Japan's win over Spain knocks Germany out of World Cup

Over and out! Germany crash out of the World Cup after Japan beat Spain to top group E. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

It’s no longer news that Germany, three-time world champions have crashed out of the World Cup after results from other group games knocked them out but how did this happen?

The Germans started off on a controversial note off the pitch with their viral group photo that sent a message of dissent to the Qatari hierarchy for the restrictions on a number of issues but on the pitch, they also couldn’t make a bold statement.

Japan beat Germany in the group’s opening game from a goal down after Ilkay Gundogan fired Germany in front from the spot but two late goals handed the 2014 champions the defeat, setting up a tense second group game against Spain.

Germany labored to a point against Spain and relied heavily on Spain to do the job against Japan in the final group game after Costa Rica beat the Japanese side with their only shot on target, hoping to do their own bit against the North Americans who had other ideas.

It was a topsy-turvy game but it started off like a routine win for Germany and indeed ended as such but the result doesn’t tell the whole story. Serge Gnabry fired the Germans in front and then it became end to end with Germany missing a host of chances.

Costa Rica struck early in the second half through a goal of the tournament contender by Yeltsin Tejeda and then disaster struck, Manuel Neuer scored an own goal to put Germany in real trouble but Kai Havertz redeemed himself after series of missed chances with two goals in twelve minutes to put Germany ahead.

While the Germans were struggling against Costa Rica, news kept filtering in of a bigger disaster elsewhere with Spain losing to Japan 2-1 from a winning position after Alvaro Morata put La Roja in front earlier in the game.

Germany scored one more at the death but it proved useless as Spain couldn’t find the equalizer that would have sent Germany through. Japan topped the group and will play Croatia while Spain will negotiate Morocco on Tuesday.