Hofmann and Germany knocked out of the World Cup despite winning, Itakura and Japan into the last 16

The Germany national team and Jonas Hofmann missed out on making the last 16 of the World Cup despite a 4-2 win in their final group game against Costa Rica, because Japan and Ko Itakura managed to win 2-1 against Spain at the same time and with that result secured top spot in the group.

The final matchday of the group stage in Group E developed into an absolute thriller. The order of the four teams in the group changed over and over again at various points in the two games between Germany and Costa Rica as well as Japan and Spain. The end result for Germany and Jonas Hofmann was a 4-2 win over Costa Rica. The goals for Hansi Flick’s side were scored by Serge Gnabry (10’), Kai Havertz (72’, 85’) and Niclas Füllkrug (90+1’).

Ko Itakura (photo: imago images/ANP) started for Japan and played the full 90 minutes. Because Japan managed to turn around a 1-0 deficit against Spain with goals from Ritsu Doan (48’) und Ao Tanaka (51’), the “Samurai Blue” succeeded in winning the group with 6 points, putting them into the last 16. Itakura will be suspended for this game, however, having received his second yellow card of the tournament in the game yesterday.

Spain finished second in the group with 4 points. As a result, both Germany (4 points) and Costa Rica (3 points) have already been knocked out of the tournament. Borussia midfielder Jonas Hofmann watched the whole game from the bench. Itakura and Japan meet Croatia in their last 16 game this coming Monday (16:00 CET).

The last Borussia players hoping to progress to the last 16 in the shape of Yann Sommer and Nico Elvedi play for Switzerland this evening. They meet Serbia in the last game of Group G. Ahead of the game, Switzerland have three points and sit second in the group behind Brazil (6 points). The other teams in the group are Cameroon with three points and Serbia with four.

gladbach's statement on the World Cup

Germany and Jonas Hofmann missed out on qualification to the last 16. Photo: imago images/Marcio Machado/M.i.S.

02.12.2022

Hack named Borussia’s Player of the Month for April

Robin Hack has been voted as Borussia’s Player of the Month for April. The attacker came out on top against three of his teammates in this month’s vote, presented by Cichon Personalmanagement.

03.05.2024

Seoane: “We want to be proactive more than reacting”

Head coach Gerardo Seoane answered the media’s questions in his press conference ahead of the Foals’ Bundesliga game away at Werder Bremen on Saturday (15:30 CEST). We’ve summarised his most important comments.

02.05.2024

Elvedi: “Combine defensive stability with courage going forward”

In this interview, Nico Elvedi is asked about the goalless draw with Union Berlin and his chemistry with Fabio Chiarodia. The Swiss centre-back also looks ahead to this weekend’s clash in Bremen and explains what he thinks it will take to get a result against the Green-Whites.

02.05.2024