Caitlin Dillon
Germany crashed out of the World Cup on a night of dramatic Group E matches, despite a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium.
Japan's 2-1 win against Spain, which saw them top Group E, saw Germany eliminated due to Spain's superior goal difference.
Germany needed a win to have any chance of reaching the last 16, but they also needed Spain to achieve at least a draw.
Germany dominated from the off, with Serge Gnabry putting his side ahead ten minutes in, as David Baum broke away on the left, whipping a cross into the box for Gnabry to get onto the end of, headed into the far corner. But Germany’s joy was short lived, as just minutes into the second half, Japan equalised with Spain to drop the Germans down to third in the group. To add insult to injury, Japan then doubled their lead, making Spain’s role in Germany’s qualification all that much harder, before Costa Rica went on to equalise in the 58th minute.
To add insult to injury, an own goal from Manuel Neuer in the 70th minute gave Costa Rica an all-important goal, which would have seen both European football giants sent home.
However, Germany continued to fight, as Kai Havertz clawed back a second goal for Germany, before scoring their third less than ten minutes later.
In the last minute of normal time, Niclas Fülkrug scored Germany’s fourth, as the side never gave up hope of qualification.
But, it was not to be, as Spain never did equalise against Japan, and the Germans saw themselves eliminated from the group stages of a second successive World Cup.
Group E end the group stages with Japan at the top on six points, while Spain sit in second on four points. Germany and Costa Rica bow out of the competition, sitting in third place with four points, and fourth place with three points, respectively.
Japan will now face Croatia in the Round of 16 on Monday night at 6pm at Al Janoub Stadium, while Spain will come up against Morocco on Tuesday at Education City Stadium.