Costa Rica 2-4 Germany LIVE! World Cup result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today

Costa Rica vs Germany - LIVE!

Germany were knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage for a second consecutive time despite a 4-2 win over Costa Rica on after the four-times champions were consigned to third in Group E following Japan’s victory over Spain.

Costa Rica deployed a five-man backline but Germany still found a way through in the 10th minute when David Raum floated in a cross that was headed home by Serge Gnabry, who restarted the game quickly fearing goal difference being a factor.

But after learning that Japan were leading Spain in the other group game, Germany let their guard down and Costa Rica scored twice with Yeltsin Tejeda arriving late to score the first before Juan Pablo Vargas bundled a second over the line. Germany’s Kai Havertz grabbed a brace after coming on as a substitute to seal the three points before Niclas Fuellkrug added a fourth late in the game but the final results left Japan at the top of the group while Spain finished second.

Costa Rica vs Germany latest news

• GOAL! Havertz restores German lead

• GOAL! Havertz with immediate equaliser

• GOAL! Vargas leaves Spain and Germany on the brink

• GOAL! Tejeda equalises for Costa Rica

• GOAL! Gnabry puts Germany in front

Costa Rica 2 - 4 Germany

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22:14 , Matt Verri

Germany are out of the World Cup, suffering a humiliating second straight group-stage exit on an incredible night of drama in Group E.

Hansi Flick’s side, needing a win to have any chance of qualifying, fought back to beat Costa Rica 4-2, but were knocked out on goal-difference after Japan stunned Spain 2-1 to top the group.

At one point, with Costa Rica leading, Spain were also heading out, but a late German flurry kept Luis Enrique’s side in the tournament, thanks in large part to their thumping 7-0 win over the Costa Ricans in the opening game.

Prior to their group-stage exit in Russia, Germany had reached the last eight, at the very least, of every World Cup since 1954 but will fly home tomorrow having flopped at Flick’s first major tournament in charge since replacing Joachim Low last summer.

Read our full report here

Hansi Flick on his future

21:59 , Matt Verri

“We’ll work that out quickly, it’s difficult to answer now right after the game when we’re eliminated.

“We’ll see about that soon.”

Not really the time for pictures

21:45 , Matt Verri

Through so far...

21:38 , Matt Verri

Group A: Netherlands, Senegal

Group B: England, USA

Group C: Argentina, Poland

Group D: France, Australia

Group E: Japan, Spain

Group F: Morocco, Croatia

Brazil and Portugal also through, with a game to spare. They complete their group-stage campaigns tomorrow.

Thomas Muller’s reaction...

21:29 , Matt Verri

“If this was my last game, it was a huge pleasure. I’ve done it with love.

“We experienced incredible moments together. In every game, I tried to leave my heart on the pitch.”

The dream is... over

21:27 , Matt Verri

Shearer pretty happy with life!

21:14 , Matt Verri

Safe to say there’s not a huge amount of sympathy from some former England players at Germany being knocked out of the World Cup.

A second successive group-stage exit... absolutely incredible.

Incredible night!

21:02 , Matt Verri

FT: Costa Rica 2-4 Germany

20:57 , Matt Verri

Germany are OUT of the World Cup!

Again they’ve fallen in the group-stage - Havertz’s brace to put them back in front here is in vain.

Spain and Japan go through.

20:54 , Matt Verri

90+8 mins: Japan have beaten Spain... Germany are out!

Well this is going to be a miserable 120 seconds for them. German supporters heading out of the stadium.

20:51 , Matt Verri

90+5 mins: Bizarre feel to this game now, with neither really able to do anything.

Costa Rica are out, Germany can do no more. Just have to play out these final five minutes and hope for a miracle.

20:48 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Ten minutes added on here!

And yet the only thing that matters is whether Spain find an equaliser against Japan.

GOAL! Costa Rica 2-4 Germany | Niclas Fullkrug 90'

20:47 , Matt Verri

It stands!

VAR awards the goal, Germany lead 4-2. Still not enough!

20:45 , Matt Verri

89 mins: And now Fullkrug scores... but the offside flag is up!

