Costa Rica vs Germany final score, result: Four-time winners out of World Cup despite gripping victory

Simon Borg

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Andrew Haslam

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Costa Rica vs Germany final score, result: Four-time winners out of World Cup despite gripping victory image

Germany failed to progress from their group for the second successive World Cup despite concluding Group E with an entertaining 4-2 win against Costa Rica.

The four-time winners, who were eliminated at the first hurdle as holders at Russia 2018, scored three times in the final 17 minutes to finally see off a Costa Rica side who held their own ambitions of progressing to the round of 16. However, Japan's win against Spain in the other game meant those two sides qualified at the expense of Germany.

Needing to win to have any chance of staying in the tournament, Germany started at breakneck speed with Jamal Musiala particularly prominent early on. Thomas Muller headed wide Joshua Kimmich's cross but less than a minute later Germany were in front, Serge Gnabry applying a clever flicked header to David Raum's cross.

If that looked likely to herald a glut of Germany goals, Keylor Navas had other ideas, denying Leon Goretzka and Kimmich while Gnabry curled just wide as the European side controlled the game without being able to add to their lead.

Germany nearly paid the price as halftime approached, Raum and Antonio Rudiger making a mess of a clearance to leave Keysher Fuller with only Manuel Neuer to beat, the Germany goalkeeper sticking up a hand to turn the ball over the bar.

With news coming through that Japan had scored twice to take the lead against Spain, Germany's hopes were fading fast, and when Neuer parried Kendall Waston's header and Yeltsin Tejeda smashed in, they looked to be all but over.

Costa Rica, in contrast, were revived, and they were in dreamland with 20 minutes left as Juan Vargas scrambled in from a free-kick. That goal meant Japan and Costa Rica were heading through, but the celebrations had barely died down before Niclas Fullkrug had played in fellow substitute Kai Havertz to level at 2-2.

Germany continued to pour forward, Navas saving from Fullkrug with his face, but the goalkeeper was beaten for a third time as Gnabry set up Havertz for his second of the evening. Fullkrug then tapped in a late fourth, awarded after a VAR check, but Germany's fate was already sealed thanks to Japan's triumph.

Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights for Costa Rica vs Germany at the 2022 World Cup. Follow below for complete results from the Group E match in Qatar.

MORE: Japan beat Spain to win Group E

Costa Rica vs Germany final score

  1H 2H Final
Costa Rica 0 2 2
Germany 1 3 4

Goals:
GER — Fullkrug (89')
GER — Havertz (85')
GER — Havertz (73')
CRC — Vargas (70')
CRC — Tejeda (58')
GER — Gnabry (10')

Confirmed lineups:

Costa Rica (5-3-2, right to left): 1-Navas (GK) — 4-Fuller (9-Bennette 74'), 6-Duarte, 18-Waston, 3-Vargas, 8-Oviedo (7-Contreras 90+3')— 5-Borges, 17-Tejeda (24-Wilson 90+3'), 20-Aguilera (14-Salas 46') — 12-Campbell, 11-Venegas (22-Matarrita 74')

Germany (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Neuer (GK) — 6-Kimmich, 15-Sule (4-Ginter 90+3'), 2-Rudiger, 3-Raum (11-Gotze 66') — 21-Gundogan (9. Fullkrug 55'), 8-Goretzka (16-Klostermann 46') — 10-Gnabry, 14-Musiala, 19-Sane — 13-Muller (7-Havertz 66')

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

Team PTS GP W L D GF GA GD
1. Japan 6 3 2 1 0 4 3 +1
2. Spain 4 3 1 1 1 9 3 +6
3. Germany 4 3 1 1 1 6 5 +1
4. Costa Rica 3 3 1 2 0 3 11 -8

Costa Rica vs Germany live updates, highlights from 2022 World Cup

FULLTIME: It's all over and Germany are out, as are Costa Rica. Hansi Flick's side did what they could tonight, sweeping away Costa Rica late on, but Japan's win against Spain means it is those two teams who will progress to the round of 16.

90+10 mins: Jamal Musiala's performance has deserved a goal but he can't get one here, cleverly working space for a left-foot effort only for the shot to deflect off a defender and loop up for Keylor Navas to catch.

90+8 mins: We're getting news that Japan have beaten Spain, meaning they will finish first in Group E with Spain in second place. Germany are going out.

