Match report as Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 but crash out of the World Cup at group stage again; Japan’s 2-1 win over Spain sees Hansi Flick’s side exit tournament on goal difference; Japan go through to last 16 as Group E winners while Spain finish as runners-up after night of high drama
Germany suffered a second consecutive World Cup group-stage exit despite a thrilling 4-2 win over Costa Rica on a night of sensational Group E drama in Qatar.
After collecting just one point from their opening two games, four-time world champions Germany – who also exited at the group stage in 2018 – knew only a victory at Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday night would give them any chance of progressing to the last 16.
