Struggling Germany train for final shot at staying in World Cup - in pictures

Coach Hansi Flick looking to the future despite uphill fight for a place in last 16

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  Germany coach Hansi Flick smiles during the training session at Al Shamal Stadium. Getty

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  Hansi Flick with Niclas Fullkrug. Getty

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  Midfielder Jonas Hofmann takes part in the training session in Al Shamal, north of Doha. AFP

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  Germany players take part in a training session at the Al Shamal Stadium. AFP

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  Ddfender Nico Schlotterbeck takes part in the training session. AFP

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  Germany's Serge Gnabry warms up. AP

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  Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan warm up during for training session. AP

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  Christian Gunter, Matthias Ginter and Nico Schlotterbeck prepare to face Costa Rica. AFP

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  Niklas Suele warms up with teammates. Getty

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  Kai Havertz, Niklas Suele, Leon Goretzka and Julian Brandt at the training session. AP

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  Germany's players take part in a training session at the Al Shamal Stadium. AFP

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  Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer juggles a ball. AP

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  Jonas Hofmann and Leon Goretzka take part in training. AFP

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  German players joke during the training session at the Al-Shamal Stadium. AP

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  Ilkay Gundogan on the run. AFP

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  Coach Hansi Flick with assistant Marcus Sorg. Getty

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  Hansi Flick with Niclas Fullkrug. Getty

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  AL RUWAIS, QATAR - NOVEMBER 30: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of Germany, interacts with Leon Goretzka of Germany during the Germany Training Session at Al Shamal Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Ruwais, Qatar. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images)

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  Jonas Hofmann controls the ball during the Germany training session. Getty

Coach Hansi Flick has laughed off suggestions he will lose his job if Germany crash out of the World Cup at the group stage for the second tournament in a row.

Germany are on a knife-edge in Qatar, and must beat Costa Rica on Thursday and hope that Spain beat Japan to reach the last 16.

Flick masterminded a final training session before the Costa Rica clash and then maintained he had no plans to step down – although he admitted the decision was not his to take.

"Yes, from my side I can confirm [it won't be my last game]," Flick said with a smile.

"You never know what's around the corner but I am looking forward to Germany's home European Championships [in 2024].

"I have a contract until 2024. But that's still a long way away."

Depending on other results, Germany may need to win by as many as eight goals to avoid a second-successive group stage exit, but Flick said thoughts of goal difference had not entered their mind despite Germany "not having everything in our own hands".

"I think it's a little disrespectful to say we will score eight goals against Costa Rica. We would be happy just to win the game," he said.

Germany find themselves in this position because they suffered a shock defeat in their first match to Japan before snatching a draw with Spain.

Flick insisted he did not feel under pressure ahead of the crucial match.

"What is pressure? In this situation we are playing to go into the round of 16, it's nice and that's why we are here.

"I don't feel any pressure. I didn't feel it after Japan and I don't feel it now."

Pictures of the German squad in their final training session before the key match can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, just swipe.