How does Germany get into the World Cup round of 16? This is the situation ahead of Matchday 3 in Group E with Germany, Spain, Japan and Costa Rica.
Costa Rica provided a helping hand with the 1-0 win against Japan: Despite the defeat of the German national soccer team in the World Cup (1-2 against Japan), the team of national coach Hansi Flick still has a chance of reaching the round of 16. After the 1-1 draw against Spain, the DFB-Elf can even make it into the knockout stage on their own. But that requires a thumping victory in the last group game.
Germany is in the round of 16 if they face Costa Rica…
- wins by eight goals difference.
- wins and Spain defeats Japan.
- wins and Spain loses to Japan. In this case, Germany would have to make up nine goals against Spain. If Germany wins 5-0 and Spain loses 0-4, Germany is through. If Germany catches up only eight goals, the DFB-Elf must score at least six more goals against Costa Rica than Spain against Japan. Example: Germany wins 4:0, Spain loses 0:4 – then Spain is still through because of the more goals scored. For example, if Germany wins 7:3 and Spain loses 0:4, the DFB team is through. special case: If Germany wins 6-0 (or 7-1, 8-2…) and Spain loses 0-2 (or 1-3, 2-4…), both teams would be tied on points and goals. Then the fair play rating decides. Spain received only one yellow card, Germany already three. If there is a tie there too, the lot decides.
- win by at least two goals and Spain and Japan draw.
- wins by just one goal and Spain and Japan draw. But then it gets a little more complicated: Germany has to score more often in a win against Costa Rica than Japan in a draw against Spain. If both teams score the same number of times, Japan would be through because of the win in a direct comparison.
Croatia, Morocco, Belgium possible round of 16 opponents
The first and second place in German Group E will meet the number one and two in Group F in the round of 16. On the last day of the group match, vice world champions Croatia, Morocco and Belgium will be fighting for a place in the next round.