Germany, the four-time defending World Cup champion, were knocked out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a 4-2 victory against Costa Rica in the Round 3 of Group E action at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar.
After Japan defeated Spain 2-1 in the match played at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, both Japan and Spain advanced to the knockout round.
The outcome of the two group games were settled in a furious football contest in the very last seconds.
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Bayern Munich forward – Serge Gnabry, gave Germany the early advantage against Costa Rica with a goal in the 10th minute of the first half. David Raum provided the assist.
Yeltsin Tejeda scored an equalizer for Costa Rica in the 58th minute of the second half of the game, and Juan Pablo Vargas made it 2- 1 for Costa Rica when Neuer redirected his cross into the goal in the 70th minute.
Within 12 minutes, Chelsea forward Kai Havertz scored twice, and Germany’s Nicklas Fullkrug added a fourth goal in the 89th minute to put the game well beyond grasp of Costa Rica.
Another famous Japan win sees them top a wild Group E ??@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
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After advancing past the first round of the group stage in each of their previous 16 appearances in the event, Germany has now been eliminated from the World Cup group stages back-to-back.
At the other end, Alvaro Morata scored for Spain in the second group game in the 11th minute of the first half after collecting an assist from Cesar Azpilicueta.
But in the second half, goals from Doan and Tanaka helped Japan launch an incredible comeback.
With help from Junya Ito, Ritsu Doan tied the score for Japan in the 48th minute of the second half of the game.
???? ?? ????? ??#JPN | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/TiMUVUkz8m
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After careful VAR analysis, Central Match Referee Victor Gomez approved Ao Tanaka’s second and game-winning goal for Japan in the 53rd minute of play with an assist from Kaoru Mitoma.
With the win, Japan advanced to the tournament’s next round as the group champion, while Spain advanced as the runner-up.
Now, Japan will eagerly anticipate playing Croatia in the Round of 16 on Monday, while Spain will square off with Morocco the following day.