Player ratings as Hansi Flick’s side exited the World Cup

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Germany has again been knocked out of the FIFA World Cup finals in the group stages, despite beating Costa Rica 4-2 on Thursday night.

Victory proved not enough for Hansi Flick’s side as Japan beat Spain 2-1 to book their place in the knockout stages.

As expected, Germany took the game to Costa Rica early on as Jamal Musiala forced Keylor Navas to make a clever save in the opening two minutes.

The first real chance of the match fell to Thomas Müller after six minutes. The Bayern Munich striker was found unmarked by a superb cross from Joshua Kimmich, and was unable to get his resulting header on target. truly ought to.

A minute later, a header found its way into the back of the net through Leroy Sane. The former Manchester City player sent David Raum’s cross from the left into the bottom right corner of the net. A great header and no less than what Germany deserves.

Germany would have created another chance with a header in the 15th minute when Leon Goretzka burst into the penalty area to grab a cross from Ilkay Gundogan. Navas, this time, was on hand to rest the goal on goal free from danger.

The game continued in much the same vein after that as Costa Rica continued to defend every open playing position as if it were a corner kick – no less than three defenders in their own six-yard box at all times.

At the end of the first half, the Germans will create a few more chances to double their advantage. First, Musiala’s labyrinthine run culminated in the youngster firing on goal, then his international and team-mate did the same a few minutes later – Cruyff turning his way around the Costa Rican defender before rolling wide.

Amazingly, it was around 1-1 in the 42nd minute after a terrible defense from Antonio Rudiger. Kesher Fuller had the ball after Rudiger had chipped the ball into his own net, but the Costa Rican wide saw his subsequent shot on goal saved by Manuel Neuer.

With Japan coming from behind to lead Spain 2-1 in the other game, Germany tried to throw Costa Rica’s kitchen sink by bringing on Niklas Volkrug.

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Instead of increasing their lead, they ended up conceding. The goal would be scored by Yeltsin Tejeda, who stole home after Neuer failed to adequately save Kendall and Aston’s headers.

Moments later, Germany rallied to the other end and came close to equalizing through Musiala and then Rudiger. Musiala stormed the left of the penalty area and hit the ball from inside the post, then a minute later Rudiger hit outside the post with a shot from inside the six-yard area.

In the 65th minute Germany managed to do it again. That’s right, they hit the post for the third time. This time it was Musiala who hit the ball off the post from outside the penalty area.

Then it happened.

Costa Rica scored another goal.

Perhaps this was the worst goal in the history of the World Cup. The Central Americans won by a three-header from a set piece, with a final header from Juan Pablo Vargas from four yards that bounced off Neuer’s feet, slipping Vargas’ back into the net.

Costa Rica’s time at first and second in the table came to an end after about 30 seconds, as Germany scored a second goal, with substitute Kai Havertz catching the ball before firing over Navas into the net.

In the 75th minute, Hansi Flick’s men denied the third goal with a stunning save from Keylor Navas. The former Real Madrid goalkeeper crossed his line brilliantly to block Fullkrug’s shot from close range to the face.

Havertz would have made it 3-2 in the 85th minute after Gnabry’s brilliant cross sent his side foot into the net.

Soon after it was 4-2 when Volkrug came home after Sane found him with a skilful chest pass en route, but it wasn’t enough as Japan held out to Spain and sent off Flick’s men.

Keylor Navas

Navas had no luck conceding four goals/Chris Bronskil/Fantasysta/Getty Images

GK: Keylor Navas – 7/10 – He made an amazing save later in the game.

Center back: Oscar Duarte – 6/10 – He fought hard throughout, especially when Germany crossed inside the box.

Center back: Kendall Waston – 7/10 – He basically stood on his own goal line in the first half, then ended up being the catalyst for the equalizing goal in the second half.

Center back: Juan Pablo Vargas – 7/10 – Score the second goal in the most powerful way imaginable.

RM: Keysher Fuller – 5/10 – Costa Rica missed their only chance in the first half.

CM: Celso Borges – 6/10 – Work hard for his side off the ball.

CM: Yeltsin Tejeda – 7/10 – He scored his first international goal in the best possible time.

Left midfielder: Brian Oviedo – 6/10 – The former Sunderland and Everton player played good defensively on his wing.

RW: Brandon Aguilera – N/A – Did literally nothing and got laid off in half the time.

Striker: Johan Venegas – 5/10 – He worked hard for his part, but it didn’t really add any quality.

LW: Joel Campbell – 6/10 – The outside ball is for Costa Rica, and it’s very effective at that.

alternatives

SUB – Justin Salas – 6/10 – She’s offered a lot more than Aguilera, though that’s not saying much.

SUB – Jason Bennett – 5/10

SUB – Ronald Mattarita – 5/10

SUB – Rowan Wilson – N/A.

SUB – Anthony Contreras – N/A.

Manager – Luis Fernando Suarez – 5/10 – There’s not much you can do when there’s a gap in quality, right? However, his team fought bravely against a team that was obviously much better than Costa Rica.

Kai Havertz

Havertz impressed despite scoring twice/Alexander Hasenstein/Getty Images

GK: Manuel Neuer – 3/10 – He should have done much better on both goals. He looked old.

Right back: Joshua Kimmich – 4/10 – Used at right-back and midfield, he didn’t move the ball as quickly as he should have in either position.

Center back: Niklas Sule – 2/10 – Let’s call a spade a spade: Spade would have been a better defender than Soleil at this World Cup.

Center back: Antonio Rudiger – 3/10 – He nearly cost his team a goal with a disastrous first-half clearance attempt, and didn’t improve much after that.

Left-back: David Raum – 6/10 – A beautiful cross to create the opening goal of the game.

Midfield: Leon Goretzka – 5/10 – Deflated in the first half.

CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 4/10 – He didn’t do much and was substituted for a striker in the 55th minute.

Right midfielder: Serge Gnabry – 7/10 – Well done for kicking Raum’s cross into the net and setting up the third goal.

Morning: Jamal Musiala – 7/10 – Really live again and hit the post twice.

Left midfielder: Leroy Sane – 5/10 – He wasn’t great but he got help.

Forward: Thomas Muller – 2/10 – A big chance was missed in the first five minutes and it was just bad overall.

alternatives

Branch: Lukas Klostermann – 5/10 – I did ok when it came.

SUB: Niklas Volkrug – 7/10 – He blocked a goal by the in-form Keylor Navas, then scored his goal late on.

SUB: Mario Gotze – 5/10

SUB – Kai Havertz – 8/10 – He scored Germany’s second and third goals. Really great cameo performance.

SUB – Matthias Ginter – NA.

SUB – Hansi Flick – 5/10 – Maybe Fullkrug should have started up front, although his changes put Germany back in the game. It is completely unacceptable to lead a team of this quality to the group stage.

Player of the match: Kai Havertz

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