Germany risk their lives against Costa Rica

Costa Rica and Germany close the group stage of Group E in a life-and-death duel where both will play for a place in the round of 16 and the referee will have a great incentive Stephanie Frappart (38 years). The Frenchwoman will be the first woman to referee a match at the World Cup, an unusual event that wants to open the door for future generations. Its arbitration panel will be entirely female

The match will take place at Al Bayt Stadium at 4:00 pm Initially, the ‘ticos’ came out as favourites, as they bounced back from a 1-0 loss against Japan after falling heavily on their debut 7-0 against Spain.

For their part, those led by Hans blinked they lost their debut against Japan and drew with Spain in a very close match. They are in last place with one point and they know they have to win yes or no. There are no other possible options. In addition, Germany is not counting on itself to enter the round of 16 because, in addition to losing to Costa Rica, it will need a favor from Spain and for the ‘Red’ to beat Japan.

It was, therefore, a conflict in which the life of Germany would be endangered. The ‘Mannschaft’, who had already fallen in the group stage in Russia 2018, did not want to repeat that chapter, which remains vague in the memory of the fans as a huge disappointment.

If there is to be a draw between Luis Enrique’s team and the ‘Blue Samurai’, Germany will have to beat. Costa Rica pass on And, if Japan beats Spain, the Germans will need to beat the Costa Ricans by more than eight goals.

This is the second rivalry between the two in the history of World Cups since the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The Costa Rican coach, the Colombian Luis Fernando Suarez, revealed that he will make changes to his team for the match against Germany, and hopes to spring another surprise in Qatar 2022 against the German team. “I hope I give another surprise,” confided the coach. “The reaction of the team after the defeat against Spain calmed me down. I know that with work we can continue,” he added.

“We know what we are playing for and what we are playing for. We are playing for a whole country that expects us to do things well. This is normal pressure. We must have a lot of responsibility and a lot of ambition for this game ,” said Luis Fernando Suárez.

“This team is very serious, responsible and has a clear goal. The game is very important and beyond the classification we have a chance to get through. We can eliminate Germany. Think what that means,” he added.

Luis Fernando Suárez has confirmed there will be a number of changes to his eleven to face Germany with qualification at stake. He mentioned Juan Pablo Vargas who could replace Francisco Calvo.

For his part, Hansi flick, coach of the German team, said that they are in this situation because of their own fault, because they did not “play well” in the first two games, because they did not expect themselves to enter the round of 16.

“We are in this situation because of us, for not having played well. Now it is up to respond, it is our responsibility to give 100%,” Flick said at a press conference, given the possibility that a victory by the undeserving -must be the lowest to make it to the round of 16, if Spain and Japan tie on goals.

“It doesn’t just depend on us. We have pressure in this competition and sometimes that pressure can come in handy. It will be important that we find a solution to this,” the German coach qualified.

Flick’s continuation may depend on the performance in this World Cup, despite the fact that the coach remembers the expiration date of his contract.

“I’m an optimistic person, I don’t think about the possibilities if we fall. We are going to face the game with the intention of setting the tone from the beginning, with pressure. It will be difficult against a team that has a defensive spirit. We have to show the same attitude than before in Spain”.

In repeating the presence of Nicos Fullkrug Against Spain, Flick ensured that his inclusion benefited the team in that match.