While leveraging the last opportunities to make it through the Knockouts, Costa Rica and Germany, the two bottom sides of the group E, will face each other on Thursday at the Al Bayt Stadium. The Hansi Flick’s squad somehow managed to end up against Spain with a 1-1 draw, while Los Ticos kept hopes alive for the last 16 after defeating Japan by 1-0.
Days after suffering a humiliating 7-0 defeat by Spain, Costa Rica, instead surrendering, came out of the shackles and defeated Japan by 1-0, the Asian outfit that defeated the much better German side. While sitting in the Third Position behind Japan with equaled points, Costa Rica needs to outclass Germany to confirm their spot in the Last 16.
In contrast, the 2014 World Cup Claimers are facing the catastrophic prospect of early elimination after losing to low-seeded Asian Side Japan. Nevertheless, the 83rd-minute goal by Niclas Fullkrug equalized Spain by 1-1. Die Mannschaft now has a Do-or-Die situation against Costa Rica, where only Victory would let them survive in the tournament.
With an inspiring memory of a 4-2 defeat over Costa Rica during the 2006 World Cup, the German Squad is hoping to keep things under control in a similar pattern. Perhaps, they need nothing less than a win; otherwise, it will be the first-ever group stage exit from Die Mannschaft in their storied history.
Costa Rica possible starting lineup:
Navas; Fuller, Duarte, Vargas, Watson, Oviedo; Torres, Borges, Tejeda, Campbell; Contreras
Germany possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Klostermann, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Musiala, Sane; Fullkrug
