The group draw for the World Cup in Qatar took place in April. But at that time only two out of three DFB opponents were fixed. Now it has been decided who the Flick-Elf will meet.
Costa Rica has trembled as the 32nd and last team in the final round of the soccer World Cup in Qatar – so after the summer fairy tale of 2006 it comes to a reunion with the DFB team. The team led by star goalkeeper Keylor Navas managed a highly flattering 1-0 (1-0) win against New Zealand at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Ar-Rayyan on Tuesday.
Despite a clear increase in chances, the “All Whites” could not follow their island neighbors from the other end of the world almost 24 hours after Australia entered the World Cup round. The decisive goal came in the third minute, scored by Joel Campbell. After a red card against Kosta Barbarouses, New Zealand played the last 20 minutes outnumbered.
Costa Rica will meet Germany on December 1st in the last group game at the World Cup in Qatar. “Anyone who qualifies can be potentially dangerous as an opponent,” said national coach Hansi Flick before the game. The other opponents in Group E are Spain and Japan.
Replay of the 2006 World Cup opening game
The World Cup starting field is thus complete 160 days before hosts Qatar’s opening game against Ecuador. It is Costa Rica’s sixth finals appearance, having reached the quarter-finals in 2014. In 2006, Costa Rica had lost the World Cup opening game in their only encounter with Germany 2:4.