90+6 mins: Great leap from Niclas Fullkrug at the far post to meet Kai Havertz's teasing cross, but he's unable to keep his header down.

90+3 mins: We're already well into added time, of which there will be ten minutes, as Keylor Navas denies Kai Havertz a hat-trick.

GOAL! 89 mins: Niclas Fullkrug has the ball in the net again, as Leroy Sane squares Joshua Kimmich's ball over the top for a tap-in, but the flag is up. After a VAR check, however, the goal is given!

(US only)

GOAL! 85 mins: Germany are back in front! Serge Gnabry drifts a cross in and Kai Havertz applies another neat finish to give his side a fighting chance. Germany now need a Spain goal!

(US only)

83 mins: Jamal Musiala has been Germany's brightest talent tonight, dribbling into the Costa Rica area but he cannot keep his effort down.

80 mins: Both sides are throwing men forward as we enter the final ten minutes. Costa Rica need one goal, Germany need one and at least one for Spain.

76 mins: How are Germany not in front? They break at lightning pace, Leroy Sane charging down the left and playing the ball across for Niclas Fullkrug, whose shot hits a sprawling Keylor Navas in the face and sails over!

75 mins: That means that Costa Rica are back down to third place, behind Japan and Spain. Germany's fate rests on the result of the other game, although that would be irrelevant if they don't win here.

GOAL! 73 mins: Germany have gone straight back down the other end and levelled, Kai Havertz collecting the ball in the area and waiting for Keylor Navas to commit himself before lifting the ball over the goalkeeper.

(US only)

GOAL! 70 mins: Can you believe it, Costa Rica are in front! It's one of the scrappiest goals they'll ever score but could be one of the most significant, Juan Pablo Vargas forcing in from close range!

(US only)

69 mins: Serge Gnabry goes down in the penalty area. There's a few half-hearted Germany appeals, but the player himself doesn't react.

POST! Germany have hit the same post for the third time in less than ten minutes, Jamal Musiala curling a shot beyond Navas only for it to come back off the upright.

65 mins: David Raum delivers an inviting ball across the penalty area but no one has gambled on the cross and it flies across the face of goal.

63 mins: The fact Japan are winning means Costa Rica have a chance of qualifying themselves now, if they can find another goal.

62 mins: And now Thomas Muller goes close, the ball deflecting wide for a corner... From which Antonio Rudiger hurls himself at Joshua Kimmich's low cross, his shot clipping the outside of the post!

POST! 61 mins: Germany are attempting to respond to a series of blows in quick succession, Jamal Musiala's low shot beating Keylor Navas but not the upright!

GOAL! 58 mins: Costa Rica are level! They come forward down the right and Kendall Waston's header is only parried by Manuel Neuer, who cannot react quickly enough to keep out Yeltsin Tejeda's followup effort!

(US only)

55 mins: Another Germany substitution, Niclas Fullkrug coming on for Ilkay Gundogan in an attacking change. Japan's second goal has just been shown on the big screen, to quite a response.

54 mins: Japan are now in front against Spain, which spells big trouble for both of these sides.

50 mins: Well now! Japan have levelled against Spain, which means Germany, as it stands, are heading out. They can't do anything about the result of the other game, of course; they just need to make sure they win this one. It's also bad news for Costa Rica, would could progress with a draw if Japan lose.

49 mins: Germany have picked up where they left off in the first half, pressing back their opponents. They'll want to get a second goal as quickly as possible to ease any nerves.

46 mins: Costa Rica kick off and it's one change apiece at the break. Lukas Klostermann has replaced Leon Goretzka for Germany, while Youstin Salas is on for Brandon Aguilera for Costa Rica.

HALFTIME: Germany are doing what they need to at the halfway stage but haven't scored the goals they should have done and they lived dangerously towards the end of that first half. Costa Rica have offered very little in attack, but they're still very much in this one.

45 mins: Germany have had a couple of real scares in the last five minutes but look to reassert themselves at the other end, Leroy Sane lashing a shot over.

42 mins: Oh my days! What a chance for Keysher Fuller as David Raum and Antonio Rudiger make an absolute mess of a clearance, leaving the hero against Japan with only Manuel Neuer to beat. He connects sweetly with the shot, but the Germany captain is able to tip it over with his right hand. What a save that is.

(US only)

39 mins: Germany should be at least a couple of goals up here, and Thomas Muller sets Serge Gnabry for a curling effort that flies just past the post.

