Germany - Costa Rica: Last Hope
* Germany - Costa Rica: 2pm on December 2, on MetaSports.
In the second round, Costa Rica's sudden defeat of Japan 1-0 helped Germany avoid the prospect of being eliminated early when entering the late match against Spain. The pressure was removed, Germany still had to ask for the equalizer at the end of the game by the substitute striker Nicklas Fullkrug to keep a point and wait for fate to be decided in the final round.
Although Group E is considered the "group of death" of the 2022 World Cup, few people expect Germany to be at the bottom of the table through the first two rounds as it is now. In fact, the army under Hansi Flick still holds the right to self-determination, and will definitely continue if they win Costa Rica... with a difference of more than 7 goals.
Thomas Muller thinks Germany is more appreciated than Costa Rica, but creating such a bold victory is unthinkable. The 33-year-old striker emphasized that the draw with Spain has brought morale to the whole team, as well as the hope of the 1/8 round. "Now is the time for Germany to show the football world what we can do," said Muller.
Germany fell into a similar situation at the 2018 World Cup. In Russia, the army under Joachim Low lost to Mexico 0-1 in the opening match and then lit up hope when defeating Sweden 2-1. Victory over South Korea in the final round would have allowed Germany - then the defending champions - to move on, but they lost 0-2 and left the tournament in last place.
"Now we have to do it differently," Muller said. "In the match between Germany and Costa Rica, I think many people will think that we are more appreciated. Obviously we have to win. But we also have a lot of respect for the opponent."
The more realistic scenario is that Germany beat Costa Rica and Spain beat Japan in the other match. At that time, the two European representatives will walk hand in hand. In the event that Japan and Spain tie, Hansi Flick's teachers and students must win Costa Rica by at least two goals.
"Costa Rica has shown two faces at the 2022 World Cup," Fullkrug commented on the opponent. "The loss to Spain is very difficult to judge them. Then Costa Rica will come back in the next match against Japan, having better control of the game. We will prepare for Costa Rica to play like they did. before Japan".
After two matches that did not meet expectations, Germany was forced to take advantage of this last chance to at least avoid the prospect of finishing bottom of the group and being eliminated from the group stage for two consecutive World Cups.
Opta's model favors the European representative through the narrow door, when it says Germany's chance of winning is 66%, compared to Costa Rica's 13.4% chance of winning three points. The draw - which left Germany out - is rated at 20.6%.
