Los Ticos sees themselves within a win of qualifying for the second round as they prepare for a mouthwatering Group E battle against Germany tomorrow at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Costa Rica refused to let a seven-goal humiliation at the hands of Spain affect them as they prepared to play a Japanese club who had beaten Germany only four days earlier. Nonetheless, the Asian country would be humiliated this time.
Keysher Fuller’s 81st-minute effort sparked joyful celebrations for the Costa Ricans, whose destiny is once again in their own hands.
Costa Rica will advance to the second round for only the third time in their history if they defeat Germany, putting them in third place with second-placed Japan and one point behind top-of-the-table Spain.
Germany must win to move into the top two on Thursday, and a win for Flick’s squad combined with a win for Spain over Japan would guarantee that the one-point basement team goes to the last 16.
Centre-back Francisco Calvo will miss the game due to suspension, while Flick was encouraged by the return of Leroy Sane to the team, recovering from a knee injury in time to appear as a substitute against Spain.
