Germany dumped out of World Cup as Japan stun Spain

Germany crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage for the second time in succession despite a 4-2 win against Costa Rica on Thursday.

The four-time World Cup winners came into the match needing a win but were also relying on the result of Japan's game with Spain to progress.

But the Germans were eliminated from Group E due to goal difference as Japan followed up their defeat of Germany with another shock result by beating Spain 2-1.

"It is unbelievably bitter for us because our result would have been enough," forward Thomas Mueller said. "It's a feeling of powerlessness."

Germany took an early lead but briefly fell behind in the second half as coach Hansi Flick made a flurry of changes, reacting to the live score of the Japan v Spain fixture.

The Germans started positively, with Flick's all-Bayern Munich front line turning the screws early, battering the Costa Rica defence before Serge Gnabry got his head to a curling cross from Leipzig defender David Raum after 10 minutes to open the scoring.

Midfielder Leon Goretzka almost doubled Germany's lead just five minutes later but his header was directly at Keylor Navas.

Complacency began to creep into Germany's game. Keysher Fuller, Costa Rica's goal-scoring hero in a 1-0 win against Japan, forced Manuel Neuer into a fingertip save after some half-hearted defending from Raum and Antonio Ruediger.

Flick moved Kimmich back to his familiar defensive midfield position at half-time, bringing on Lukas Klostermann at the expense of Goretzka, who like Kimmich started the match on a yellow.

Just seven minutes into the second half, word crept around the Al Bayt Stadium that Japan had scored two quick goals to take the lead against Spain, a result which would force Germany out of the