Germany suffered a second consecutive World Cup group-stage exit despite a 4-2 win over Costa Rica on Thursday night.
After having just one point from their opening two games in Group E, Germany knew only a victory at Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar would give them any chance of progressing to the knockout stage.
Serge Gnabry’s early header in the 10th minute appeared to have set them on the way to three points, but second-half goals from Yeltsin Tejeda in the 58th minute and Juan Pablo Vargas in the 70th minute sensationally put Costa Rica in pole position to qualify for the last 16.
A win for the Central Americans would have sent them through.
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Germany substitute, Kai Havertz, turned the game on its head again with a well-taken double in the 73rd and 85th minutes before Niclas Fullkrug made it 4-2 in the 89th minute.
The victory was not enough though as Japan’s 2-1 win over Spain meant Hansi Flick’s side exited the tournament on goal difference.
Both results mean Group E winners, Japan, will face Group F runners-up, Croatia, in the last 16, while Group E runners-up, Spain, will play Group F winners, Morocco.
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