AL KHOR, Qatar (Reuters) – Serge Gnabry scored an early goal to give Germany a 1-0 lead over Costa Rica at halftime in their World Cup Group E game at Al Bayt stadium on Thursday.
With Germany needing to win the match to have any chance of avoiding a second-successive group stage elimination from the World Cup, Gnabry headed in a David Raum cross in the 10th minute.
Alvaro Morata’s goal in the 12th minute handed group leaders Spain a 1-0 advantage over Japan in the other match.
As it stands Germany will reach the last 16 where they will meet Morocco, while Spain will win group E to face 2018 runners-up Croatia.
(Reporting by Shady Amir in AL KHOR; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
