Japan's defeat against Costa Rica: This is how Germany can reach the World Cup round of 16

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Germany's goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer during the opening game against Japan

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Tom Weller / dpa

As in 2018, Germany started the World Cup with a defeat, but before the second game against Spain (8 p.m., TV: ZDF, Magenta TV) they received support from the Costa Rican team.

With their 1-0 win against Japan, the DFB team even has a chance of reaching the round of 16 with another defeat on Sunday evening.

In Group E, all teams except Germany have three points before the evening game.

In any case, the decision will not be made until the last group match day on Thursday (8 p.m., TV: ARD, MagentaTV).

Then Germany will play Costa Rica and Spain will play Japan at the same time.

The scenarios for the Spain game:

• If Germany wins against Spain, a place in the round of 16 would be fixed with another win against Costa Rica.

• If Germany draws against Spain, the DFB-Elf is bottom of the group with one point.

  Then a win against Costa Rica is needed, only then it can still be enough for the round of 16.

However, progress in a win in the final group game would only be guaranteed if Spain beat Japan at the same time.

In a draw, Japan would have four points, as would Germany.

Then the goal difference would decide first.

The same applies to the German team in terms of goal difference compared to Spain should Japan beat the World Cup co-favourites.

• If Germany loses against Spain, the DFB-Elf is bottom of the group with zero points.

  Still, the Round of 16 can be reached by beating Costa Rica if Spain also beat Japan.

  The goal difference compared to Japan and Costa Rica would then be decisive.

  At the World Cup, if there is a tie, the better goal difference decides first and not the direct comparison.

National coach Hansi Flick started the match day with activation training for his players at the team hotel.

At lunchtime on Sunday, Japan's match against Costa Rica was shown on the big screen at the Zulal Wellness Resort in Al-Ruwais.

In individual and group discussions, the national coach prepared the DFB professionals for their tasks in the evening before the final team meeting.

The team bus was scheduled to leave for the 70 km away Al-Khour venue at 7.30 p.m. local time, two and a half hours before kick-off.

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