Lifted into the box, chested down into his path and it’s a simple finish. Won’t count though.

20:42 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Havertz in again, lashes the strike at Navas but it’s saved!

Germany can do no more - they need Spain to find an equaliser against Japan.

GOAL! Costa Rica 2-3 Germany | Kai Havertz 85'

20:41 , Matt Verri

GERMANY BACK IN FRONT!

They’re doing all they can. Gnabry with a great cross in, Havertz there at the back post to finish well.

One goal from Spain now and Germany will be through.

20:40 , Matt Verri

83 mins: Musiala deserves a goal more than anyone to have ever lived.

Wins the ball back brilliantly, drifts inside onto his right foot but then hammers an effort over the bar.

20:36 , Matt Verri

80 mins: This really is still on for Costa Rica. So much space out there at both ends of the pitch.

While Germany pile forward, the chance is still there for Costa Rica to find the winner they need.

20:35 , Matt Verri

79 mins: The corners continue for Germany, well into double figures.

Kimmich swings it in, flicked away at the near post and Costa Rica win a throw-in. That will bring a bit of calm to proceedings.

20:32 , Matt Verri

76 mins: WHAT A SAVE!

Ball squared for Fullkrug, looks certain to finish from a few yards out but it smashes Navas in the face and over the bar!

Knew very little about that, but it’s an astonishing save.

20:31 , Matt Verri

75 mins: And now Havertz shanks an effort wide.

So as it stands, Japan topping the group with Spain going through in second. Germany still heading out.

One more goal for Costa Rica and they’ll be heading into the last-16, with Spain out.

GOAL! Costa Rica 2-2 Germany | Kai Havertz 72'

20:29 , Matt Verri

GERMANY LEVEL!

That didn’t take long. Ball through to Havertz in the box and it’s a lovely dinked finish.

Doesn’t do Germany much good... Spain very relieved though!

GOAL! Costa Rica 2-1 Germany | Juan Pablo Vargas 70'

20:26 , Matt Verri

Costa Rica free-kick, they’ll put this into the box. One goal away from sending themselves through and Spain out.

AND THEY HAVE IT! COSTA RICA TAKE THE LEAD!

Incredible. Lobbed into the box, it’s an absolute mess in the six-yard box but Vargas finds a way to bundle it in.

20:23 , Matt Verri

67 mins: POST AGAIN!

The same post keeps Germany out for a third time in barely more than five minutes. Musiala cannot believe his luck.

Havertz now on, and he blazes an effort over the bar. Germany piling on the pressure.

20:21 , Matt Verri

65 mins: Sensational cross into the six-yard box by Raum, would have been a tap-in for anyone who had continued their run. Runs all the way out of play instead.

Havertz and Gotze both about to come on for Germany.

20:19 , Matt Verri

63 mins: Now Rudiger hits the post as he slides in to get on the end of a low cross!

This is going to be a mental final 30 minutes. Both sides have to keep going for it, draw is no good for anyone.

20:17 , Matt Verri

61 mins: Musiala is in... hits the post! This is absolutely crazy. Had he squared it, Fullkrug would have had a tap in.

If Costa Rica score again, both Germany and Spain are going out!

GOAL! Costa Rica 1-1 Germany | Yeltsin Tejeda 58'

20:15 , Matt Verri

ASTONISHING! COSTA RICA ARE LEVEL!

Fuller with the ball in, initial header is saved but it’s just pushed out to Tejeda who hammers it into the empty net.

Germany are heading out of the World Cup!

20:13 , Matt Verri

57 mins: Fullkrug, on for Gundogan, tries to find Musiala but it’s cut out.

Definitely more space out there now for Germany, Costa Rica have decided they will now leave their own half on occasion.

20:11 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Japan are now leading Spain! Absolute chaos - Germany have real problems now.

Germany now have a seven goal-difference deficit to make up to Spain... time to step on the gas! Corner swung in again but it comes to nothing, before Gnabry has a shot blocked.

20:09 , Matt Verri

52 mins: Costa Rica having a better spell, showing a bit of ambition at long last.

Germany might not mind that, give them a some more space to attack into. Musiala skips away from the challenges, looks to pick out Muller but it’s cleared.

20:06 , Matt Verri

50 mins: Well then!

Japan have just equalised against Spain, which has a big impact on Group E. As it stands, Germany would be going out on goal difference.

Might encourage Flick’s side to start moving the ball a bit quicker again.

20:04 , Matt Verri

48 mins: More of the same since the break so far, Germany camped in the Costa Rica half.

Klostermann came on for Goretzka at half-time, with Salas replacing Aguilera for Costa Rica.

Back underway!

20:01 , Matt Verri

Up and running for the second-half.

19:58 , Matt Verri

More than 70% possession for Germany, 12 shots, four on target and seven corners.

For all of that, it’s only 1-0. Costa Rica had one shot and should really have scored from it, as seems to be their way in this tournament.

Germany will be desperate for that second goal to pretty much kill this off.

Elsewhere...

19:51 , Matt Verri

Spain 1-0 up against Japan, which would send them and Germany through to the last-16 as it stands.

Safe to say Japan have not been involved very much in that game so far...

HT: Costa Rica 0-1 Germany

19:47 , Matt Verri

Real chance for Costa Rica to break right at the end of the half, Campbell slows it up though and the half-time whistle goes. What a waste.

Well Germany were utterly dominant for about 99% of that half, could have been four or five goals up.

But Costa Rica should really have equalised through Fuller... somehow they’re still in this! Gnabry’s goal the only difference at half-time.

19:45 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Germany having a slightly shaky spell all of a sudden, cross whipped into their box and Sule takes a wild swing at it. Fortunately bobbles back to Neuer.

Sane has his first bright moment of the match as he works it onto his left foot, blazes over the bar from 20 yards out.

19:42 , Matt Verri

42 mins: Musiala and Muller nearly combine on the edge of the box, heavy touch though and the chance goes.

Doesn’t take long for Germany to be back on the attack, though Costa Rica win it back. And they’re in on goal... MISSES!

That would have been extraordinary. Rudiger with an awful piece of defending and Fuller is clean through on goal, but it’s tipped over the bar by Neuer.

19:40 , Matt Verri

39 mins: There’s an almighty Mexican wave going round the stadium, which is never a good sign.

On the pitch, Gnabry cuts inside and curls an effort that just flies wide of the far corner. If he’d have been another couple of yards out it would have had time to bend back.

19:36 , Matt Verri

36 mins: Musiala with a gorgeous turn as he drives into the box yet again. Sliding challenge comes in behind him as he goes to shoot, might just have put him off. Shanked wide.

This is absolutely miraculous that it’s only 1-0. One going on ten.

19:35 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Kimmich tries his luck from distance, bounces a bit awkwardly right in front of Navas.

He spills it out, Muller can’t quite get there in time before the goalkeeper jumps on it again. The World Cup drought goes on...

19:33 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Very much a 5-4-1 for Costa Rica, though even that probably makes it sounds more attacking than it actually is.

Just a mass of red shirts sitting deep in their own half, don’t even vaguely look like launching an attack.

19:30 , Matt Verri

30 mins: We might need to start checking on some corner records, as Gnabry’s shot is deflected behind for yet another one. Will we manage to keep all the players on their feet this time?

Yes, and Costa Rica head it away. Good work all round.

19:28 , Matt Verri

28 mins: A fifth corner of the night for Germany, Gnabry a constant threat down the left.

More bodies go down in the box as it’s whipped in, once again play is waved on. So many bodies back for Costa Rica, no space at all.

19:26 , Matt Verri

26 mins: Raum looks offside and it’s slipped through to him in the box, play carries on away.

Falls for Musiala, low shot is blocked. Back to him, he’s trying to work the space for another shot but then the offside flag goes up.

19:23 , Matt Verri

23 mins: Musiala continues to dance away from the red shirts, tries to set up Gnabry for a shot but he’s closed down just in time.

Costa Rica have done well to ensure this is only 1-0 midway through the first-half. Germany could have already been out of sight.

