Germany ahead Thomas Mueller mentioned his nation’s exit from the World Cup on the group stage for the second event in a row on Thursday was an “absolute disaster”.
The Germans beat Costa Rica 4-2 however Spain slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Japan that meant Germany completed third in Group E behind Spain, with the groups equal on 4 factors and the positions determined solely by aim distinction.
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“It is unbelievably bitter for us as a result of our end result would have been sufficient,” Mueller mentioned.
“It’s a sense of powerlessness.” Mueller was a part of the 2014 World Cup-winning workforce and was additionally within the facet that was eradicated on the similar stage 4 years in the past in Russia.
Germany took an early lead however briefly fell behind within the second half as coach Hansi Flick made a flurry of adjustments, reacting to the dwell rating of the Japan v Spain fixture.
The Germans began positively, with Flick’s all-Bayern Munich entrance line turning the screws early, battering the Costa Rica defence earlier than Serge Gnabry bought his head to a curling cross from Leipzig defender David Raum after 10 minutes to open the scoring.
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Midfielder Leon Goretzka nearly doubled Germany’s lead simply 5 minutes later however his header was straight at Keylor Navas.
Complacency started to creep into Germany’s recreation. Keysher Fuller, Costa Rica’s goal-scoring hero in a 1-0 win in opposition to Japan, compelled Manuel Neuer right into a fingertip save after some half-hearted defending from Raum and Antonio Ruediger.
Flick moved Kimmich again to his acquainted defensive midfield place at half-time, bringing on Lukas Klostermann on the expense of Goretzka, who like Kimmich began the match on a yellow.
Just seven minutes into the second half, phrase crept across the huge Lusail Stadium that Japan had scored two fast targets to take the lead in opposition to Spain, a end result which might drive Germany out of the event.
Flick reacted instantly, bringing on Niclas Fuellkrug and taking off one other midfielder in Ilkay Gundogan.
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Germany appeared disjointed as Costa Rica went on the counter on the 58-minute mark, the ball rebounding off Neuer and into the trail of Yeltsin Tejeda, who slammed it house.
Flick continued to chase the sport, making extra adjustments nevertheless it was Costa Rica who scored subsequent when Juan Pablo Vargas tapped a free kick previous Neuer to place his facet previous Spain and into the Round of 16. The aim was later recorded as an personal aim.
Germany hit again minutes later by way of Chelsea ahead Kai Havertz to attract degree.
Havertz scored once more within the 86th minute and Fuellkrug added one other within the 89th minute to deliver the rating to 4-2, however the facet’s focus remained nervously mounted on the group’s parallel fixture.
The night time ended with Germany shedding out to second-placed Spain as Japan unexpectedly gained the group.
It means Germany, who had not missed out on the knockout phases of a World Cup for 80 years till the 2018 event in Russia, have now been bundled out within the group stage for the second World Cup in a row.
