Despite a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday, Germany was eliminated from the World Cup for the second time.
WhaT happened in the game?
Germany, needing a win to advance to the round of 16, secured their first victory of the tournament but were eliminated at the group stage for the second time in a row.
Serge Gnabry gave them a well-deserved early lead, but Yeltsin Tejeda equalized in the second half with his first international goal, and Costa Rica advanced to the knockout stage after Juan Pablo Vargas put them ahead.
Havertz equalized shortly after Vargas’ goal and then scored again to put Germany ahead, with fellow substitute Niclas Fullkrug adding a late fourth goal.
However, Japan and Spain advanced from Group E, with the Samurai Blue finishing first after a 2-1 win over Luis Enrique’s side.
Gnabry scored after only 10 minutes, meeting David Raum’s left-wing cross with a glancing header that found the far corner of the net.
Keylor Navas saved Leon Goretzka’s header, Musiala fired wide after turning sharply and surging into the box, and Gnabry was just off target with a right-foot drive as Germany continued to dominate.
But, late in the first half, Keysher Fuller almost equalized, Manuel Neuer superbly tipping his shot around the post after an error by Antonio Rudiger.
The news that Japan was leading Spain left Germany fans shaking their heads, and things got even worse when Tejeda finished from close range after Neuer could only palm Kendall Waston’s header into his path in the 58th minute.
As Germany desperately tried to stay alive, Musiala twice struck the right-hand post and Rudiger hit the outside of the same upright.
Costa Rica then stunned Germany once more, taking the lead after 70 minutes, with Vargas scoring when Neuer failed to deal with a ball into the box.
Los Ticos’ joy was short-lived, however, as Havertz finished clinically with his right foot just a few minutes after coming off the bench and Germany had fallen behind.
Navas made a spectacular close-range save to deny Fullkrug, but Havertz tucked in with his left foot at the back post.
Fullkrug appeared to be offside, but he was awarded his second goal in as many games in the closing stages after a VAR check after slotting in from close range, but Germany lost on goal difference.