19:21 , Matt Verri

21 mins: Rudiger down at the back post appealing for a penalty, meanwhile Muller is up and winning the header. Loops up into the arms of Navas.

Brief check from VAR to see if a penalty should have been given, but play swiftly back underway.

19:20 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Hopeful ball lifted forward, Costa Rica defence misses it and Muller briefly looks to be in. Waston just about gets back and gets his body in the way.

Doesn’t slow Germany down for long, Gnabry in behind once more and earns another corner for his side.

19:18 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Terrible pass back to Navas, who slides in to try and keep the ball in play. Looks to have gone behind for a corner, but play is waved on.

Dear me, the ball was out by about two feet. Costa Rica fortunate to get away with that.

19:15 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Goretzka’s header is saved, corner that follows leads to nothing. Germany right up for this, looking to run riot.

Costa Rica briefly have the chance to break, but they play it all the way back to Navas instead.

19:13 , Matt Verri

14 mins: Costa Rica to show a bit more ambition now? Unlikely.

Spain have taken the lead against Japan in the other match, looks like it will be them and Germany going through.

Another ball whipped in, Muller lurking but it’s just over him.

Malik Ouzia in Qatar

19:12 , Matt Verri

Hansi Flick said it would be disrespectful to talk about scoring eight against Costa Rica, but judging by how quickly Serge Gnabry grabbed the ball out of the net there, Germany have eyes on a big score.

GOAL! Costa Rica 0-1 Germany | Serge Gnabry 10'

19:10 , Matt Verri

THEY TAKE THE LEAD!

To say that was coming would be the greatest of understatements.

Crossed into the box, Costa Rica decide they can’t be bothered to mark Gnabry and he nods it into the far corner.

19:09 , Matt Verri

9 mins: This could already be two or three nil.

Ball in, Muller completely free in the box but he heads wide under no pressure at all. Had to get that on target at the very least, should really have scored.

Brilliant start this from Germany.

19:07 , Matt Verri

8 mins: Nearly absolutely sensational from Musiala.

Strength in the box, then drifts past six red shirts but the door is eventually slammed shut inside the box. Couldn’t find space to get the shot away.

19:05 , Matt Verri

6 mins: Another corner for Germany, pressure is relentless already.

Rudiger not far away from getting on the end of it, just about cleared away. Goretzka looks to cross it back into the box, but it’s blocked.

19:04 , Matt Verri

5 mins: Poor Navas is going to have the game of his life here. Gnabry in behind this time, blasts it at goal from a tight angle it’s parried away.

All for nothing, offside flag then goes up. Pattern of play has been established already though.

19:03 , Matt Verri

3 mins: Didn’t take long for Navas to be called into action. Musiala drifts into space just outside the box, lets fly and the goalkeeper turns it behind for a corner. Decent effort, relatively comfortable save.

Outswinger, misses everyone in a white shirt and it’s hacked away.

KICK-OFF!

19:00 , Matt Verri

We’re up and running - let the fun begin.

Here we go!

18:54 , Matt Verri

Team are out onto the pitch, plenty of German flags being waved in the stands.

They’ll be hoping for a stress-free evening - decent chance it proves to be anything but. Time for the anthems.

The injured Werner watches on...

18:50 , Matt Verri

Not long now...

18:44 , Matt Verri

Kick-off coming up in 15 minutes - such a big night for both these sides. And Spain and Japan of course, elsewhere in Group E.

If Germany get an early goal then you think they could really run away with it, enjoying a pretty comfortable night.

But should it be goalless at half-time, or Costa Rica take the lead, it’s going to be incredibly nervy!

Gundogan: Germany done with politics

18:40 , Matt Verri

Germany‘s Ilkay Gundogan says “the politics are finished” for his side in Qatar after they did not repeat their on-field protest in their draw with Spain.

“We had a few players who were mad with FIFA, because obviously there were things planned from the team,” Gundogan said at Al Bayt Stadium.

“[The armband] getting disallowed just before the game, a few players were disappointed and frustrated and wanted to show something.

