Thomas Muller says Germany's World Cup exit after beating Costa Rica 'unbelievably bitter'

Germans won their final Group E match 4-2 but Spain advance as runners-up despite losing to Japan

Germany's Kai Havertz and Niclas Fullkrug after the 4-2 Group E win against Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on December 1, 2022. Despite the result, Germany have been knocked out of the World Cup, along with Costa Rica. EP

Niclas Fullkrug scores Germany's fourth goal past Keylor Navas. Getty

Germany's Kai Havertz celebrates scoring their third goal with Niclas Fullkrug. Reuters

Germany defender Antonio Rudiger looks dejected after their elimination. Getty

Jamal Musiala at the end of the game. EPA

Niclas Fullkrug as Germany are knocked out despite the win. EPA

Germany's Thomas Muller with Kai Havertz as defender Antonio Rudiger watches. AFP

Kai Havertz scores Germany's third goal. PA

Kai Havertz celebrates Germany's third goal. Getty

Germany's Kai Havertz celebrates after scoring their second goal. Getty

Kendall Waston of Costa Rica clashes with Kai Havertz after Germany's second goal. Getty

Costa Rica's Juan Pablo Vargas scores their second goal. PA

Juan Pablo Vargas celebrates with teammates after scoring. Getty

Costa Rica's Yeltsin Tejeda celebrates after scoring. Getty

Costa Rica's Yeltsin Tejeda levels at 1-1 with Germany. Getty

Yeltsin Tejeda of Costa Rica celebrates after scoring. Getty

Germany's Serge Gnabry scores the first goal against Costa Rica. Getty

Serge Gnabry celebrates with Thomas Muller after scoring. EPA

Serge Gnabry scores the opening goal against Costa Rica. EPA

Thomas Muller described Germany's second successive first-round exit from the World Cup as an "absolute catastrophe" while teammate Kai Havertz likened it to "watching a horror movie".

Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 on Thursday while Spain's defeat to Japan left both Spain and Germany on four points but saw the Spaniards advance to the last 16 on goal difference.

"It is unbelievably bitter for us because our result would have been enough," Muller said of Spain's 2-1 loss to surprise Group F winners Japan.

"It's a feeling of powerlessness."

Muller was part of the 2014 World Cup-winning team and was also in the side that was eliminated at the same stage four years ago in Russia.

Havertz said the fact Germany only discovered their fate Thursday when the result of the game between Japan and Spain was displayed on the stadium's big screen made it even more difficult.

"When it happens this way, it feels like watching a horror movie," said Havertz, who scored two goals against Costa Rica after coming off the bench.

"We learned during the match that Japan were leading, and then the group standings were displayed in the stadium. We still had a little hope that Spain would score.

"But then we noticed that the Japan match was over."

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Havertz blamed the team's performance against Japan for their elimination and hinted that all was not well in German football.

"When you go out twice in the first round and once in the round of 16, it's extremely bitter," he said, the latter a reference to Germany's second-round exit to England at Euro 2020.

"We have to be honest and say that for four years, everything hasn't been going well.

"Now we've been knocked out twice in the group stage. I don't think we're a tournament team anymore."

Coach Hansi Flick, who is under contract until Euro 2024 which will be held in Germany, said he had no plans to step down but admitted "it won't be up to me".

"From my side, there is no reason not to continue," he added. "I enjoy it, we have good players coming through."