Niclas Fullkrug once again has to settle for a place on the bench for Germany in their must-win World Cup clash with Costa Rica tonight.
The journeyman striker hit the headlines on Sunday after coming off the bench to blast home a vital equaliser for Hansi Flick’s side in their 1-1 heavyweight draw with Spain in Group E.
Werder Bremen frontman Fullkrug’s second Germany goal came on just his third senior cap, with the 29-year-old a wildcard selection for the tournament after injuries to the likes of Timo Werner and Lukas Nmecha.
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However he does not start for Die Mannschaft, who fell to Japan in shock fashion in their opener, needing to win and hope that Spain are not also upset by the Blue Samarai at the same time.
Wins for both Germany and Spain would see Flick’s men through and avoid a second successive group-stage humiliation to follow their triumph in Brazil in 2014, while it will come down to goal difference if La Roja do not triumph in Doha.
Thomas Muller leads the line instead, with Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry either side of Jamal Musiala behind him. Joshua Kimmich looks set to start at right-back in an attacking line-up.
For Costa Rica, a defensive reshuffle is required after that shock defeat of Japan that followed a 7-0 thrashing by Spain, with Francisco Calvo suspended after collecting two yellow cards during the group stage.
Juan Pablo Vargas starts in his place, while Joel Campbell will be relied on to provide some much-needed attacking spark.
Costa Rica XI: Navas, Fuller, Duarte, Waston, Vargas, Oviedo, Tejeda, Aguilera, Borges, Venegas, Campbell
Germany XI: Neuer, Kimmich, Rudiger, Sule, Raum, Goretzka, Gundogan, Sane, Musiala, Gnabry, Muller
