltsin Tejeda 58′
ASTONISHING! COSTA RICA ARE LEVEL!
Fuller with the ball in, initial header is saved but it’s just pushed out to Tejeda who hammers it into the empty net.
Germany are heading out of the World Cup!
Another Goalllllllll For Japan (49 mins)
Tanaka puts Japan ahead!
It’s that man Doan again. His ball across the face of the goal is kept in by Mitoma who’s pass is bundled in by Tanaka.
49 mins: Japan 2-1 Spain
Goallllllllllllllll!
Doan scores the equaliser for Japan!
The changes pay immediate dividends – Japan are level!
Unai Simon hasn’t covered himself in glory here. The Spain goalkeeper is loose in possession, not for the first time this evening, and plays a rather formless pass out to the left.
Ritsu Doan picks it up, cuts infield and unfurls a fierce strike from 25 yards. Simon gets both gloves to it, but can only palm into the back of the net.
HALF TIME! JAPAN 1-1 SPAIN
HT: Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
Real chance for Costa Rica to break right at the end of the half, Campbell slows it up though and the half-time whistle goes. What a waste.
Well Germany were utterly dominant for about 99% of that half, could have been four or five goals up.
But Costa Rica should really have equalised through Fuller… somehow they’re still in this! Gnabry’s goal the only difference at half-time.
Spain dominating possession
Even by the standards of Spain’s possession-stye football, the possession stats from the game are eye-popping. Japan’s players have barely held on to the ball.
Japan can’t keep hold of the ball
We all know Spain are good on the ball but they are equally adept at winning the ball back. Japan haven’t been able to string more than a couple of passes together in the Spain half.
33 mins: Japan 0-1 Spain
Musiala puts it well wide
He wriggles past a couple of defenders before shooting from around 15 yards, but it’s nowhere near the far side of the goal he was aiming for.
38 mins: Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
GOAL! 11 mins: Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
Gnabry puts his team ahead with a close range header! Raum supplied the assist with an inviting cross from the right hand side.
Goal! 11 mins: Japan 0-1 Spain
Morata scores for Spain!
Japan 0-0 Spain, 1 minute
Japan begin with a back five, with Junya Ito on the right and Yuto Nagatomo on the left, both immediately withdrawn into defensive positions. A second bank of four sit in front of them – Daizen Maeda could have a long night of chasing up front.
All-female referee team
It’s an historic night in the Al Bayt stadium as an all-female refereeing team will oversee a match at the World Cup for the first time. France’s Stéphanie Frappart is the one with the cards in her pocket, and is supported by Neuza Back of Brazil and Mexico’s Karen Díaz Medina.
A win would mean Spain will retain the top spot in Group E, but a loss could threaten their chances of qualification if Germany beat Costa Rica by a massive margin.
But Spain has registered a win against Asian opponents in their previous 5 encounters a streak they would like to continue.
Apex Football News 