Fifa World Cup: Giant killers Japan scalp Spain, Germany out in group stage

Fifa World Cup 2022 Highlights: Japan stunned Spain 2-1 as they once again came back from 0-1 down in the first half. Germany, even after beating Costa Rica 4-2, would have to bow out at group stage

2:48 AM

Costa Rica vs Germany: Match Summary

 

Once again, yet another German campaign ends at the group stage as the team from Europe fell short in terms of goal difference even after beating Costa Rica 4-2 in their last game. Germany at one stage was down 1-2 before Kai Havertz scored a brace and Fullkrug added another to make it a comfortable win for the team. Yeltsin Tejeda and an own goal from Manuel Neuer helped the Costa Rican score move to two. Serge Gnabry scored the first goal for Germany

 

2:48 AM

Spain vs Japan: Match Summary

 

It was a great night for Japan as they once again came back after being 0-1 down in the first half and at the same venue where they had beaten Germany earlier in their first game of the campaign, beat Spain 2-1 to move to the Round of 16 as group leaders. Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka scored for them while Alvaro Morata scored the lone goal for Spain that came in the first half. 

 

2:40 AM

Costa Rica vs Germany Live Score: Germany can’t go through despite the win

 

90+ Minutes

 

On the other hand, Spain, even after losing against Japan will go in as the second team from Group E. They finish on the same points as Spain, but because of a better goal difference, thanks to their record 7-0 win over Costa Rica will move forward. Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 in their last game and will have to walk out of yet another World Cup at the group stage. 

 

CRC 2-4 GER

 

2:38 AM

Spain vs Japan Live Score: Japan move to Round of 16 as Group Leaders

 

90+ Minutes 

 

They say lightning doesn't really strike twice, but if that lightning is the Japanese football team, it will strike twice and scalp the biggest fish in the pool too. 

 

They have done what no other Japanese team had ever done. They have beaten two World Champions in one World Cup and have advanced to their first-ever World Cup knockouts as group leaders at the same time. This is now their second consecutive and overall fourth entry into the Round of 16. They will now play Croatia. 

 

ESP 1-2 JPN

 

2:19 AM

Costa Rica vs Germany Live Score: It’s 4-2 lead for Germany now, but they need favours from Spain

2:15 AM

Spain vs Japan Live Score: Exactly

2:12 AM

Costa Rica vs Germany Live Score: Germany lead, courtesy Kai Havertz’s brace

2:03 AM

Costa Rica vs Germany Live Score: Kai Havertz equalises for Germany, it’s 2-2 now

2:00 AM

Costa Rica vs Germany Live Score: Manuel Neuer’s wordt day in office?

 

70 Minutes

 

This World Cup has to be the worst for one of the greats of the game Manuel Neuer as he has now conceded two goals against Costa Rica after having conceded two against Japan as well. Now Costa Rica lead 2-1 and have put Spain in trouble as well 

 

CRC 2-1 GER

 

1:53 AM

Costa Rica vs Germany Live Score: Germany melting under pressure

 

65 Minutes

 

With 18 shots on goal, 70% of possession and 10 corners to their name, Germany have only had 4 shots on target, the same as their opponents Costa Rica and find themselves tied at 1-1 in a game in which they must win and now must win by a huge margin as Japan are leading against Spain and if stays like that Germans will have to repent big time. 

 

CRC 1-1 GER

 

1:51 AM

Costa Rica vs Germany Live Score: Yeltsin Tejeda the goal scorer for Costa Rica

1:48 AM

Costa Rica vs Germany Live Score: Germany lose the ball and Costa Rica score, it’s 1-1

1:46 AM

Spain vs Japan Live Score: It’s deja vu for Japan, Tanaka makes it 2-1

 

51 Minutes 

 

Must we believe our eyes here? It is one of the most exciting starts of the second half and after the goal from Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka scored one of the most controversial goals here. The ball was in the six-yard Spain box and the Japanese striker went for goal, it took a touch from the goalkeeper and was headed almost out before two Japanese players brought it back and Tanaka was eager to body it into the goal. Firstly it was disallowed and then the VAR check said that the ball was not out and therefore the goal stood. 

 

ESP 1-2 JPN

 

1:42 AM

Spain vs Japan Live Score: Ritsu Doan scores again, Japan on level terms

 

48 Minutes 

 

Can this get better than this for Japan? Their manager makes a substitution at half-time, Ritsu Doan, the man that did the damage against Germany was brought in and he did exactly what was needed, a curler left-footed and poor goalkeeping from the Spanish goalkeeper meant that Japan have a goal 

 

ESP 1-1 JPN

 

1:31 AM

Costa Rica vs Germany Live Score: Will they be doing it in the second half too?