Costa Rica sit above Germany in the group standings heading into the final day of matches for Group E — who would’ve seen that coming — but both nations are in with a shot at qualifying for the knockout rounds.
The formula is simple for last-place Germany: they have to win at all costs, and by as many goals as possible. A draw or loss would eliminate the four-time world champions.
Though German fans might feel confident in a lopsided win given the 7-0 thrashing inflicted by Spain on the Ticos, the Central American side rebounded nicely. Costa Rica’s 1-0 win over Japan gives them a chance to advance with another shock win, or even a draw provided Japan lose.
Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Costa Rica vs Germany at the 2022 World Cup. Follow below for complete results from the Group E match in Qatar.
MORE: Best bets for Costa Rica vs. Germany
Costa Rica vs Germany live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Costa Rica | — | — | — |
| Germany | — | — | — |
Goals:
None
Confirmed lineups:
Costa Rica (5-3-2, right to left): 1-Navas (GK) — 4-Fuller, 6-Duarte, 18-Waston, 3-Vargas, 8-Oviedo — 5-Borges, 17-Tejeda, 20-Aguilera — 12-Campbell, 11-Venegas
Germany (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Neuer (GK) — 6-Kimmich, 15-Sule, 2-Rudiger, 3-Raum — 21-Gundogan, 8-Goretzka — 10-Gnabry, 14-Musiala, 19-Sane — 13-Muller
MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Spain | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | +7 |
| 2. Japan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 3. Costa Rica | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -6 |
| 4. Germany | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 |
Costa Rica vs Germany live updates, highlights from 2022 World Cup
10 mins to kickoff: Germany have failed to win their first two games at a World Cup for the first time since 1938, and have managed only one win in the tournament since lifting the trophy eight years ago.
Costa Rica are appearing in their sixth World Cup, all since 1990 and are aiming to reach the knockout rounds for the third time. Their best performance came in 2014, when they reached the quarter-finals before losing to the Netherlands on penalties.
15 mins to kickoff: A contrast in styles this evening, it’s safe to say:
50.9 – Germany has won the ball on av. 50.9m from their own goal; the highest among all teams through the first two MDs of the 2022 World Cup. Meanwhile, Costa Rica’s opponents have won the ball on av. 49.7m from their own goal, which is also the highest against a team. Mismatch. pic.twitter.com/YoC7ZmwpkQ
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) December 1, 2022
20 mins to kickoff: Germany’s only other game against Costa Rica also came at a World Cup, Miroslav Klose scoring twice in a 4-2 victory in Munich in the 2006 group stage with Philipp Lahm and Torsten Frings getting the other goals.
25 mins to kickoff: Stephanie Frappart in focus:
“I feel a lot of pride and a lot of honour.”
Stéphanie Frappart will become the first woman in history to referee a men’s #FIFAWorldCup match tonight when @fedefutbolcrc take on @DFB_Team 🙌
Earlier this year, she explained how much it means to her: pic.twitter.com/4E4QLWBQFA
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 1, 2022
30 mins to kickoff: There’s a notable World Cup first this evening as Stephanie Frappart becomes the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup game, alongside an all-female officiating team — in another tournament first — as FIFA aims to break down an important barrier.
Frappart rose through the ranks of football refereeing in her native France, taking charge of Ligue 2 games and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019, before officiating the final of the latter, between the USA and the Netherlands.
Find out more about her career.
35 mins: Anyone else think Oliver Bierhoff is wishing he was playing?
Oliver Bierhoff is as excited as a kid opening their first Advent calendar chocolate 😁#GER #FIFAWorldCup #CRCGER pic.twitter.com/BkCL8qBSfV
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) December 1, 2022
45 mins to kickoff: A World Cup landmark for a World Cup great:
19 – Manuel Neuer is making his 19th appearance at the #FIFAWorldCup today, becoming the goalkeeper with the outright most appearances in the history of the competition. NEUERrecord. #CRCGER @FCBayernEN @FCBayernUS https://t.co/Y2qnxNlxNX
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) December 1, 2022
50 mins to kickoff: Just one change for Germany and it’s an attacking one, with Leroy Sane coming in for Thilo Kehrer. That could mean Joshua Kimmich dropping to rightback.
Despite beating Japan last time out Costa Rica make three changes, Juan Pablo Vargas, Brandon Aguilera and Johan Venegas coming in for Francisco Calvo, Gerson Torres and Anthony Contreras.
1 hr to kickoff: And here’s the Costa Rica side for their concluding Group E game:
𝙇𝙊𝙎 1️⃣1️⃣ 𝘿𝙀 𝙇𝘼 𝙎𝙀𝙇𝙀
¡VAMOS MUCHACHOS! 🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷#FCRF #LaSele #PuraVidaEnQatar22 #qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/RcJ5PzeQhu
— FCRF (@fedefutbolcrc) December 1, 2022
1 hr 5 mins from kickoff: Costa Rica have arrived at the Al Bayt stadium as well, looking as focused as you would expect:
📍 Al Bayt Stadium
🆚 🇩🇪
⏰ 1pm¡VAMOS SELE! 🇨🇷#FCRF #LaSele #PuraVidaEnQatar22 #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/5RBRFTjHEA
— FCRF (@fedefutbolcrc) December 1, 2022
1 hr 10 mins from kickoff: Germany have named their team for this one:
📋 Your #GER line-up to face #CRC#FIFAWorldCup #CRCGER pic.twitter.com/gF06duuWyT
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) December 1, 2022
1 hr 15 mins from kickoff: The venue for tonight’s game, which will be the last at Qatar 2022 for one of these sides.
Back in the Al Bayt Stadium 🏟️#GER #FIFAWorldCup #CRCGER pic.twitter.com/UIaOHTl3lC
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) December 1, 2022
1 hr 20 mins from kickoff: A big night for Costa Rican football, but the key takeaway is how comfortable those armchairs look!
