2022 World Cup: Germany again eliminated in first round

Despite their victory against Costa Rica (4-2), Thursday, December 1 in Al Khor, the Germans finish this group phase in third place, behind Japan and Spain.

By Grégor Brandy

Four years after the first elimination in the first round of a World Cup, the Germans will not see again the knockout stages of the competition. Winners of Costa Rica (4-2), the men of Hans-Dieder Flick were victims on Thursday 1 ^er December, of the surprise victory of Japan against Spain (2-1) in the ‘Another match and end in third place in group E, behind the Japanese and the Spaniards. The Costaricans finish in the last place. “It is an absolute disaster,” says German striker Thomas Müller. It’s incredibly bad, because our result could have been enough. We have a feeling of helplessness. “

beaten by Japan (2-1) in the first match, the Nationalmannschaft then conceded a draw against Spain (1-1) and knew that she was not completely mistress of her destiny before the latter Meeting.

Despite this, it begins it with the best intentions in the world. Very quickly, she put the Costaricans on their goal and quickly materializes her domination with a goal from the head of Serge Gnabry (1-0, 10 e minute).

Launched, the Germans continue to push, but neither Leon Goretzka (14 e ), nor Joshua Kimmich, a floating strike (35 e ), nor Jamal Musiala, often in the right shots (36 e ), nor Serge Gnabry (40 e ) do not manage to double the bet. It is even Keysher Fuller who fails to bring the two teams tied before half-time after a first error by David Raum, then a second by Antonio Rüdiger. Fortunately for the Germans, Manuel Neuer Watches (42 e ).

At halftime, if Germany has not taken off, she thinks that the provisional victory of the Spaniards, facing exceeded Japanese (1-0), is enough to qualify quietly for the eighths of final.

a crazy match

And then, football reminded us why it was so unpredictable. In five minutes, Japan takes advantage of Spain (2-1, 51 ^{e ). The Germans then know that only a seven goals’ victory can save them if the Spaniards do not return to the score. So they push. But Leroy Sané is missing the frame (56 e ), before Yeltsin Tejeda concluded one of the rare Costa Rican opportunities (1-1, 58 e ).}

The sky has just fallen on his head, but Germany still believes in it. However, the spell seems to be bent: Musiala finds the post (60 e ), before knocking next to it (61 ^e ). Rüdiger is missing the frame in turn a few meters from the goal (62 e ), before Musiala finds the pole of Keylor Navas (67 e ).

And on a trivial free kick, Juan Pablo Vargas benefits from a scramble to give the advantage to the Costa Rica (2-1, 70 e ). A goal that then describes Costa Rica with Japan and eliminates Germany and Spain.

But the Costa Rican dreams quickly. Kai Havertz, who came into play a few minutes earlier, equalizes three minutes later (2-2, 73 e ).

Exhausted, the Costaricans leave spaces and Havertz takes the opportunity to register a double and restore the advantage to his own (3-2, 85 ^{e ). After the fourth goal scored by Niclas Füllkrug (4-2, 89 e ), the Germans know that only a Spanish goal can send them to the round of 16. The Nationalmannschaft still pushes but no longer has enough time to register five new goals. The saving Spanish goal will never come.}

After ten minutes of additional time, the Frenchman Stéphanie FRAPPART, the first woman referee of a World Cup, returns the two teams to the locker room. Germany is once again leaving competition in the first round, eight years after its world title in Brazil.

In the round of 16, Japan will face Croatia and Spain will play against Morocco.