Costa Rica vs. Germany: 2022 World Cup CONFIRMED teams, match stats and LIVE blog!
All eyes will be on Jamal Musiala as Germany look to pick up their first win of the 2022 World Cup against Costa Rica and book their place in the last 16 on Thursday (kick-off: 8pm CET).
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Werder Bremen's Niclas Füllkrug was the man who rescued a 1-1 draw for Germany with a thunderous late strike against Spain on Sunday, but it was assist provider Musiala who drew most of the plaudits for his electric performance in attacking midfield. "He can be the Messi of the future!" former Germany captain and Bundesliga Legend Lothar Matthäus said of the Bayern Munich teenager, who looks sure to retain his place in Hansi Flick's starting XI. Leroy Sane also impressed after coming off the bench, and having recovered from a knee strain he is likely to start alongside Bayern teammates Musiala and Thomas Müller in attack. Füllkrug could also slot in at centre-forward after netting his second international goal in some style, with Serge Gnabry dropping to the bench. Further back, Flick is expected to stick with his four-man backline. Thilo Kehrer should start at right-back as RB Leipzig's Lukas Klostermann continues to build fitness following a lengthy ankle injury.
After their 7-0 demolition at the hands of Spain, Costa Rica were expected to bow out of the tournament when they faced Japan – but instead the Central Americans stunned the Samurai Blue thanks to a late goal from Keysher Fuller. "It was a moment of happiness, but we're already thinking about our next game," admitted teenage winger Jewison Bennete. "Germany are strong opponents, with a lot of quality." As they prepare to face the four-time world champions for just the second time – they lost 4-2 in the group stage at the 2006 World Cup, at Bayern's Allianz Arena – La Tricolor shouldn't make too many changes, although suspended centre-back Francisco Calvo is set to be replaced by Daniel Chacon. The team's captain and talisman, Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas, will have the unenviable task of trying to keep Musiala and Co. quiet at Al Bayt Stadium.
Watch: Analysing magical Musiala
Match stats
- Musiala’s assist against Spain made him the youngest German to set up a World Cup goal since 1966 (aged 19 years and 274 days), surpassing Müller (20 years, 273 days in 2010).
- Manuel Neuer will make his 19th World Cup appearance in this game, claiming the outright tournament record for a goalkeeper (the Germany and Bayern captain is currently tied with Sepp Maier and Brazil's Claudio Taffarel).
- Füllkrug’s goal against Japan was his second in three senior caps and the first by a Germany substitute in a World Cup since Mario Götze in the 2014 final.
- Germany won 4-2 in the only previous meeting between these countries, in the 2006 World Cup group stage.
- Four Costa Rican players (Junior Diaz, Cristian Gamboa, Juan Cayasso and Austin Berry) have featured in the Bundesliga, for a combined 123 appearances, but there are no Germany-based players in the current squad.
- Los Ticos have scored with their only effort on target in two games at this World Cup.
CONFIRMED teams
Costa Rica: Navas (c) – Duarte, Waston, Vargas – Fuller (Bennette 74'), Borges, Tejeda (Wilson 90'+3), Oviedo (Contreras 90'+3) – Aguilera (Salas 46'), Campbell – Venegas (Matarrita 74')
Unused subs: Brown, Sequeira, Martinez, Chacon, Ruiz, Torres, Lopez, Hernandez, Zamora
Out: Calvo (suspended)
Coach: Luis Fernando Suarez
Germany: Neuer (c) – Kimmich, Süle (Ginter 90'+3), Rüdiger, Raum (Havertz 66') – Gündogan (Füllkrug 54'), Goretzka (Klostermann 46') – Gnabry, Musiala, Sane - Müller (Götze 66')
Unused subs: Trapp, ter Stegen, Kehrer, Günter, Schlotterbeck, Bella-Kotchap, Brandt, Hofmann, Adeyemi, Moukoko
Out: -
Coach: Hansi Flick
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