(US only)

36 mins: Lovely turn from Jamal Musiala, spinning on to his left foot and opening up the goal... only to drag his shot wide of the target!

35 mins: It's nevertheless been a busy first half for Keylor Navas, who spills a long-range effort from Joshua Kimmich and gathers at the second attempt with Leon Goretzka closing in.

32 mins: Germany looked like they were going to run in a hatful of goals with the pace they started, but they're definitely more becalmed in the last 10 minutes or so. And it's still only 1-0...

29 mins: A half-decent chance for Costa Rica as Joel Campbell spreads the ball wide to Bryan Oviedo on the left wing but cannot make a connection on the subsequent cross under pressure from David Raum.

26 mins: All too easy for Germany at the moment, although Costa Rica are getting numbers back inside their own penalty area, which is making it hard for Germany to get through. Jamal Musiala has a shot blocked inside a packed box.

23 mins: A collector's item:

20 mins: Germany look like scoring with every attack. Leroy Sane slips in Serge Gnabry down the left, and Juan Pablo Vargas has to put it behind for a corner with Thomas Muller lurking.

18 mins: Costa Rica getting a bit of time on the ball at last, although they're yet to put together a move of any note. They may just be happy to have taken the pressure off a bit.

15 mins: The chances just keep coming for Germany and against it's a midfielder getting into the box. This time it's Leon Goretzka, getting on the end of an Ilkay Gundogan cross and making decent contact with his head only to direct the ball straight at Keylor Navas, who parries.

13 mins: More good news for Germany; Spain have scored against Japan, meaning they would top the group with Germany second if things stay the same.

GOAL! 10 mins: It's been coming since kickoff and Germany are in front now. David Raum delivers a cross from the left and Serge Gnabry gets ahead of his marker at the near post to divert a header across Keylor Navas and inside the far post.

(US only)

9 mins: Another Germany chance goes begging, Joshua Kimmich picking out Thomas Muller from the right. His Bayern Munich teammate has all the time in the world having stolen in between two defenders, but directs his header wide.

7 mins: Jamal Musiala is involved in everything at the moment and dribbles his way into the penalty area, Costa Rica unable to get the ball off him. The 19-year-old probably overplays, however, and Leon Goretzka is unable to direct his effort on target as he loses his balance.

(US only)

5 mins: Keylor Navas and Jamal Musiala are involved again, the Germany midfielder pushing a pass through for Serge Gnabry to drive in a shot from the left angle, although the flag is up in any case.

2 mins: Germany on the front foot from the first whistle, Keylor Navas diving to his left to push behind Jamal Musiala's effort.

KICKOFF: Germany get us started. A reminder that they begin the day bottom of Group E on one point and must win to have any chance of avoiding a second successive group stage exit. Costa Rica revived their hopes with an unexpected victory against Japan last time out but will qualify with a win while even a draw could do depending on the result of Spain's game agaist Japan.

5 mins to kickoff: The teams come out on to the pitch and this crucial fixture is moments away.

10 mins to kickoff: Germany have failed to win their first two games at a World Cup for the first time since 1938, and have managed only one win in the tournament since lifting the trophy eight years ago.

Costa Rica are appearing in their sixth World Cup, all since 1990 and are aiming to reach the knockout rounds for the third time. Their best performance came in 2014, when they reached the quarter-finals before losing to the Netherlands on penalties.

15 mins to kickoff: A contrast in styles this evening, it's safe to say:

20 mins to kickoff: Germany's only other game against Costa Rica also came at a World Cup, Miroslav Klose scoring twice in a 4-2 victory in Munich in the 2006 group stage with Philipp Lahm and Torsten Frings getting the other goals.

25 mins to kickoff: Stephanie Frappart in focus:

30 mins to kickoff: There's a notable World Cup first this evening as Stephanie Frappart becomes the first woman to referee a men's World Cup game, alongside an all-female officiating team — in another tournament first — as FIFA aims to break down an important barrier.

Frappart rose through the ranks of football refereeing in her native France, taking charge of Ligue 2 games and the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015 and 2019, before officiating the final of the latter, between the USA and the Netherlands.

Find out more about her career.

35 mins: Anyone else think Oliver Bierhoff is wishing he was playing?

45 mins to kickoff: A World Cup landmark for a World Cup great:

50 mins to kickoff: Just one change for Germany and it's an attacking one, with Leroy Sane coming in for Thilo Kehrer. That could mean Joshua Kimmich dropping to rightback.

