Germany Exits World Cup Group Stage Again Despite 4-2 Win Over Costa Rica

Germany was eliminated from the World Cup group stage for the second tournament in a row on Thursday, even after a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar.

The four-time champions needed help from the other Group E match, and it never arrived. Japan beat Spain 2-1 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, which sent both of those teams into the round of 16 and left Germany out. Japan finished top of the group.

"I was just in the changing room and as you can imagine, the disappointment is huge," Germany coach Hansi Flick said.

Germany had lost to Japan in its opening match in Qatar. Had Spain beaten Japan in the final round, the Germans would have taken second place in the group. At the previous World Cup, Germany went out in the group stage as defending champions.

Both games began well for the Germans. Serge Gnabry headed Germany in front in the 10th minute against Costa Rica, while Spain also took an early lead over Japan.

The second half turned both matches around. Yeltsin Tejeda equalized for Costa Rica in the 58th minute, and Juan Vargas scrambled in a second goal in the 70th to make it 2-1. At that point Costa Rica was on course to advance at Spain's expense.

Germany answered three minutes later when substitute Kai Havertz made it 2-2. He then put Germany back in front in the 85th minute, and fellow substitute Niclas Füllkrug added the fourth goal.

Japan ended with six points, two more than both Spain and Germany. Spain advanced on better goal difference, much of which came from its opening 7-0 rout of Costa Rica. Germany would have needed five more goals to match the Spanish tally. Spain will next face Morocco, and Japan will meet Croatia.

The match also made history off the field. French referee Stéphanie Frappart became the first woman to officiate a men's World Cup match.