Matthäus says Germany will qualify as interest in World Cup grows at home
They played a good game, improved and deserved to get a point. The German virtues, which we had been lacking recently, are back. Lothar Matheus
GERMAN icon Lothar Matthäus firmly believes that Hansi Flick’s team will reach the last 16 at the World Cup in Qatar. Germany face Costa Rica on Thursday needing to win while hoping Japan do not beat Spain.
The side went out in the group stage four years ago for the first time after losing the decider to South Korea, but Matthäus does not expect a repeat. “We have players who were not there then, the coach is now Hansi Flick and not Jogi Löw. And Costa Rica are not as strong as South Korea,” Matthäus wrote in his column for Sport Bild on Wednesday.
The 61-year-old also believes a “big victory” is even possible on Thursday, which would help if Japan win against Spain. Germany are fighting to qualify for the knock-out stages having lost their opener 2-1 to Japan.
“Our chance of progressing is much greater than the risk of elimination,” Matthäus said as he praised the Germany team for the 1-1 draw with Spain.
“They played a good game, improved and deserved to get a point. The German virtues, which we had been lacking recently, are back.” His enthusiam appears to be spreading to the German population.
An opinion poll conducted by YouGov showed 37% of Germans said they would watch the Costa Rica game live.
Only 24% had indicated in a previous survey that they would watch the first group match against Japan, with the figure at 33% for the Spain game.