Germany's chances of a 2022 FIFA World Cup last-16 spot will depend on their final Group E match against Costa Rica, on December 1.
Hansi Flick's side lost 2-1 to Japan in their opening game in one of the biggest group-stage shocks so far in Qatar – then the four-time champions were on course to be dumped out of the tournament with a game to spare when Spain took the lead against them in their second game.
International newcomer Niclas Fullkrug's 83rd-minute equaliser means that while their destiny is all-but out of their hands, they are in a much stronger position to avoid a repeat of their group-stage exit at Russia 2018.
Germany will be desperate to avoid an early departure — but can Flick's charges still make the knockouts, rather than being consigned to an early flight home from the Middle East?
MORE: How many times have Germany won the World Cup?
Can Germany still qualify?
Germany must win their final group game against Costa Rica to stand a chance of reaching the last 16 in Qatar. They are out if they lose or draw.
They will definitely go through if they are victorious and Spain beat Japan in the other final-round game in Group E.
If Japan earn a draw, goal difference will be crucial. It is extremely unlikely Germany will overtake Spain in that instance because they would need to win by eight goals and hope they score more goals on the day than La Roja to do so.
They have a much more realistic chance of catching second-placed Japan in that instance. Germany would either need to win by two goals or win by a goal and hope they score more goals than Japan on the day.
World Cup Group E table and results
Here is how Group E looks as things stand:
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Spain | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | +7 |
| 2. Japan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 3. Costa Rica | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -6 |
| 4. Germany | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
Here are the remaining Group E fixtures at Qatar 2022:
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Germany 1, Japan 2 | HIGHLIGHTS | - |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Spain 7, Costa Rica 0 | HIGHLIGHTS | - |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Japan 0, Costa Rica 1 | HIGHLIGHTS | - |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Spain 1-1 Germany | N/A | Al Bayt |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Japan vs. Spain | 2 p.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
| Thurs, Dec. 1 | Costa Rica vs. Germany | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
Germany's World Cup record
Germany — and previously West Germany — have been one of the most consistent national teams in World Cup history, with 20 appearances from 22 tournaments.
That record is the second highest, behind only to Brazil, with the five-time winners appearing in all 22 World Cups since 1930.
A group-stage exit in 2018 — where they finished bottom of their group — caused a wave of national shock and the ultimate drawn-out departure of ex-Germany boss Joachim Low, and it marked a new low for the German team.
Prior to 2018, Germany/West Germany had reached at least the last eight in every World Cup since 1982, with their only other first round/group-stage exit coming in 1938 (when the competition was a straight knockout starting at the last 16).
| World Cup | Stage Reached | Record (W-D*-L) | Goals |
| 1930 | DNE** | - | - |
| 1934 | Third Place | 3-0-1 | 11 |
| 1938 | First Round | 0-1-1 | 3 |
| 1950 | Banned by FIFA | - | - |
| 1954 | Won | 5-0-1 | 25 |
| 1958 | Fourth Place | 2-2-2 | 12 |
| 1962 | Quarterfinals | 2-1-1 | 4 |
| 1966 | Runners-up | 4-1-1 | 15 |
| 1970 | Third Place | 5-0-1 | 17 |
| 1974 | Won | 6-0-1 | 13 |
| 1978 | Second Group Stage | 1-4-1 | 10 |
| 1982 | Runners-up | 3-2-2 | 12 |
| 1986 | Runners-up | 3-2-2 | 8 |
| 1990 | Won | 5-2-0 | 15 |
| 1994 | Quarterfinals | 3-1-1 | 9 |
| 1998 | Quarterfinals | 3-1-1 | 8 |
| 2002 | Runners-up | 5-1-1 | 14 |
| 2006 | Third Place | 5-1-1 | 14 |
| 2010 | Third Place | 5-0-2 | 16 |
| 2014 | Won | 6-1-0 | 18 |
| 2018 | Group Stage | 1-0-2 | 2 |
*Denotes draws, including knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Did not enter
Germany World Cup finals
- Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
- Runners-up (1966, 1982, 1986, 2002)