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Despite 4:2 against Costa Rica: Germany flies out of the World Cup

The German team is also eliminated from the 2022 World Cup preliminary round. Despite the 4:2 victory against Costa Rica, it was not enough to advance because Japan defeated Spain.

Just like four years ago at the tournament in Russia, the DFB team missed out on the round of 16. A 4-2 win over Costa Rica in Al-Chaur on Thursday evening was not enough for the team to reach the knockout round. In the parallel match, Japan beat Spain 2-1 to secure first place in Group E ahead of the Iberians, who remain in the tournament despite their defeat.

DFB victory was no use

Germany finished third ahead of Costa Rica, stuck in the group stage just like in 2018. Serge Gnabry had already given the German team the lead in the 10th minute. Yeltsin Tejeda scored in the 58th minute and Juan Vargas in the 70th. Kai Havertz with a brace in the 73rd and in the 84th minute and Niclas Füllkrug in the 89th minute still ensured a German victory, but it was ultimately of no use.

Croatia, led by top star Luka Modric, advanced to the next round thanks to a 0-0 draw with Belgium. The Belgians, who were seen as one of the favourites for the World Cup, were eliminated in the preliminary round by a draw.

Win in Group F for Morocco

Morocco secured their group victory with a 2-1 (2:1) win over Canada. The Canadians already had no chance of advancing. Morocco would thus be a possible opponent for the German team in the round of 16, should the DFB team still qualify as the runner-up in Group E.

Hakim Ziyech (4th minute) and Youssef En-Nesyri (23rd) paved the way for Morocco to beat Canada in Doha. An own goal by Nayef Aguerd (40th) made the game exciting again.

In the supposed group summit, the Belgians only really fought back against the threat of elimination after the break, but missed their best chances, especially through substitute Romelu Lukaku.

In the end, the Croatians were lucky to hold on to the draw, which was enough to see them through to the last 16. In 2018, Modric’s team was only stopped by France in the final.

By Klaus