“We need to perform and deliver,” Flick on Costa Rica game
Germany meet Costa Rica in a must-win Group E match at the 2022 World Cup this evening as they look to secure a place in the last-16.
The five-time world champions are on the brink since a shock defeat to Japan in their opening game but were rescued by a late goal against Spain to keep them in the tournament.
To qualify they need to defeat Costa Rica and hope that Spain avoid losing to Japan in the other fixture.
Costa Rica could also qualify after a win against Japan last time out. Their goal difference is terrible following a 7-0 thrashing to Spain meaning they must better Japan’s result tonight to qualify ahead of Germany.
Follow the action with or live blog below:
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
33 mins: Costa Rica are set deep and are holding their line refusing to come out and engage Germany’s creative players. Joshua Kimmich whips in a cross from the right side but overhits it and can’t pick out a teammate.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 19:34
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
30 mins: Costa Rica seemingly have six men in the back line yet still Germany are finding loads of space in the final third. Ilkay Gundogan tries to float in a cross but his effort is charged down.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 19:33
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
27 mins: David Raum swings a corner into the box for Germany – it’s their fifth of the match – but Costa Rica deal with this one easily enough.
The don’t keep the ball for long as the Germans recover the clearance and look to attack once again.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 19:28
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
24 mins: Serge Gnabry weaves his way into a packed penalty area as Costa Rica get men behind the ball. It comes out to David Raum who pulls the ball back to Jamal Musiala but his snapshot doesn’t get through the cluster of bodies.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 19:26
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
21 mins: Germany have settled down a bit since they scored. They’re still in complete control of the match but aren’t feeding it into the final third with as much gusto as the opening 10 minutes.
You wouldn’t put it past them adding one or two more before half-time though.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 19:23
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
18 mins: Joel Campbell thinks he’s won a corner for Costa Rica after taking on Niklas Sule and seeing the ball go behind but the forward was offside as the ball came up to him so Germany are awarded a free kick.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 19:19
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
15 mins: Chance! Leon Goretzka darts through the Costa Rican defence as the ball is chipped into the box from the right side of the pitch.
The German midfielder is wide open and nods the ball towards goal only to be denied by a good save from Keylor Navas!
Michael Jones1 December 2022 19:17
Costa Rica 0-1 Germany
13 mins: In the other fixture of the night in Group E, Alvaro Morata has sent Spain in front against Japan. That means both European side will be heading into the knockout rounds.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 19:14
GOAL! Costa Rica 0-1 Germany (Gnabry, 10’)⚽️
10 mins: Just what Hansi Flick ordered!
This time Germany sweep down the left wing with David Raum getting forward from his position at left-back. He hangs a perfect cross into the box where Serge Gnabry has positioned himself in space.
There’s work still to do for the forward but he works his header over to the far side of the goal leaving the goalkeeper no chance to reach it.
Michael Jones1 December 2022 19:10
Costa Rica 0-0 Germany
9 mins: Chance! Joshua Kimmich swings a cross into the box from the right wing and picks out Thomas Muller. He throws himself at the ball and heads his effort wide of the near post!
Michael Jones1 December 2022 19:10
Kaynak: briturkish.com