“We had the discussion in the team and at the end it got decided that we’ll do this gesture against FIFA. If you do something, you do it as a team.

“Honestly, my point of view is now the politics are finished.”

Elsewhere in Qatar...

18:33 , Matt Verri

Roberto Martinez will stand down as Belgium head coach following their agonising early exit from the World Cup in Qatar.

The much-fancied Red Devils - ranked as the second-best team on the planet by Fifa - failed to make it out of the group stage of the global tournament for the first time since 1998 after a frustrating stalemate with Croatia in Al Rayyan on Thursday.

That costly draw - which saw Romelu Lukaku miss a number of great second-half chances to put his country into the last-16 - followed a damaging 2-0 loss to eventual Group F winners Morocco, with Belgium having opened their campaign with a thoroughly undeserved 1-0 defeat of plucky Canada.

Such a failure is likely to signal a shift away from Belgium’s much-hyped golden generation, with Martinez confirming his own departure shortly after the full-time whistle against Croatia.

Read the full story on that here

Germans to dominate the ball

18:28 , Matt Verri

Safe to say they’ll have a bit more than that tonight...

Costa Rica have had no real interest in having the ball all tournament - that’s not going to change now.

South American sides lead the way...

18:20 , Matt Verri

No surprise that Brazil are still favourites to win the World Cup, as they were before the tournament began.

Argentina well-fancied again after their slow start, with France, Spain and England just behind those two in the market.

Germany’s odds will drop tonight if they go through, particularly if it sets up a last-16 clash against Morocco.

World Cup winner

Brazil: 13/5

Argentina: 5/1

France: 11/2

Spain: 7/1

England: 8/1

Odds via Betfair.

Suarez: Upsets in the genes of Costa Rica

18:14 , Matt Verri

Luis Fernandez Suarez is confident his side can pull off another almighty shock tonight, referencing Costa Rica’s success eight years ago when they topped their group ahead of Italy and England.

“Maybe it’s down to the genes of the Costa Ricans,” Suarez said in the build-up to this match.

“When they reach a World Cup they do things differently and they play well. I’m not just talking about 2014 in Brazil, I think also in Italy 1990 they reached the last 16 when no one believed in them. They are never the favourites, which is good.”

He added: “We need to be emotionally strong and break our backs in this match. Of course, if Germany is knocked out it would be a major thing and we would be proud to be responsible for that.”

Muller on long World Cup drought

18:05 , Matt Verri

Eight years ago, Thomas Muller scored in that 7-1 semi-final win over Brazil for what was his tenth World Cup goal.

Miroslav Klose scored his 16th and final World Cup goal at that 2014 tournament, and it seemed almost inevitable that Muller would one day pass that tally and become the all-time leading goalscorer.

Incredibly, he hasn’t scored a World Cup goal since. Big chance to finally end the drought tonight, with this surely being his last tournament.

One more goal and he’ll be level with Jurgen Klinsmann. Two tonight and he’ll be alongside Pele. Not bad.

Can they do it?

17:57 , Matt Verri

Vargas comes into defence for Costa Rica, as they look to upset the odds to reach the last-16. That would be truly mental.

If it is to happen, Campbell will need to deliver up front. Along with the other attacking players in the side, it’s been a very quiet tournament for the former Arsenal man so far.

Costa Rica team news

17:52 , Matt Verri

Costa Rica XI: Navas, Fuller, Duarte, Waston, Vargas, Oviedo, Tejeda, Aguilera, Borges, Venegas, Campbell

Muller starts up front

17:48 , Matt Verri

Well it’s a very attacking Germany lineup, as we probably expected.

Muller leads the line as he gets the nod over Fullkrug, as Gnabry, Sane and Musiala all start too for the Germans.

It looks like Kimmich at right-back as he shifts into defence, with Goretzka and Gundogan the midfield duo.

Germany team news

17:42 , Matt Verri

Germany XI: Neuer, Kimmich, Rudiger, Sule, Raum, Goretzka, Gundogan, Sane, Musiala, Gnabry, Muller.

Stage is set!

