Germany and Costa Rica went through all the emotions Thursday night in a thrilling duel that ended in a spectacular 2-4 victory for the Mannschaft. An insufficient success for the Germans who collect 4 points in this group E, like Spain – battle against Japan -, but with a less significant difference (+1) than that of the Roja (+6).
The Germans put their foot on the accelerator very quickly in this meeting and found the way to the goal from the 10th minute via Serge Gnabry (10th). Perhaps overconfident, the Germans wasted for the rest of the first half and left the Costa Ricans in the game.
The Central Americans first missed the equalizer before the break before leveling against the run of play via Yeltsin Tejeda (58e).
Surprise, Germany reacted harshly but hit the post three times via she had to (60th and 68th) and Ruediger (61e).
Groggy but alive, the Costa Ricans struck against a few minutes later. John Paul Vargas took advantage of an error Neuer to make it 2-1 and make the Costa Rican public completely euphoric (70th)
Thanks to this goal, the Ticos were indeed virtually qualified for the eighth with Japan, who led 2-1 against Spain at the same time.
The Costa Rican illusion only lasted three minutes, Kaï Havertz equalizing in the 73rd minute. The Chelsea striker put the cover back in the 85th (2-3) before Füllkrug made it 2-4 in stoppage time (90th + 1) to record the German victory.
A success with a bitter taste therefore for the Mannschaft, exiting in the group stage of the world for the second consecutive time.