Former world champions Germany discarded from 2022 FIFA World Cup

Former world champions Germany was discarded from the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in spite of defeating Costa Rica 4-2 on Thursday.  In the 10th minute at Al Bayt Stadium, Germany shot the opening goal as Serge Gnabry's header fooled Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Costa Rica equalised in the 58th minute as Yeltsin Tejeda fired after a rebound by German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Costa Rica snatched a 2-1 lead in the 70th minute as Juan Pablo Vargas fired from close range. Germany's Kai Havertz smashed the box to make it 2-2 only minutes later.

In the 85th minute, Havertz was on the score tally once again. German forward Niclas Fullkrug also procured a close-range finish with the help of Leroy Sane. Germany, the 2014 World Cup victors, locked a 4-2 win, only to be eliminated due to goal difference.