17:37 , Matt Verri

Flick: Not considering group-stage exit

17:32 , Matt Verri

When asked in his pre-match press conference how bad it would be for Germany to once again exit the World Cup in the group-stage, boss Hansi Flick insisted he wasn’t even thinking about that possibility.

“I’m normally an optimist, I’m not considering anything like that for now,” Flick responded.

“Maybe you can ask me the same question after the match. I hope you will not be forced to ask it.”

He added: “This is our own fault. We are in this situation and now we need to do what we can. We will give it 100 per cent. We need to perform and deliver.”

Permutations...

17:24 , Matt Verri

Germany have to win if they’re to go through, but with all four teams still able to qualify it’s a bit complicated in Group E.

Luckily there’s a handy little video to give you all the information you need... settle in.

Costa Rica’s toothless attack

17:18 , Matt Verri

Costa Rica didn’t manage a single shot of any sort in their 7-0 defeat to Germany, before only having four efforts in their win over Japan.

The goal in that 1-0 win was their only shot on target of the tournament to date.

An almost impressive lack of threat up front, but somehow they’re still in with a shout of making the last-16. Would imagine they won’t be particularly forward-thinking tonight either...

Frappart to take charge tonight

17:11 , Matt Verri

Stephanie Frappart will make history when she becomes the first female referee to take charge of a World Cup match.

Frappart will lead an all-female team in tonight’s clash, with Neuza Back, of Brazil, and Mexico’s Karen Diaz Medina running the line.

During the earlier weeks of the tournament, she has undertaken fourth official duties.

Frappart has blazed a trail for female officials in the men’s game, becoming the first woman to referee matches in each of Ligue 1, the Champions League and World Cup qualifying.

Last-16 opponents

17:04 , Matt Verri

So we now know whoever finishes top of the group will face Croatia in the last-16 - as it stands that would be Spain.

Should Germany get the job done here and finish as Group E runners-up, then it will be Morocco for them in the knockout stages.

Full focus for now though is on beating Costa Rica!

Evening Standard prediction

16:58 , Matt Verri

Costa Rica have had one shot on target all tournament, with it enough to earn three points against Japan, and it would be a huge surprise if they had the attacking threat to trouble Germany.

Hansi Flick’s side would have watched Spain blow Costa Rica away in emphatic fashion, and should be capable of comfortably getting the three points they need here.

Germany win, 3-0.

Germany team news

16:51 , Matt Verri

Germany’s big decision comes up front, with Niclas Fullkrug coming off the bench against Spain to earn a crucial point. He replaced Thomas Muller who was quiet throughout, while Kai Havertz was not involved at all having started the first match.

Leroy Sane played his first 20 minutes of the tournament, and will be hoping that is enough to earn him a place in the starting lineup against a Costa Rica side he will be confident of causing huge problems.

Predicted Germany XI: Neuer, Kehrer, Sule, Rudiger, Raum, Kimmich, Gundogan, Gnabry, Musiala, Sane, Fullkrug

Costa Rica team news

16:42 , Matt Verri

Kendall Waston was superb in defence for Costa Rica against Japan, coming into the side as they moved to a back five and looked significantly more solid. More of the same in terms of shape and personnel is expected.

The attacking players must start delivering, with Anthony Contreras and Joel Campbell both ineffective so far in the tournament but likely to start once again.

Predicted Costa Rica XI: Navas, Duarte, Watson, Chacon, Fuller, Borges, Tejeda, Oviedo, Torres, Campbell, Contreras

How to watch Costa Rica vs Germany

16:35 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, the match will be televised free-to-air and live on ITV4, with coverage beginning at 6:15pm.

Live stream: Fans can also catch the game live online via ITVX and the ITV website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with Malik Ouzia in Qatar providing expert analysis.

Good evening!

16:29 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Costa Rica vs Germany!

Group E comes to a conclusion tonight, with all four teams still able to qualify for the last-16. Germany must win to have any chance of doing that though, or it will be a second successive group-stage exit.

We’ll have all the latest build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 7pm GMT from Al Bayt Stadium.