Germany came back from 2-1 down against Costa Rica to win 4-2 but was still eliminated from the Qatar World Cup 2022 as Japan beat Spain 2-1 to finish on top in Group E.
Germany was knocked out of the Qatar World Cup 2022 for a second consecutive time despite a 4-2 win over Costa Rica on Thursday after the four-times champions settled for third in Group E following Japan's 2-1 victory over Spain.
Group E we will never forget you. ❤️ |
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)Germany knew they had to defeat Costa Rica, and they got off to the best possible start when Serge Gnabry headed in David Raum's exquisite cross. The next time Leon Goretska attempted to score with a header, Keylor Navas made a quick stop to prevent it.
Soon after Gnabry missed the post with a shot, Costa Rica nearly punished Germany for its missed opportunities, but Keysher Fuller was denied by Manuel Neuer's outstanding save in a one-on-one situation.
Yeltsin Tejeda of Costa Rica equalised the scores early in the second half as Japan unexpectedly took the lead against Spain, making the task for Germany much more difficult.
Antonio Rüdiger struck the post, and Jamal Musiala hit the woodwork twice, coming agonisingly close on three consecutive occasions as Hansi Flick's team rallied. However, Costa Rica miraculously took the lead through Juan Pablo Vargas instead of moving ahead on its own.
As if the night couldn't get any crazier, Germany equalised when Kai Havertz found himself in the box unmarked and kicked the ball into the ground, which caused it to ricochet over Navas.
Navas then made an incredible stop from close range on Leroy Sane to keep Costa Rica in the match. This topsy-turvy game went right down to the wire when Havertz had his brace, and substitute Niclas Füllkrug made it 4-2 right at the death. However, this win was not enough for Germany to qualify for the round of 16.
Japan pull off a stunning win over Spain
Spain completely dominated the first half, but Japan overcame this to win 2-1 stunningly. Spain chose Alvaro Morata as their customary number nine, which instantly paid dividends as the Atlético Madrid player headed in the opening goal after receiving a precise cross.
As Spain dominated possession and limited Japan to a few half-chances in the first half, Morata continued to provide a threat from inside the box.
After the break, Japan's high-intensity pressing punished Spain for sloppy passing by stealing the ball, which replacement Ritsu Doan skillfully finished. Almost shortly after, Japan put the ball in the back of the net once more, and a VAR review affirmed that Ao Tanaka's goal stood.
Minutes before the end, Dani Olmo came within inches of winning, but Japan held on thanks to an outstanding second-half performance to win Group E.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰𝒕 𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒔 🇯🇵 | pic.twitter.com/TiMUVUkz8m
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)Japan will now face Croatia in the round of 16 on December 5, while Spain has a tough challenge against Morocco on December 6.
Football fans went berserk following Germany's shocking elimination from World Cup 2022 and Japan's heroics that saw the men from the Land of the Rising Sun beat Hansi Flick's team and Luis Enrique's side in the group stages of the showpiece tournament.
From jokes and memes on Germany's exit to applauses for Japan, here's a look at how Twitter users reacted to nail-biting Group E action:
Let's laugh at Germany 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/dFf1t3cr92
— Troll Football (@Troll_Fotballl)Japan against Germany and Spain pic.twitter.com/gpDHyfrfhZ
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball)the world during those 3 minutes where both spain and germany were out pic.twitter.com/deMPPFbZ21
— 🇦🇷🇧🇷🇺🇾 (@mvrctz)Germany and Belgium are out of the World Cuppic.twitter.com/CuIVupI31o
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball)Germany are out of the in the group stage!! pic.twitter.com/h3bFEYn1Pw
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer)Japan beat Germany and Spain in the same , in the SAME Group.
And, Won the Group! Giant slayers. Japan is one of the biggest stories of this World Cup.
▪️ 2-1 comeback to beat Germany
▪️ 2-1 comeback to beat Spain
WHAT A STORY FOR JAPAN 💥 pic.twitter.com/doBEJ9iqdD
JAPAN TOP THE GROUP AND GERMANY ARE OUT 😱 pic.twitter.com/ZZt71aC37u
— B/R Football (@brfootball)Spain when asked to save Germany pic.twitter.com/LFg5uzZPfK
— BH (@MCFC__BH)No one on earth predicted Japan topping a group with Germany and Spain and Morocco topping a group with Belgium and Croatia, this World Cup is one for the history books man
— Trey (@UTDTrey)Germany should have concentrated on football instead of disrespecting a country's law. 👀 pic.twitter.com/3xj8BlWtJk
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys)So Germany really just took that World Cup from Messi and have been knocked out at the Group stage ever since 😭
— Trey (@UTDTrey)Germany came to Qatar pushing another agenda rather than playing football.
Got distracted in the first match & never recovered.
A big lesson 😫 pic.twitter.com/aVw7P16j5Z
Japan when they were drawn into a group with Spain and Germany:
pic.twitter.com/iWHvOyjo1P
Now you know how it feels, Germany. pic.twitter.com/spJdWKb9Em
— No Context Brits (@NoContextBrits)To me, the only problem that let Germany be out of the world cup is not the coach neither any player it's focusing on LGBT and forgetting football.
Ridiculous 💔 pic.twitter.com/HYIMZfuI1U
Germany paying for their sins💯 pic.twitter.com/M773SPalWB
— UpYourArsenal🔴⚪🔴⚪♥️ (@UPYOURARSENAL04)The streets will never forget those 3 minutes that Costa Rica and Japan nearly qualified from Group E, knocking out Spain and Germany 🤣 pic.twitter.com/6jdFcEOPUs
— Ali S (@RoyMustang786)Spain losing to Japan but kicking Germany out toopic.twitter.com/iSbyPR9wuf
— Xabhi ✪ (@FCB_Lad_)Japan kicks out Germany pic.twitter.com/rauP6USubu
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball)