The biggest sporting event in the world continues with the Group E Costa Rica v Germany that is more critical than anyone would have thought before this tournament started.
With so many games and so little time, our Group E Costa Rica v Germany Match Centre tries to sum it all up as quickly as possible before and after the game and with just a hint of cynicism. If you wanted professional and/or good you’d be on the BBC website, not here. Essentially, we watch and follow the game so you don’t have to.
With answers to the key questions prior to the match and our Minutes that Mattered summary and stats post game, it is a real Who Cares guide to the 2022 World Cup for the person on the go.
Enjoy the Group E Costa Rica v Germany Match Centre.
KICKOFF -THURSDAY 1st DEC – 22:00 (QATAR) 19:00 (UK) 06:00 (AEDT)
Group E Costa Rica v Germany Match Summary
Below is a quick summary of where things stood as it happens while we were trying to watch the other game live.
Germany hit the lead in the 10th minute at about the same time as Spain took a 1-0 lead over Japan in the other game. Germany’s goal came from Serge Gnabry with an assist from David Raum. So as it stood with two 1-0 leads to the European giants at that stage, both of them are going through to the knockout stage.
It remained 1-0 until half time, and with the Spain-Japan result going their way, things were looking good for the Mannschaft.
Sensation from elsewhere as Japan score two quick goals against Spain around the 50th minute and that means that Spain drop to four points with Germany, but will keep second place on goal difference. So if Spain remain behind, Germany need to score another seven goals to go through even though they are winning.
To complete the misery from the Spain-Japan game, Costa Rica draw level through Tejeda. So add another goal to what Germany need. As it stands the Germans are going out at the group stage for the second World Cup in a row.
Sensation as Costs Rica take the lead!!!! Vargas scores in the 70th minute, which makes Germany’s task one goal harder, but also then lifts Costa Rica into second at the expense of Spain. Can you believe it? Spain and Germany currently out of the World Cup.
Three minutes later and Germany do Spain a favour as they draw level through Kai Havertz. It’s 2-2 but who knows what’s left in this crazy evening/morning.
Havertz makes it two goals in the 85th minute to give Germany the lead 3-2 which will give Spain a sigh of relief. As for Germany they just need another seven goals in ten minutes to go through.
Niclas Füllkrug makes it 4-2 which would be a nice score on a good day, but it has gone full time in the Spain v Japan clash and Japan have won. Germany are out of the World Cup at the Group Stage for the second time in a row.
Final Score
COSTA RICA 2
Tejeda 58′ Vargas 70′
GERMANY 4
Gnabry 10′, Havertz 73′ , Havertz 85′ , Füllkrug 89′
HT Germany 1-0
Player of the Match
Most of Costa Rica and a few Germans
Group E Costa Rica v Germany Match Stats
Group E Costa Rica v Germany Starting Teams
COSTA RICA (5-4-1)
1 Navas
4 Fuller
6 Duarte
19 Waston
3 Vargas
8 Oviedo
12 Campbell
5 Borges
17 Tejeda
20 Aguilera
11 Venegas
GERMANY (4-2-3-1)
1 Neuer
6 Kimmich
15 Süle
2 Rüdiger
3 Raum
8 Goretzka
21 Gündogan
19 Sané
14 Musiala
10 Gnabry
13 Müller
Group E Costa Rica v Germany Match Preview
Why should you care?
This game and situation sort of sums up the 2022 World Cup more than most. Somehow Germany have one point after two games but an still qualify. Somehow in Costa Rica, a team beaten 7-0 in their first game of the tournament, can win their next game to throw the group wide open, and even give themselves a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.
So for the neutral there’s many angles to look at and support.
But Germany did look their best of the tournament in the second half against Spain in the last fixture, so perhaps that was the turnaround point for Germany at this World Cup and Die Mannschaft start matching their reputation on field.
Who should you care about?
Not just because Niclas Füllkrug was the goal scorer for Germany in the last match, but his entry onto the field really did give Germany a buzz and lift them.
And a player identified before the tournament as one to watch, continues to demand eyes on him – Jamal Musiala. The young German player has shown glimpses of quality, and playing Costa Rica may give him more opportunities to shine.
Full 2022 World Cup Squads & Stats
Is there a barely interesting fact
Costa Rica have had just one shot on target this World Cup, and scored with it, giving them a 100% record for shots on target to goals. Ghana are next best with 83%.
Germany have lost just one of their six clashes v CONCACAF opposition at the World Cup, but that loss was the last match at the 2018 World Cup against Mexico.
Who will win?
Germany 4 Costa Rica 0
Full 2022 World Cup Predictions
What’s the table like before the game?
Team / Played / Points / Goals Scored / Goals Conceded / Goal Difference
| Spain | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| Japan | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Costa Rica | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 |
| Germany | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 |
