The Germans can be angry with Spain, which obviously calculated against Japan, but like true sportsmen, they will look for the main problem within themselves.
And the fiasco is historic - for the first time since the ball started, the four-time world champion has been eliminated twice in a row in the group stage of the World Cup.
That's how it was at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and that's how it is now, in Qatar. And all this after the title in Brazil in 2014.
"Wie peinlich - Wir sind raus" (What a shame - we're out again), blared "Bild" on the front page of the online edition.
Hansi Flick's team did the job against Costa Rica in the last round, albeit with unexpected, but so characteristic stunts (from 1:0, through 1:2, to 4:2), but the expected help from Spain did not arrive, which magically lost from Japan, chose the easy way through the knockout stage and eliminated the Germans.
Things, however, went back to the beginning, to the first round - the "manchaft" was decided by the defeat against the Japanese, everything else, it turned out, was the pumping of false hope and optimism.
And the truth is painful - German football is in crisis again, with the champions passing away (Neuer and Müller are left from the champion generation, it is believed that they will also say goodbye), and the successors, although some are very talented, obviously do not have such a winning mentality .
When the duels started at the "Al Bayt" and "Kalifa International" stadiums, nothing predicted a sensational outcome.
Spain took the lead, Germany also took the lead - Gnabri headed in Raum's cross to give Germany the lead.
The first half ended at a leisurely pace, with Germany dominating, chances and misses, and then - total chaos.
Japan turned against Spain in just three minutes, which shocked the Germans so much that they also conceded two goals from Costa Rica - Teheda and Neuer (own goal) in the 58th and 70th minutes, respectively, scored goals for the "Tikos" that it was on the verge was the biggest sensation in the history of world championships.
At that moment, Japan and Costa Rica were in the round of XNUMX, Spain and Germany were out!
The Spaniards, however, got the help of the Germans, the Germans did not get the help of the Spaniards - the "elf" quickly recovered from the shock, Haverc in the 73rd and 85th minute, and Filkrug in the 89th minute, brought victory, but not the passage.
The Japanese are celebrating, the Spaniards are smiling with satisfaction, the Germans and Costa Ricans are going home...
Bonus video:
