PLAYER RATINGS: Thomas Muller's likely final World Cup ends with a whimper as Germany suffer shock group stage exit, but the future looks bright in the hands of Jamal Musiala following star display over Costa Rica
- Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2 but they still went out of the World Cup
- Japan's victory over Spain meant Germany suffered a shock early exit
- Germany though have hope for the future with midfield star Jamal Musiala
- However, the World Cup could be the last for veteran forward Thomas Muller
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Germany put in a strong attacking display to defeat Costa Rica 4-2 in the World Cup, but it could not prevent them from slipping out of the group stage.
Two goals from Kai Havertz inbetween an opener from Serge Gnabry and a late effort from Niclas Fullkrug ensured victory, after coming from 2-1 down in the second half following a Yeltsin Tejeda strike and a Manuel Neuer own goal.
However, Japan's win over Spain condemned Germany to an early exit, as well as Costa Rica, as Sportsmail rates both sets of players from the final Group E match at the Al Bayt Stadium.
![Germany were dumped out of the World Cup despite defeating Costa Rica 4-2 in Group E](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/22/65153069-11492011-image-a-15_1669935407925.jpg)
Germany were dumped out of the World Cup despite defeating Costa Rica 4-2 in Group E
Costa Rica (5-4-1)
Keylor Navas - Started the tournament hopelessly against Spain but was much improved against Germany and kept the scoreline relatively respectful despite still conceding four times. 8
Oscar Duarte - Left rooted to the spot to allow Serge Gnabry to head home the opening goal from the near post and his evening did not improve from that point. 5
![Keylor Navas in the Costa Rica goal prevented Germany from building up a big scoreline](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/22/65153215-11492011-image-a-14_1669935399684.jpg)
Keylor Navas in the Costa Rica goal prevented Germany from building up a big scoreline
Kendall Waston - Very fortunate not to concede a penalty in the first period, wrestling Antonio Rudiger to the ground off the ball while defending a set-piece. About as near as he got to a Germany player all evening. Oddly looked much better attacking. 5.5
Juan Pablo Vargas - Played his part in the mad goalmouth scramble that saw Manuel Neuer turn the ball into his own goal, but was a liability in the defence - his primary role. 4
Keysher Fuller - Rewarded for not giving up by forcing a rare German error but should have scored when it then put him one-on-one with Neuer in the first half. Improved second half but did struggle to defend his right hand side. 7
![Keysher Fuller was effective for Costa Rica going forward but was suspect in the defence](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/22/65153167-11492011-image-a-16_1669935415897.jpg)
Keysher Fuller was effective for Costa Rica going forward but was suspect in the defence
Celso Borges - Was part of a Costa Rica midfield easily over ran throughout most of the game. Made an excellent challenge to deny Musiala in the first half though. 5.5
Yeltsin Tejeda - Hardly contributed to any attack throughout the entire game but can exit the World Cup knowing he scored a famous equaliser that will symbolise the start of Germany's nightmare second half. 6
Bryan Oviedo - About the only Costa Rica midfielder offering any attacking outlet in the first period. Played a couple of teasing crosses that needed better finishes. 6
Brandon Aguilera - The teenager was playing just his seventh international match and it showed. Anonymous in the first half like his team-mates and it led to his early withdrawal. 6.5
Joel Campbell - Playing as a lone striker against Germany with little support is a daunting task for anyone but he had one or two half-chances and failed to take either. 6.5
![Joel Campbell struggled up front and snapped at the rare chances that did come his way](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/22/65153119-11492011-image-a-13_1669935294225.jpg)
Joel Campbell struggled up front and snapped at the rare chances that did come his way
Johan Venegas - Technically played as the lone centre-forward but the 34-year-old contributed little before his second half substitution. 5.5
SUBSTITUTES
Youstin Salas - Winning just his sixth cap, his introduction saw Costa Rica play with a little more adventure even if they became more open. 6
Ronald Matarrita - Confusingly thrown on to bolster a defence when Costa Rica needed a goal but did couldn't stop the constant flow of Germany attacks late on. 6
Jewison Bennette - The teenage Sunderland star couldn't get a foothold on the game with Germany's late onslaught denying Costa Rica any attacking outlet. 6
Germany (4-5-1)
Manuel Neuer - Scored an unfortunate own goal that he could not help but was still alert to make smart stops on the rare occasions he was called into action. 8
Josh Kimmich - Lively as ever and forced a good stop from from Navas with a driving 30-yard strike - his experience will be crucial in leading the Germany team on from a disastrous tournament. 7
![Manuel Neuer was unfortunate to concede an own goal in an otherwise strong display](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/22/65153097-11492011-image-a-12_1669935233433.jpg)
Manuel Neuer was unfortunate to concede an own goal in an otherwise strong display
Niklas Sule - Little to do on the right side but was sloppy at the back in allowing a cross to go through him and allow Costa Rica a chance to equalise. 5
Antonio Rudiger - Was sloppy in failing to deal with a bouncing ball that nearly led to a shock first half equaliser from Fuller. 5.5
David Raum - Excellent attacking the left flank and set up the first goal, but defensively suspect on the ball and better teams will be able to exploit him. 5
Ilkay Gundogan - Withdrawn just moments before Germany's night started to crumble at the start of the second half with Tejeda's goal. Offered little but was error free. 6
Leon Goretzka - Sharp in the first period and dominated the midfield but was still substituted at the break before Germany's night unraveled. 6
Serge Gnabry - Took his header well and set up Havertz for his second goal. Some of his finishing was a little slack but is certainly part of Germany's immediate future. 7
Jamal Musiala - The silver lining in the dark cloud of Germany's World Cup. Costa Rica couldn't handle his runs and he deserved a goal - twice hitting the post. 8.5
![Costa Rica could not handle the quick footwork of Jamal Musiala who starred for Germany](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/22/65153093-11492011-image-a-11_1669935195601.jpg)
Costa Rica could not handle the quick footwork of Jamal Musiala who starred for Germany
Leroy Sane - Didn't quite have the impact he would have wanted after returning to the starting line-up indicating he probably needed some more match fitness. 6
Thomas Muller - Missed big chances and while they did not prove costly, it summed up his poor World Cup, which at 33-years-old could prove to be his last.
SUBSTITUTES
Lukas Klostermann - Lacked the influence shown by the likes of Goretzka as Costa Rica came back into the game. 6
Niclas Fullkrug - Bittersweet tournament for the 29-year-old who personally showed his worth with two goals from off the bench, including one against Costa Rica. Unlikely to be a long term answer for Germany's front line though. 8
Kai Havertz - Prevented an already humiliating night for Germany becoming even worse after coming off the bench to turn around a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead with two well taken goals. 7.5
Mario Gotze - Germany's World Cup fortunes have collapsed since his strike to win the tournament in 2014. His career since then seems to have mirrored the German national team. 6
![Thomas Muller struggled once again for Germany in what could now be his final World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/22/65149725-11492011-image-a-1_1669935136885.jpg)
Thomas Muller struggled once again for Germany in what could now be his final World Cup
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