Thomas Muller and his Germany team-mates were left in tears in the Al Bayt Stadium as they crashed out of Qatar 2022, as the Bayern Munich forward bowed out of international football.
Two goals from substitute Kai Havertz helped Hansi Flick’s side to a 4-2 win over Costa Rica, who are also out of the tournament after finishing bottom of Group E. But the win was not enough as the Germans were eliminated on goal difference.
It is the second time in succession that the four-times champions have not made the knockout stages. Serge Gnabry gave Germany a first half lead, but Costa Rica actually went ahead with goals from Yeltsin Tejeda and a Manuel Neuer own goal before the Havertz double and a Niclas Fullkrug effort restored order.
But it was not enough to save Germany’s World Cup hopes as Japan held on for a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over Spain in a result which ultimately took both teams through at the expense of Flick’s team, who were among the pre-competition favourites.
It also brings an end to one of Germany’s greatest international careers as veteran forward Muller appeared to confirm after the match that his time on that stage was now over. It came eight years after he played an instrumental role in his nation’s World Cup victory in Brazil.
Muller said in his post-match interview: "We have had many great moments together. Thank you for everything." He added: "If that was my last game for Germany, a few words to the German fans: It was a tremendous pleasure.
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"Thank you very much. I always tried to show heart on the pitch. Sometimes there were tears of joy, sometimes pain. I did it with love. I need to think about everything else now."
Muller netted an impressive 44 goals across 121 international appearances, complimenting his superb club career for Bayern Munich. The forward has netted 290 goals across his senior career, and is likely to hit the 300-goal landmark this season.
The forward is also one of the most prolific goalscorers in the history of the World Cup with ten goals to his name – netting five goals in 2010 and another five in 2014, but did not find the net in either of Germany’s group stage exits in 2018 or 2022.