Despite beating Japan last time out Costa Rica make three changes, Juan Pablo Vargas, Brandon Aguilera and Johan Venegas coming in for Francisco Calvo, Gerson Torres and Anthony Contreras.

1 hr to kickoff: And here's the Costa Rica side for their concluding Group E game:

1 hr 5 mins from kickoff: Costa Rica have arrived at the Al Bayt stadium as well, looking as focused as you would expect:

1 hr 10 mins from kickoff: Germany have named their team for this one:

1 hr 15 mins from kickoff: The venue for tonight's game, which will be the last at Qatar 2022 for one of these sides.

1 hr 20 mins from kickoff: A big night for Costa Rican football, but the key takeaway is how comfortable those armchairs look!

1 hr 30 mins from kickoff: Germany getting in the mood...

2 hrs from kickoff: Morocco beat Canada 2-1 to qualify from Group F as winners, while Croatia's 0-0 draw with Belgium sees them through as runners-up.

That means, whoever wins Group E will take on Croatia, while the runners-up will face Morocco.

2 hrs 30 mins from kickoff: He may not be in the Germany squad these days, but Mesut Ozil has made it to this World Cup.

3 hrs 10 mins from kickoff: Halftime in the two games in Group F, which is where Costa Rica and Germany's potential opponents in the knockout stages will come from.

As things stand, Morocco will go through as group winners courtesy of a 2-1 win over Canada, while Croatia will follow them as runners-up after holding Belgium to a 0-0 draw.

3 hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Costa Rica and Germany have met just once before in international football - on the opening day of the 2006 World Cup, which was of course hosted by the Germans.

That day, Jurgen Klinsmann's side ran out 4-2 winners, despite Paulo Wanchope twice getting on the scoresheet. 

4 hrs 15 mins from kickoff: Nico Schlotterbeck will hope for a double celebration today: it's the defender's 23rd birthday, and he'll hope to mark it with a start and a victory.

4 hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Germany and Costa Rica have met before in a World Cup group stage, with the Germans logging a 4-2 win in 2006:

5 hrs from kickoff: Regardless of the final score, the Costa Rica vs. Germany match is guaranteed to make history:

Costa Rica vs Germany lineups, team news

Juan Pablo Vargas filled in for the suspended Francisco Calvo (yellow card accumulation) while Johan Venegas played alongside Joel Campbell up front instead of Anthony Contreras. Brandon Aguilera came in for Gerson Torres in Costa Rica's third change.

Costa Rica (5-3-2, right to left): 1-Navas (GK) — 4-Fuller, 6-Duarte, 18-Waston, 3-Vargas, 8-Oviedo — 5-Borges, 17-Tejeda, 20-Aguilera — 12-Campbell, 11-Venegas

German manager Hansi Flick confirmed that all 26 players on the German roster are fit and available to start and that includes the influential Leroy Sane, who missed the opening group match as he was recovering from a knee injury. He came on for the final 20 minutes against Spain before coming into start for Thilo Kehrer in Germany's only change.

Joshua Kimmich started at rightback while Thomas Muller was again preferred up front to Werder Bremen forward sensation Niclas Fullkrug, though Flick is likely to use Fullkrug as a spark in case they're stifled by the Ticos. 

Germany (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Neuer (GK) — 6-Kimmich, 15-Sule, 2-Rudiger, 3-Raum — 21-Gundogan, 8-Goretzka — 10-Gnabry, 14-Musiala, 19-Sane — 13-Muller

Costa Rica vs Germany live stream, TV channel

This final Group E match will be played at Al Bayt Stadium. Here's how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.

  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 Fri, Dec 2 00:30 IST Sports 18 HD Voot, JioTV
Hong Kong Fri, Dec 2 03:00 HKT Now TV (Ch. 617, 619) Now TV
Malaysia Fri, Dec 2 03:00 MYT Astro FIFA World Cup 2 Astro GO
Singapore Fri, Dec 2 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

Watch the match on fuboTV in USA:

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.

Andrew Haslam

Andrew Haslam Photo

Andrew Haslam is a freelance journalist with more than 20 years' experience working in football. A long-suffering Middlesbrough fan, as if there's any other kind, he has been a long-standing member of UEFA's digital team with particular focus on press kits and Fantasy football in addition to live match coverage, and has also worked for the Premier League and Chelsea among many other roles.