Match Today: Germany vs Costa Rica 01-12-2022 Qatar World Cup 2022

Costa Rica take on Germany at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, in what was an exciting set-up to follow. All four teams still have a chance of qualifying for the last 16. Costa Rica pulled off a shock victory over Japan on Sunday after losing their first match to Spain 7-0.

They can reach the last 16 by beating Germany and winning the group if Spain draw with Japan. A draw for Luis Fernando Suarez's side would also guarantee a place in the next stage if Spain beat Japan, but if the current group leaders are beaten then goal difference comes into play.

As far as Germany is concerned, a late Niklas Volkrug goal could prove pivotal to their chances of success. They must now pick up three points to stay in the competition. A win over Costa Rica coupled with a Spain win over Japan would see them through.

Six of Germany's last seven away matches have seen both teams score Germany have scored in twenty of their 23 away matches Costa Rica's last three World Cup matches have seen 12 goals Germany have not kept a clean sheet in their last nine international matches Costa Rica scored in 12 out of the 15 matches in what should be a very entertaining final round in Group E, both teams could still qualify, which would see them push for a qualifying win.

Germany are the fair favourites, and they can claim victory to salvage their World Cup hopes. However, she has been unreliable lately.

What an important win it could be for Costa Rica. Brilliant Kisher Fuller's strike dented Japan's qualification hopes with one game remaining, putting the Central American team in contention.

Costa Rica may have been the second best in the first half of their encounter, but they managed to stop the majority of the Japanese attacks, then found the perfect moment to strike when the Samurai Blue were looking for the winner.

They have now won five of their last seven matches, losing just two in fifteen. They also faced Germany once in 2006, losing that match 4-2.

As far as Hansi Flick's side were concerned, things looked very precarious after Alvaro Morata broke the deadlock by entering contention on the hour mark. However, Germany hit back and, after some missed chances by Sane and Musiala, broke the deadlock, courtesy of a clinical finish by Niklas Volkrug.

While the Germans are still crying out, their form wasn't the best they could have been before entering the tournament, and they starkly confirmed that in their first two matches. They have now won just two of their last ten international matches, stunningly failing to score more than once in their eight matches.

For Costa Rica, fans in Santiago on Sunday morning were likely to wake up to the heroics of Kesher Fuller, who kept their World Cup dream alive.

Combined with his match-winning moment and the quality of players like winger Bennett, experience was also a key reason Costa Rica were able to hold their own against an in-form Japan side, with the showcasing powerhouse Joel Campbell in particular.

Niklas Volkrug was the man of the hour for Germany, having saved his team's chances of qualifying and giving them an invaluable lifeline of late.

The journey of the German striker to the elite is more than wonderful, after he played in the German second division last year, but he topped the German league lists this season and made his international debut just days before the World Cup. Jamal Musiala was also impressive throughout,