Germany wins and is still eliminated, failing to qualify for two consecutive World Cup groups
In the early hours of December 2, Beijing time, the final round of Group E of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar ended. Germany, the four-time World Cup champion, once fell behind 1-2, scored 3 goals in a row and defeated Costa Rica 4-2. However, due to another game in the same group, the Japanese team defeated the Spanish team. The German team and Spain had 4 points. Due to the disadvantage of goal difference, they ranked third in the group.
The German team with only 1 point in the two rounds is the most unfavorable team in Group E. In this game, the "Germanic Chariot" will have to look at Spain and Japan on the premise of defeating the Costa Rica team and striving for more goal difference. The result of the team can determine whether the group will qualify. In contrast, the Costa Rica team, which already has 3 points in hand, will lock in a group qualifying spot if they can beat the German team in this game.
German coach Flick formed a 4231 formation. Kimmich, who had been the main defensive midfielder before, returned to the right back position when he debuted in Bayern Munich. His Bayern teammates Gretzka and Gundogan Partner defensive midfielder. On the offensive end, Muller acts as the lone forward, behind him are three attacking forwards Sane, Musiala and Gnabry with outstanding speed and technique. It is worth noting that this is the 19th time that German goalkeeper Neuer has played in the World Cup. He also surpassed the legendary Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel to become the goalkeeper with the most appearances in the World Cup.
After the opening, the German team resorted to an oppressive style of play. The midfielders actively pressed the opponent's ball holder and counterattacked on the spot after stealing the ball. Musiala finished the shot in the second minute, but unfortunately it was resolved by the opponent's goalkeeper Navas. In the 10th minute, the German team played a simple combination of side and center tactics. Full-back Raum made a cross and Gnabry shook his head in the penalty area and scored 1-0.
After conceding the goal, the Costa Rica team also strengthened the midfield press and relied on two breakthroughs from the wing to create threats. The German team's defensive line is tall and powerful, and they are not afraid of the opponent's bottom pass, which also greatly reduces the offensive efficiency of the Costa Rica team.
It is the game, the 39-year-old French female referee Stephanie Frappal, as the first female referee in the history of the Men's World Cup, called the game. She paid great attention to maintaining the fluency of the game after the opening, and did not overdo it. A foul is called and the game is stopped. Seeing that the referee's penalty scale was not strict, the German team stepped up physical confrontation and formed a siege at the front of the opponent's penalty area. Mushala and Gnabry missed good shots in the penalty area one after another. Before the end of the first half, the Costa Rica team sent a wonderful pass from the backcourt, Fuller's volley in the penalty area was blocked by Neuer, and the German team escaped. Throughout the first half, the German team had a high possession rate of 69%, but scored only 1 goal from 11 shots.
In the second half, the German team was unable to expand the score for a long time. Frick replaced midfielder Gundogan with center Phil Kruger and attacked with all his strength. In the 58th minute, the Costa Rica team played a classic counterattack, and Tejeda equalized the score with a supplementary shot in front of the goal, 1-1. After conceding the ball, the German team pushed across the board. Mushala and Rudiger had three consecutive shots rejected by the post within 8 minutes.
While the German fans were still sighing for the team, the Costa Rica team scored again! In the 70th minute, the Costa Rica team made a pass from the side. After several tall players headed the ball consecutively, Vargas scored a goal in the melee in front of the goal, 2 to 1. After 3 minutes, Havertz, who came off the bench, equalized for the German team The score is 2 to 2. In the 76th minute, Navas saved Phil Kruger's shot from close at hand.
The German team did not give up their efforts. In the 85th minute, after Gnabry passed the ball, Haverts rushed to the goal, stabbed and scored, and the German team led again 3-2. In stoppage time, Sane assisted Phil Krueger to expand the score, 4-2.
Since the Japanese team defeated Spain 2-1 in another match in the same group, the German team, which won 4-2, scored 4 points and 1 goal difference, ranking with 4 points but 6 goals difference. After the Spanish team, they ranked third in the group and missed the round of 16.
