AGENCIES

December 2: Four-time champions Germany sensationally crashed out of the World Cup despite a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica on Thursday, as they finished third in Group E after Japan shocked Spain in another match.

Germany, once regarded as nailed-on certainties to go deep into major tournaments, bowed out of the World Cup on goal difference, with Japan's win over Spain proving terminal to their hopes, reported the BBC.

This is the second World Cup in succession that Germany have failed to get out of their group, suffering the same fate in Russia in 2018, the BBC added.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Germany's second successive group stage exit appears shocking for a country with such a history of World Cup success - but it shouldn't have been.

According to the news agency, Germany came to Qatar with a leaky defence that had not kept a clean sheet in a competitive game since their 9-0 victory over Liechtenstein in a World Cup qualifier a year ago.

Since then they have conceded 15 goals in 10 competitive games, while in three friendly matches they conceded one goal against the Netherlands and kept a clean sheet only against Israel and Oman, added Reuters.