It was South Korea who did the damage in Russia in 2018, sending Germany home after the group stages. Now, in Qatar four years later, the four-time world champions could hardly look anywhere else as they surveyed the wreckage after another premature exit from the world stage.
Add in their meagre surrender to England in the last-16 of last summer’s European Championship and recent tournaments certainly haven’t been happy hunting grounds for Germany. They have now fell short of expectations in their last three tournaments. Their World Cup win in 2014 now feels a very long time ago
In terms of the shock factor, this elimination from a group consisting of themselves, Spain, Costa Rica and Japan is probably the biggest. They shot themselves in the foot against Japan in the opening game, making hard work of what should have been a relatively straightforward group stage. A draw with Spain offered them a lifeline, but that didn’t prove enough.
Hansi Flick knew his team had to defeat Costa Rica to stand a chance of progressing into the knockout phase and they managed to achieve that despite seeing their first-half lead overturned but then rallying to finish as 4-2 victors.
However, it was events in the other group game between Japan and Spain that did for them. Japan sprung the biggest upset since their opening game by coming from behind to defeat Spain. This World Cup of surprises delivered another and left the greatest impact. It was Japan who finished top of Group E and Spain joined them in the last 16 as runners-up. For Germany, they will leave Doha with their tail between their legs.
Story of the game
It had all started so well for Germany. They were sharp and full of intent with Keylor Navas making saves from Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry within the opening four minutes. It was one-way traffic and that told on the scoreboard when David Raum broke down the left, whipped a cross for Gnabry and he glanced a header into the far corner.
Germany were in control and holding their side of the bargain. Navas denied Leon Goretzka’s header from close range and the Costa Rica ‘keeper also had to be alert to Joshua Kimmich’s shot from distance which swerved in the air. Navas spilt the shot but scrambled to tidy up.
Flick will have longed for his side to add a second and double their advantage, and Gnabry went close when wrapping his foot around the ball to swing a shot just wide of the post. Costa Rica were lucky to get to the break just one goal behind, but Luis Fernando Suarez’s side did create one or two late chances of their own.
Bryan Oviedo crossed for Joel Campbell but the former Arsenal forward scuffed his shot horribly wide. Then Raum allowed the ball to bounce and Keysher Fuller latched on to it, smashing a shot at goal which Manuel Neuer brushed over with his fingertips.
That may have given Germany cause for concern, but they began the second half as they had the first. There was little sign of an equaliser coming, but it did. On 58 minutes, Fuller advanced down the right and floated an inviting cross into the Germany area. Kendall Watson roared in to smash a header at Neuer which the ‘keeper parried. Yeltsin Tejeda followed up to score from five yards out.
Bedlam ensued at Al Bayt with the partisan crowd making themselves heard. Events across town saw Japan overturn Spain’s first-half lead and made it all the nervier for Germany. Flick’s team did strike the post three times in less than five minutes with Musiala (twice) and Antonio Rudiger going close.
It was in the 70th minute that a shock emerged. Campbell lofted in a high ball which Watson headed back across goal. The ball fell for Johan Venegas who poked it past Neuer. VAR approved it and sent shockwaves through the German ranks.
Germany were only behind for three minutes, however, and Kai Havertz coming off the bench did make a difference. Costa Rica failed to clear their lines and Niclas Fullkrug, another substitute, flicked it onto Havertz and the Germany forward proceeded to lift a shot over the advancing Navas.
Then the Costa Rica ‘keeper denied Fullkrug as he threw himself in the way of the striker’s effort to save with his forehead. Havertz scored his second by dispatching Gnabry’s centre and a fourth came late on when Kimmich played a lovely quarterback-style ball from deep, Leroy Sane chested it down for Fullkrug who lashed home. An offside flag was raised initially but VAR corrected the decision.
Rarely has a victory felt like such a harrowing defeat for Germany. It was all over bar the tears, and questions as to why they're heading home prematurely once more will be asked.
Player of the match: Stephanie Frappart
The French referee made history by becoming the first female official to referee a men's World Cup match. Frappart has been one of the best referees in Europe in recent years, officiating superbly in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and impressed on her World Cup debut. Hopefully, this is the first of many for her and other female officials.
