Japan shocked Spain in their final Group E match with a 2-1 comeback win to take first place and advance to the knockout round.
Despite the loss, Spain will join Japan past the group stage. Germany’s 4-2 win over Costa Rica brought them levelled at four points but Spain will advance on goal difference.
After winning the 2014 World Cup, Germany have been eliminated in two consecutive group stages.
Alvaro Morata gave La Roja an early 1-0 lead in the 11th minute but the Japanese didn’t say their last word.
Japan tied the game in the 48th minute with Ritsu Doan’s strike from outside the box. Ao Tanaka help the Samourai Blue complete the comeback only three minutes later.
Germany had a difficult start to their group stage, losing 2-1 to Japan in comeback fashion, then drew Spain 1-1. Germany needed to beat Costa Rica paired with a Spanish win or draw over Japan.
Die Mannschaft did their part of the job. Kai Havertz scored a brace while Serge Gnabry and Niclas Fullkrug added goals to take a 4-2 win over the Costa Ricans but didn’t receive a gift from their European counterparts.
