The top spots in Group E were decided in dramatic fashion after Japan shocked the world by beating tournament favorites, Spain, to finish atop the group. Spain, despite losing, has qualified for the next round of the FIFA World Cup. However, Germany crashed out of the competition, which is arguably the biggest shock of the competition so far.
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Germany won against Costa Rica in their final game of the group. However, it wasn’t enough as a better goal difference sees Spain qualify for the knockouts. Dark horses, Japan, managed to beat both Germany and Spain in the group and topped the group.
Fans were shocked after the results and took to social media to react.
Fans react to Group E drama as Germany eliminated from the FIFA World Cup
Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 as they came from behind. However, even after a win, they failed to qualify for the knockouts. Earlier in the tournament, Spain opened their World Cup campaign with a huge win over Costa Rica, which proved to be the difference, as they pipped Germany to make it to the Round of 16. Fans were shocked to see Germany’s exit from the group stages for the 2nd time in a row; they suffered a similar fate in the 2018 edition.
Following are some of the reactions to the latest drama:
When your team is beating Costa Rica but it would mean your exit from the tournament.#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022onMG pic.twitter.com/giZLtVtqKn
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) December 1, 2022
Germany need a favor from Spain.
— Thierry Nyann 🇬🇭 (@nyannthierry) December 1, 2022
If Spain equalize against Japan, Germany would qualify ahead of the Japanese. Wow!
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) December 1, 2022
Germany fans no longer watching their game.
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) December 1, 2022
Keylor Navas has chopped 11 goals in three group games and that is unfortunately going to overshadow how incredible he has been in these games.
Could’ve been 20.
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) December 1, 2022
Germany going out because Spain stopped trying to score is revenge for 1982! Justice for Algeria!!!!!
— Luis Paez-Pumar (@lppny) December 1, 2022
Scenes when Germany find out Spain have lost to Japan and just decide to score three own goals to knock them out too
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) December 1, 2022
Pack your bags and fuck off home…doo dah…doo dah
Pack your bags and fuck off home#Germany #QatarWorldCup2022— Leigh Hewitt (@leigh_hewitt) December 1, 2022
Naa bro this World Cup indeed doesn’t make sense 😂💔 #Germany #FIFAWorldCup
— Adjor🔱 (@thekingadjor) December 1, 2022
This is the 2nd consecutive time Germany was eliminated from the group stages of the competition. Many had expected them to go deep into the competition and fight some strong sides in the mega-event. However, Hansi Flick’s side will now have to reflect upon their poor campaign and build for the next Euros.
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Spain, on the other hand, qualified as the 2nd placed team in the group, behind Japan. They will now face Group F leaders Morocco, who finished their group stages with 7 points. Japan will face Group F’s 2nd placed team, Croatia in the Round of 16.
🇪🇸 SPAIN vs. MOROCCO 🇲🇦
🇯🇵 JAPAN vs. CROATIA 🇭🇷CAN'T WAIT 🍿 🍿 🍿 pic.twitter.com/CNP12gOiYJ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 1, 2022
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All groups in the competition have been decided but two. Groups G and H will be decided next, which will mark the end of the group stages of the soccer World Cup. However, more entertainment follows as some exciting knockout fixtures await.
Which team do you think will lift the World Cup? Let us know in the comment section below.