Costa Rican players celebrating a goal in the match against Japan in Qatar 2022.
Photo: Christopher Lee/Getty Images
The Costa Rican team suffered a humiliating 7-0 win against Spain in their Group E debut at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Despite the strong criticism that they took their elimination in the ecumenical tournament for granted, this Sunday’s victory against Japan and the draw with Germany positions them in a favorable scenario for a hypothetical qualification to the round of 16.
The last meeting of the Central Americans will be against the difficult Germany on December 1st. Group E is led by Spain with four points, Japan and Costa Rica with three and the bottom Bavarians with one point.
Those led by Luis Fernando Suárez have multiple chances of sneaking into the fourth game of the World Cup.
What does Costa Rica need?
It is essential for the ‘ticos’ to overcome Japan. Therefore they will need Spain to beat the Japanese, but their qualification is contingent on a win or draw against Germany. In case of obtaining the same result as the Asians, they will be eliminated on goal difference.
- Spain tie vs. Japan with victory for Costa Rica against Germany.
- Victory of Spain vs. Japan with Costa Rica drawing against Germany.
- Victory of Spain vs. Japan with victory for Costa Rica against Germany.
All the results that deviate from these three scenarios would leave out the Central Americans.
Costa Rica dreams
This Sunday the Costa Rican team came out with a defensive approach respecting a rival (Japan) that was able to beat a champion with Germany. The strategy would work, because at minute 81 they were able to make a difference on the scoreboard and seal the commitment with a goal from Keysher Fuller.
In a post-match press conference, the coach expressed his satisfaction with the result and urged them not to consider them dead yet.
“We are not dead (…) Today Costa Rica was Costa Rica again. With the desire to do well and to give himself up for a country, ”she declared.
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