While Kai Havertz came off the bench to lead Germany to a comeback 4-2 victory over Costa Rica. It was not enough to prevent group-stage elimination for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup.
- Germany came from behind to beat Costa Rica 4-2
- Kai Havertz came on as a substitute to score twice
- The result didn’t prevent Germany from bowing out
Early on, Costa Rica led Germany 1-0 after to a goal from Serge Gnabry. But goals from Yeltsin Tejeda and Juan Pablo Vargas gave Costa Rica a 2-1 advantage. Following that, Havertz scored twice, and Niclas Fullkrug completed a 4-2 triumph. Germany was nevertheless eliminated as a result of Japan’s victory over Spain.
And in the second half, Yeltsin Tejeda (58th minute) and Juan Pablo Vargas for Costa Rica scored the opening goals (70th minute).
Around the same time at Khalifa International Stadium, Japan and Costa Rica were the top two teams in the group, with Spain behind 2-1.
However, Germany scored three goals through Niclas Fullkrug and Kai Havertz (in the 73rd and 85th minutes each) (89th minute).
Prior to the tournament, Flick had urged Havertz to score more sly goals, and his back-post tap-in satiated that request. Germany received the three points as a result, but they were ineffective.
Sepp Maier and Taffarel were overtaken by Manuel Neuer as the goalkeeper. With the most appearances in the World Cup after he played his 19th game.
Goals: Gnabry (10), Yeltsin (58), Vargas (70), Havertz (73 & 85), Fullkrug (89)
In the end, Germany’s efforts were insufficient to prevent Spain from overtaking them for second place in the group, as the Spaniards ultimately reaped the benefits of their 7-0 victory over Costa Rica in their opening match.
Germany lost to South Korea in the decisive match at the 2018 World Cup. This was their second consecutive elimination from the group stages.