Costa Rica vs Germany: It is All or Nothing for both teams at the World Cup
The last Group E game is the first knockout match for Costa Rica and Germany. Die Mannschaft must win against Los Ticos from Central America to keep its chances of reaching the last 16 alive.
If the Germans win, Japan would have to lose to Spain in the parallel match to secure a place in the next round of the tournament. A draw between the two teams could also help Germany progress, as long as they win by a two-goal margin.
On the other side, Costa Rica would even have a chance to finish first in the group with a win, as long as Spain does not beat Japan. Realistically, a draw would only be enough if Spain wins.
The last time the two teams met was at the 2006 World Cup – also in the group stage – when Germany won 4-2.
Who will start in the German attack?
Depending on the outcome of the match, Hansi Flick could become the first German national coach not to win a single group match.
Die Mannschaft could start with Leroy Sané in the starting midfield, who only came off the bench after a knee injury in the last match.
It will also be interesting to see who Flick will opt for at the striker position. Kai Havertz started in the first game, while Thomas Müller took over the position in the second. But it was substitute Niklas Füllkrug who managed to score the goal against Spain.
There is a similar level of competition at right-back, where Nico Schlotterbeck, Thilo Kehrer and Lukas Klostermann are hoping for a position in the starting XI.
Los Ticos have to do without Francisco Calvo
For Costa Rica, Keysher Fuller’s late winner in their last match against Japan reignited their hopes of reaching the round of 16. It would be only the third time Los Ticos have reached this round in the history of the national team.
They are expected to field almost the same line-up as they did against Japan. Coach Luis Fernando Suárez will only have to do without central defender Francisco Calvo, who received his second yellow card in the last match and is therefore suspended for this game.
Possible alternatives are the 20-year-old Daniel Chacon or Juan Pablo Vargas, who will probably be preferred due to his experience.
Frappart to become first woman to referee a World Cup match
The game is also a premiere. It is the first match of a World Cup in which a female referee will officiate. The French referee Stéphanie Frappart will take on this task. She will be supported by female assistants Neuza Back from Brazil and Karen Díaz Medina from Mexico.
In addition to Frappart, two other female referees, Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda) and Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan), have been nominated for the World Cup, although both have so far only been used as fourth officials.
“This is proof that it is quality and not gender that counts,” FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina said in a pre-tournament statement. “I hope that the appointment of elite female referees for important men’s competitions will soon no longer be a sensation but a matter of course.”
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