Spain and Germany were the two clear pre-tournament favorites in Group E of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but only one survived and it wasn't as a first-place team.
Japan beat both European powers to claim first place in Group E. The Asian side fell behind both times, but rebounded in the second half for a 2-1 win on each occasion. Those six points were enough to overcome an unexpected trip against Costa Rica and clinch first place for the Japanese.
Joining them in the knockout stage was Spain, who edged out Germany on goal difference. Both sides beat Costa Rica, both lost to Japan, and they tied the head-to-head between them 1-1. That left them even on points, but since Spain beat Costa Rica 7-0 and Germany only managed a 4-2 win, the goal difference tiebreaker favored the Spanish.
Left out in the cold with the Germans were Costa Rica, who at point on the final day were in the top two spots after taking a momentary 2-1 lead over the Germans. They lost 4-2 to foil the miraculous qualification bid. But the world will remember the Ticos rebounding from a 7-0 opening day loss to challenge for a spot in the knockouts although ultimately not succeeding.
WORLD CUP GROUPS:
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D
Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H
World Cup Group E table
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Japan-Q | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 |
| 2. Spain-Q | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | +6 |
| 3. Germany-E | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 |
| 4. Costa Rica-E | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | -8 |
- Q = Qualified to Round of 16
- E = Eliminated
Group E schedule, results
| Date | Match | |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Germany 1, Japan 2 | Highlights |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Spain 7, Costa Rica 0 | Highlights |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Japan 0, Costa Rica 1 | Highlights |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Spain 1, Germany 1 | Highlights |
| Thu, Dec. 1 | Japan 2, Spain 1 | Highlights |
| Thu, Dec. 1 | Costa Rica 2, Germany 4 | Highlights |
MORE: 2022 World Cup Group standings
The four teams played a round-robin format with each nation facing the other three. Group standings were based on points from those three group-stage matches — three points for a win, one for a draw, none for a loss.
The top two teams from each group based on total points advanced to the single-game knockouts. If teams were tied on points, goal difference was the first tiebreaker, followed by goals scored. If teams were also tied in those categories another set of tiebreakers was applied.
World Cup Group E teams
Spain
Spain remain in something of a transitional phase heading into Qatar 2022, as they look to finally emulate the success last enjoyed on the global stage at the 2010 World Cup.
The emergence of prospects such as Pedri, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati bodes well for the future, but it remains to be seen whether Spain will be strong enough to go all the way in Qatar. That said, their 2021 Nations League run — where La Roja were only beaten in the final by France — is another good sign.
Coach Luis Enrique hasn’t been afraid to drop big names such as David de Gea and Sergio Ramos from his squad, with an emphasis on creativity likely to make Spain very difficult to defend against.
- Current FIFA world ranking: No. 7 (November 2022)
- Regional ranking: 5th (UEFA)
- World Cup titles: 1
- World Cup appearances (last): 15 (Russia 2018)
- How qualified: UEFA Group B winners: 6W-1L-1D
- Coach: Luis Enrique (Spain) since November, 2019
- Key players: Pedri (Barcelona / Spain), Rodri (Manchester City / England), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City / England)
MORE: Spain's final 26-man squad for the World Cup
Germany
Germany failed to make amends for a nightmare showing when they attempted to defend their 2014 title in 2018 only to suffer elimination in the group stage.
They took the field in Qatar with Hansi Flick at the helm. He replaced long-time coach Joachim Low who enjoyed many successful runs with the national team.
The highlight of that era came as Germany lifted a fourth world title at Brazil 2014 and, after a disappointing European Championship campaign in 2021 marked Low’s farewell last year, Low's former assistant, Hansi Flick, is leading an exciting new generation keen to make amends.
- Current FIFA world ranking: No. 11 (November 2022)
- Regional ranking: 9th (UEFA)
- World Cup titles: 4
- World Cup appearances (last): 19 (Russia 2018)
- How qualified: UEFA Group J winners: 9W-1L-0D
- Coach: Hansi Flick (Germany) since July, 2021
- Key players: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich / Germany), Kai Havertz (Chelsea / England), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich / Germany)
MORE: Germany 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup
Japan
Japan’s national team has never gone beyond the Round of 16 stage at the World Cup but will be hopeful of enjoying a lengthy run at this year’s tournament after finishing atop Group E.
There is a lot of experience in their squad but there are also some talented young prospects, such as Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo. In addition, Japan boasts players with Premier League credentials, and many fans around the world will already be familiar with Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu and former Liverpool man Takumi Minamino.
Japan were also strong in the lead-up to the tournament, beating off the challenge of Australia to qualify automatically from the Asian region. But it remains to be seen how well the Samurai Blue will fare when they come up against stronger opposition in the knockouts.
- Current FIFA world ranking: No. 24 (November, 2022)
- Regional ranking: 2nd (AFC)
- World Cup titles: —
- World Cup appearances (last): 7 (Russia 2018)
- How qualified: AFC Third Round Group B winners: 7W-2L-1D)
- Coach: Hajime Moriyasu (Japan) since August 2018
- Key players: Takumi Minamino (Monaco / France), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal / England), Maya Yoshida (Schalke / Germany)
MORE: Japan 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Costa Rica
Costa Rica made the most of their trip to Qatar after getting there via the intercontinental playoff after finishing fourth in North American qualifying. International veterans Keylor Navas and Bryan Ruiz managed to top New Zealand 1-0 on a third minute goal from former Arsenal striker Joel Campbell.
But that trio couldn't replicate the magic in Qatar.
Bowing out from Group E at least provided a younger group with some valuable experience as the nation transitions from the older generation of players who gifted them some memorable moments, including once winning a World Cup group featuring Italy, England, and Uruguay in 2014.
- Current FIFA world ranking: No. 31 (November 2022)
- Regional ranking: 3rd (CONCACAF)
- World Cup appearances (last): 5 (Russia 2018)
- Coach: Luis Fernando Suarez (Colombia) since July, 2021
- Key players: Bryan Ruiz (Alajuelense / Costa Rica), Joel Campbell (Leon / Mexico), Celso Borges (Alajuelense / Costa Rica)
MORE: Costa Rica's final 26-man squad for Qatar
World Cup Group E odds and predictions
Here are the pre-tournament odds for each team to win and qualify from the group, with odds provided by Sports Interaction (correct as of November 2022).
Minus odds is what must be wagered to win $100 on that specific bet, while plus odds represent the winnings from a successful $100 wager.
The first-place and second-place finishers in Group E move on to the Round of 16 and will face off against the two teams to advance from Group F on Monday, Dec. 5, and Tuesday, Dec. 6.
| Team | Group Winner | To Qualify |
| Spain | -119 | -909 |
| Germany | +109 | -769 |
| Japan | +1200 | +411 |
| Costa Rica | +4400 | +625 |
MORE WORLD CUP 2022:
Full Qatar 2022 schedule | Latest news
The official FIFA 2022 World Cup match schedule outlines the following knockout pairings for the Round of 16 through to the final:
World Cup Round of 16
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | Netherlands vs. USA | 10 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | Argentina vs. Australia | 2 p.m. | Ahmad Bin Ali |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | France vs. Poland | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | England vs. Senegal | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
| Mon, Dec. 5 | Japan vs. Croatia | 10 a.m. | Al Janoub |
| Mon, Dec. 5 | 1G vs. 2H | 2 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Tues, Dec. 6 | Morocco vs. Spain | 10 a.m. | Education City |
| Tues, Dec. 6 | 1H vs. 2G | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
World Cup Quarterfinals
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | QF1: 1E/2F vs. 1G/2H | 10 a.m. | Education City |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | QF2: 1A/2B vs. 1C/2D | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | QF3: 1F/2E vs. 1H/2G | 10 a.m. | Al Thumama |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | QF4: 1B/2A vs. 1D/2C | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
World Cup Semifinals
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Tues, Dec. 13 | QF2 vs. QF1 | 2 p.m. | Lusail |
| Wed, Dec. 14 | QF4 vs. QF3 | 2 p.m. | Al Bayt |
World Cup 3rd Place
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 17 | Semifinal losers | 10 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l |
World Cup Final
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 18 | Semifinal winners | 10 a.m. | Lusail |