The starting position for Germany’s national soccer team before today’s third group game against Costa Rica (8 p.m., ORF 1) is clear – only a win preserves the chances of reaching the round of 16. The situation is reminiscent of the 2018 World Cup in Russia: At that time, the Germans flew home after losing 2-0 in the last group game against South Korea.
The team boss at the time, Joachim Löw, was still allowed to continue – the world champion bonus from 2014 weighed more heavily than the embarrassing elimination from the preliminary round. Successor Hansi Flick made it clear that even if he left early, resigning would not be an option. “I have a contract until 2024 and of course I’m looking forward to the European Championships at home. That’s a long way away.” Translated: Should there be a separation, then this would have to come from the DFB and be compensated accordingly financially.
An eye on the parallel game
“I don’t feel any pressure at all,” said Flick yesterday. His players should put pressure on because the tactics for the game are logical. “We’ll try to make it clear quickly. We know that it will be very difficult against a very defensive team,” said Flick. In order to crack this, he should bring more power into the attacking game with Niclas Füllkrug, who scored as a joker in the 1-1 win against Spain.
The Germans will have to watch the parallel encounter between Spain and Japan at least with one eye. Three points alone would only be enough if Spain beat Japan in the parallel game or the game ended 0-0. In all other cases, the calculator must be unpacked.
Luck for Germany: In contrast to the European Championship, it is not the direct duel in the event of a tie that counts at the World Cup (a 1-2 draw against Japan would always be at a disadvantage compared to the Asians), but first the goal difference. As a result, Germany would always be through in a win with a two-goal difference if Japan and Spain shared the points.
The horror scenario is a Japanese victory: Germany would then need a Schützenfest to intercept Spain. “That would be very presumptuous, very disrespectful to Costa Rica, if we assume so,” said Flick. “We’ll be happy if we win.” So Spain must have some support.
Regardless of the outcome, the game will go down in the football history books: it will be managed by Stephanie Frappart. The Frenchwoman is the first woman to referee a game at a men’s World Cup. In addition, Manuel Neuer is in goal for the 19th time in a final round and thus becomes the World Cup record player – with one more appearance than DFB legend Sepp Maier and Brazil’s Claudio Taffarel.
The Scenarios
A win against Costa Rica is a prerequisite for Germany. The DFB-Elf rises …
- … if Spain wins against Japan or a 0-0.
- … in every draw from 1:1 between Spain and Japan by beating Costa Rica with at least two goals difference or with more goals than Japan scored.
- … in Japan’s win over Spain, when beating Costa Rica puts them eight goals behind in goal difference over Spain.
Source: Nachrichten
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