Even though Costa Rica have kept themselves in with a good chance of reaching the knockout stages at the 2022 World Cup, Germany now stand in their way.
LIVE: Follow Costa Rica vs. Germany updates from 2022 World Cup
A 1-0 win against Japan last time out for Costa Rica will have raised morale after their thumping 7-0 loss at the hands of Spain on matchday one, but even so, the bookmakers give the Central American side very little chance of securing a shock win here against Hansi Flick's side.
Germany have struggled in this tournament, as seen through their shock 2-1 loss to Japan who came from behind to defeat the 2014 winners.
Even after a better performance against Spain, in which they claimed a 1-1 draw, they still need to win here against Costa Rica and hope that their European counterparts do them a favour against Japan in order for them to qualify from Group E.
MORE: How to watch Costa Rica vs Germany at the World Cup
Costa Rica vs Germany odds
As said in the intro, the bookmakers give Costa Rica virtually no chance of defeating Germany in their final Group E outing.
At +2200 to secure a famous victory with BetMGM, the Central Americans come into this match with some of the steepest odds to win a game that we've seen in the whole tournament.
There are plenty of reasons for that.
Their 7-0 defeat to Spain is one, whilst Germany's squad depth is another. Although Flick's side have underwhelmed in this competition through their first two matches, they simply have to win here to have a chance of progression and we, along with the bookies, are backing them to claim three crucial points against Costa Rica.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica win | +2200 | 19.00 | 25/1 | 20/1 |
| Draw | +1000 | 9.00 | 9/1 | 9/1 |
| Germany win | -1000 | 1.09 | 1/14 | 1/10 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | +125 / -175 | 2.16 / 1.54 | 5/4, 4/7 | 5/4, 3/5 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals | -135 / -105 | 1.78 / 1.97 | 8/11, 1/1 | 3/10, 23/10 |
| Germany -2.5 | -130 | 1.83 | — | — |
| Costa Rica +2.5 | -110 | 1.95 | — | — |
Costa Rica vs Germany: 3 things to know
Costa Rica vs Germany team news
For Costa Rica, boss Luis Fernando Suarez will likely stick with the majority of the same side who won against Japan on matchday two with key striker Anthony Contreras shaking off a minor injury in the buildup to this contest. That said, left-back Francisco Calvo is suspended and will need to be replaced.
After his goal off the bench against Spain, Niclas Fullkrug could come into the starting lineup, with Germany's first-choice forward line struggling for goals in Qatar. Coach Flick may also look to refresh his back line with Lukas Klostermann a possible starter in defence in place of Thilo Kehrer at right-back.
MORE: Full injury tracker for all 32 teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Costa Rica vs Germany key stats
- These two sides will meet for just the second time, the first seeing Germany win 4-2 at the 2006 World Cup.
- If they manage to upset the odds here and grab the win, Costa Rica will have won consecutive World Cup matches for just the second time.
- Germany have failed to win either of their opening two World Cup group-stage matches for the first time ever.
Costa Rica vs Germany match facts
- Date: Thursday, December 1
- Kickoff Time: 2 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. GMT / 6 a.m. AEDT (Fri, Dec. 2)
- Location: Al Bayt Stadium
- Official: Stephanie Frappart (France)
Match officials designations @FIFAWorldCup - Group E - 1 December 2022, Al Bayt Stadium
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) November 29, 2022
CRC🇨🇷🆚GER🇩🇪
Referee: Stéphanie FRAPPART 🇫🇷
AR 1: Neuza BACK 🇧🇷
AR 2: Karen DIAZ MEDINA 🇲🇽
4th: Said MARTINEZ 🇭🇳
1/2 pic.twitter.com/TzvVlWx7pv
History will be made during this match between Costa Rica and Germany as referee Stephanie Frappart will become the first female official to take charge of a match at the men's World Cup. She will be joined by assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz Medina for the Group E match.
Costa Rica vs Germany prediction
- Moneyline lean: Germany to win (-1000)
- Against the spread lean: Germany -2.5 (-130)
- Score prediction: Costa Rica 0-4 Germany
Whilst they've played below par so far at the 2022 World Cup, expect Germany to make amends here as they try to qualify from the competitive Group E.
Looking to avoid a winless World Cup campaign for the first time in their history, Germany should prove far too strong for Costa Rica, who lost 7-0 on matchday one to a similar standard of opposition in Spain. Los Ticos can still qualify from the group themselves but with Germany's wealth of attacking options, they'll find the going extremely tough.
Since he became Germany manager, boss Hansi Flick has overseen 18 internationals matches in which Germany have averaged scoring 2.7 times per match. They've also struck four or more goals in six of those matches, most notably hitting Italy for five back in June, so if shouldn't surprise if they hit a similar total in this Group E decider.
MORE: Group E: How things stand for Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica
Costa Rica vs Germany: best bet
- Pick: Germany to score more than 2.5 goals
- Odds: -200 (BetMGM)
Logic surely dictates that Germany will pass the 2.5 goals scored threshold here with relative ease. Flick's side drew 1-1 with Spain last time out who in turn put seven past Costa Rica on the opening matchday.
We know that football isn't always that simple, but you'll be hard pressed to find many fans who aren't expecting them to clear the over 2.5 total here.
As mentioned before, Flick's 18 matches in charge of Germany have seen his side net an average of 2.7 goals per game, which will give them hope they can do similar here as they attempt to claw their way out of Group E.
Costa Rica vs Germany flier bet
- Pick: Jamal Musiala to score multiple goals
- Odds: +650 (BetMGM)
Bayern Munich rising star Jamal Musiala has arguably been Germany's player of the tournament, though he's still yet to find the net at the 2022 World Cup.
That could and probably should change here against Costa Rica's weak back line, who showed their vulnerability against Spain in that 7-0 loss.
With nine goals across his 14 Bundesliga appearances this campaign, Musiala is overdue a goal for Germany at this tournament, especially given the fact he scored in four of his last five club league outings before the World Cup break.
With a team-high six successful dribbles, he's finding a way to get past opposition defences and into shooting opportunities but he must improve on his one shot on target through two tournament matches in this final group game.
Costa Rica vs Germany live stream, TV channel
MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)
| Date | Time | TV Channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Thu, Dec 1 | 14:00 ET | FS1 Universo | fuboTV, Fox Sports site/app, Universo Now, Peacock |
| Canada | Thu, Dec 1 | 14:00 ET | TSN 1, RDS 2 (French) | TSN site/app, RDS app |
| UK | Thu, Dec 1 | 19:00 GMT | ITV, STV | ITVX, STV Player |
| Australia | Fri, Dec. 2 | 06:00 AEDT | SBS VICELAND | SBS On Demand |
| India | Thu, Dec 1 | 00:30 IST | Sports 18 HD | Voot, JioTV |
| Hong Kong | Thu, Dec 1 | 03:00 HKT | Now TV (Ch. 617, 619) | Now TV |
| Malaysia | Thu, Dec 1 | 03:00 MYT | Astro FIFA World Cup 2 | Astro GO |
| Singapore | Thu, Dec 1 | 03:00 SGT | StarHub TV FIFA World Cup, Singtel FIFA World Cup 141 | Singtel TV GO, CAST, StarHub TV+, MeWatch |
| New Zealand | Fri, Dec. 2 | 08:00 NZDT | Sky Sport 1 NZ | Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW |
