JAKARTA - The injured Germany has the potential to face a wall against Costa Rica in their last match in Group E of the World Cup, Friday morning tomorrow.
They are absolutely required to win in a big score that could not only see them make their way to the last 16, but also prevent them from repeating their tragedy four years ago when they were thrown from the World Cup in Russia since the group phase.
Germany ranks bottom of Group E as they have only got one point from their first two games, making them anxious for imagining being eliminated early like in Russia four years ago.
In fact, winning against Costa Rica was not enough, because without Spain beating Japan, four-time world champions had to experience being left out in this way for two consecutive World Cups.
Spain topped the group with four points, while Japan and Costa Rica were below it with three points each.
Germany is also required to win by scoring as many goals as possible, even though Costa Rica is known to be very close to survive. Germany can press Costa Rica without being too close to its defensive area being touched by Costa Rica, especially throughout this tournament, Costa Rica can only create one shot on target.
Victory over Costa Rica plus Spain's victory over Japan will see Germany progress. But if Luis Enrique and Japan's teams draw or even if Japan wins, then the difference in goals will determine Germany's fate.
Scoring goals is not too difficult for Hansi Flick's team, especially now there is central striker Niclas Fuellkrug who plays brilliantly both for his club and country.
The 29-year-old, who was not initially in the German squad, led the Panser team to equalize in the last minutes against Spain after entering as a substitute to bring his country's hopes to the knockout round.
The burlap striker is now the main choice in the front row to many people calling him a factor that can reverse Germany's fortunes.
However, assistant coach Marcus Soorg tries to maintain the team's cohesiveness that Fuellkrug is "not everything drug" for the team's problems.
"We have to see what effects players have at any given time," Soorg said. "We need a certain structure, stability and security. Security comes with consistency."
But Germany has to be careful because Costa Rica has a reputation for repatriating the famous teams eight years ago at the World Cup in Brazil topping a group inhabited by Italy and England.
They reached the quarter-finals to beat the Dutch on penalties. And now, despite being slaughtered by Spain 0-7, Costa Rica still has a chance to go to the last 16 with only a draw, but on condition that Spain beat Japan.
"We have to be strong emotionally. Of course, if Germany is eliminated then that will be horrendous news and we will be proud to be responsible for that," said Los Ticos coach Luis Fernando Suarez.
Predictions of the first eleven players
Costa Rica (5-4-1): Keylor Navas; Keysher life, Oscar Duarte, Juan Pablo Vargas, Kendall Watson, Bryan Oviedo; Gerson Torres, Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Joel Campbell; Anthony Contreras.
Germany (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Lukas Klostermann, Niklas Sule, Antonio Rudiger, David Raum; Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan; Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane; Niclas Fullkrug.
Important statistics of both teams
Before meeting in their last match in Group E, Costa Rica and Germany met once in the opening match of the 2006 World Cup. The German hosts won the match with 4-2.
Since winning the World Cup for the fourth time in 2014, Germany has won only one game in the World Cup finals, against Sweden in June 2018.
Germany must take three points against Costa Rica to continue to compete for a place in the last 16.
The victory over Costa Rica coupled with Spain's victory against Japan will make Germany qualify. The goal difference could be the determinant of the last 16.
Keysherlib's goal in the 81st minute against Japan was Costa Rica's first target shot throughout the Qatari tournament.
Costa Rica can reach the last 16 by beating Germany. A draw will also take them to the next round if Spain beats Japan, but if the current group leader loses then the goal difference will decide their pass.
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