🇨🇷 𝙅𝙐𝙉𝙏𝙊𝙎 𝙃𝘼𝙎𝙏𝘼 𝙀𝙇 𝙁𝙄𝙉𝘼𝙇 🙏
¡CON TODO SELE! 🔥#FCRF #LaSele #PuraVidaEnQatar22 #FIFAWorldCup #qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/frHcMkSxuR
— FCRF (@fedefutbolcrc) December 1, 2022
1 hr 30 mins from kickoff: Germany getting in the mood…
🔜 🇨🇷🇩🇪#GER #FIFAWorldCup #CRCGER pic.twitter.com/k2rFYYT3NY
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) December 1, 2022
2 hrs from kickoff: Morocco beat Canada 2-1 to qualify from Group F as winners, while Croatia’s 0-0 draw with Belgium sees them through as runners-up.
That means, whoever wins Group E will take on Croatia, while the runners-up will face Morocco.
2 hrs 30 mins from kickoff: He may not be in the Germany squad these days, but Mesut Ozil has made it to this World Cup.
Great to be in Qatar for the #Worldcup2022. ⚽🏆 Thanks for the great hospitality & the perfect organization – it’s always a pleasure to be here. All the best to Qatar for the remaining tournament – insha’Allah we see us soon again. 🤲🏼🇹🇷🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/bBU0PFwKvm
— Mesut Özil (@M10) December 1, 2022
3 hrs 10 mins from kickoff: Halftime in the two games in Group F, which is where Costa Rica and Germany’s potential opponents in the knockout stages will come from.
As things stand, Morocco will go through as group winners courtesy of a 2-1 win over Canada, while Croatia will follow them as runners-up after holding Belgium to a 0-0 draw.
3 hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Costa Rica and Germany have met just once before in international football – on the opening day of the 2006 World Cup, which was of course hosted by the Germans.
That day, Jurgen Klinsmann’s side ran out 4-2 winners, despite Paulo Wanchope twice getting on the scoresheet.
4 hrs 15 mins from kickoff: Nico Schlotterbeck will hope for a double celebration today: it’s the defender’s 23rd birthday, and he’ll hope to mark it with a start and a victory.
Happy 23rd birthday, Nico! 🤗 pic.twitter.com/o5PGfpyD4B
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) December 1, 2022
4 hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Germany and Costa Rica have met before in a World Cup group stage, with the Germans logging a 4-2 win in 2006:
Germany and Costa Rica gifted an entertaining goal fest in their previous #FIFAWorldCup meeting ⚡️☄️
👇 How many goals will we see today?#Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2022
5 hrs from kickoff: Regardless of the final score, the Costa Rica vs. Germany match is guaranteed to make history:
History is set to be made on Thursday! 🤩
There will be an all-female refereeing trio taking charge for the first time at a men’s #FIFAWorldCup in the match between Costa Rica and Germany.
Referee Stéphanie Frappart will be joined by assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz. 👏 pic.twitter.com/fgHfh2DICK
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 30, 2022
Costa Rica vs Germany lineups, team news
Juan Pablo Vargas filled in for the suspended Francisco Calvo (yellow card accumulation) while Johan Venegas played alongside Joel Campbell up front instead of Anthony Contreras. Brandon Aguilera came in for Gerson Torres in Costa Rica’s third change.
Costa Rica (5-3-2, right to left): 1-Navas (GK) — 4-Fuller, 6-Duarte, 18-Waston, 3-Vargas, 8-Oviedo — 5-Borges, 17-Tejeda, 20-Aguilera — 12-Campbell, 11-Venegas
German manager Hansi Flick confirmed that all 26 players on the German roster are fit and available to start and that includes the influential Leroy Sane, who missed the opening group match as he was recovering from a knee injury. He came on for the final 20 minutes against Spain before coming into start for Thilo Kehrer in Germany’s only change.
Joshua Kimmich started at rightback while Thomas Muller was again preferred up front to Werder Bremen forward sensation Niclas Fullkrug, though Flick is likely to use Fullkrug as a spark in case they’re stifled by the Ticos.
Germany (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Neuer (GK) — 6-Kimmich, 15-Sule, 2-Rudiger, 3-Raum — 21-Gundogan, 8-Goretzka — 10-Gnabry, 14-Musiala, 19-Sane — 13-Muller
Costa Rica vs Germany live stream, TV channel
This final Group E match will be played at Al Bayt Stadium. Here’s how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.
| Date | Time | TV Channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Thu, Dec 1 | 14:00 ET | FS1 Universo |
fuboTV, Fox Sports site/app, Universo Now, Peacock |
| Canada | Thu, Dec 1 | 14:00 ET | TSN 1, RDS 2 (French) | TSN site/app, RDS app |
| UK | Thu, Dec 1 | 19:00 GMT | ITV, STV | ITVX, STV Player |
| Australia | Fri, Dec. 2 | 06:00 AEDT | SBS VICELAND | SBS On Demand |
| India | Fri, Dec 2 | 00:30 IST | Sports 18 HD | Voot, JioTV |
| Hong Kong | Fri, Dec 2 | 03:00 HKT | Now TV (Ch. 617, 619) | Now TV |
| Malaysia | Fri, Dec 2 | 03:00 MYT | Astro FIFA World Cup 2 | Astro GO |
| Singapore | Fri, Dec 2 | 03:00 SGT | StarHub TV FIFA World Cup, Singtel FIFA World Cup 141 | Singtel TV GO, CAST, StarHub TV+, MeWatch |
| New Zealand | Fri, Dec. 2 | 08:00 NZDT | Sky Sport 1 NZ | Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW |
