COSTA RICA – GERMANY | Thursday 8pm
It has no choice, Germany. In the match that for the first time in World Cup history will be directed by a female referee, Frenchwoman Stephanie Frappart, the Germans have no other option than victory if the goal is to avoid a second consecutive elimination at the group stage after the disaster of 2018. In reality, the situation for Hansi Flick and his men is far less dramatic than the Group E standings, which see the Mannschaft confined to last place with just one point. Facilitated by Japan’s hara-kiri against Costa Rica – a Japanese victory would have been enough to put Muller and his teammates in trouble – Germany are almost certain to make it if they win against the Central American selection, because in the other match it is really unlikely that Japan – who are on three points – will be able to avoid defeat against Spain.
What if the Japanese should snatch a draw from Luis Enrique’s Roja? Then Germany will have to aim to score as many goals as possible against Costa Rica. At the moment, in fact, it is at a disadvantage in goal difference against the selection that surprisingly beat it in the opener. In short, in the German headquarters there is absolutely no trace of the serenity that there should have been at this point of the tournament, considering that Spain and Germany – on paper – should have dominated the grouping. Keeping the four-time world champions alive is Niclas Fullkrug, the Werder Bremen striker who, thrown into the fray almost out of desperation by the former Bayern Munich coach, scored the equalizing goal (1-1) seven minutes from the end in the hard-fought match against the Spaniards, just when the Mannschaft seemed to be on the brink of the abyss. A further confirmation of how much this team lacks a pure centre forward like bread.
Costa Rica, on the other hand, seems to have no chance, despite their ‘bizarre’ victory against Japan. The Ticos scored at the first useful opportunity with a turn shot by full-back Fuller, after having resisted a long but fruitless Japanese siege. It was a success that probably won’t serve for qualification purposes, but in any case was useful to somewhat erase the humiliating 7-0 loss in the opener against Spain.
Costa Rica-Germany: latest lineup news
Fuller
Costaran coach Luis Suarez will have to do without central defender Calvo, who was disqualified after a yellow card against Japan. Vargas should therefore play between Duarte and Watson, in a five-man line-up that also features the two full-backs Fuller, author of the winning goal against Japan, and Oviedo. No changes in midfield or in attack: Contreras will again play the role of the only forward.
In Germany, the presence of the recovered Sané from 1′ is a foregone conclusion. The Bayern Munich outfielder will keep his club-mates Gnabry and Musiala company in the three-quarter, with Muller starting from the bench this time. In attack, Flick could reward Fullkrug’s commitment: excellent, apart from the goal, his impact as a substitute. The other change concerns the defence, where one between Klostermann and Schlotterbeck will take Kehrer’s place.
The Prediction
Germany’s victory does not seem in question. The Germans need to win and to do so with as many goals as possible should Japan surprise Spain. It will likely be a shoot-out, with Costa Rica – capable of only one shot on goal in 180 minutes – unable to limit the damage.
Costa Rica-Germany likely line-ups
- COSTA RICA (5-4-1): Navas; Fuller, Duarte, Vargas, Watson, Oviedo; Torres, Borges, Tejeda, Campbell; Contreras.
- GERMANY (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Klostermann, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Musiala, Sané; Fullkrug.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-3