‘Humble’ Germany’s last-chance saloon

Germany veteran Thomas Mueller said his side would "stay humble" with their World Cup group stage exit in 2018 fresh in their minds ahead of Thursday's must-win clash with Costa Rica.

Niclas Fuellkrug's 83rd-minute equaliser against Spain on Sunday put Germany's challenge back on track after a damaging opening defeat to Japan.

Germany's hopes of qualifying for the last 16 in Qatar are not entirely in their hands even if they defeat underdogs Costa Rica.

A win for Japan against the Spanish in the simultaneous game would mean Germany must outdo Spain's goal difference, which has been heavily boosted by La Roja's 7-0 annihilation of the Costa Ricans in their opening fixture.

Mueller said however he was just focusing on beating Costa Rica, who bounced back in their second game to beat Japan 1-0.

"When the football world looks at Germany versus Costa Rica, from the outside looking in we are the favourites and it is clear that we should win," Mueller said on Tuesday.

"We are staying humble. We have only one point and a minus one goal difference, there's no reason for us to be euphoric."

Mueller, 33, refused to confirm whether Qatar would be his final World Cup, but admitted "my mind went there a little after the Japan game".

However, after the Spain result, "the thoughts of this being my last World Cup evaporated."

Mueller praised Fuellkrug's "killer instinct" against Spain, saying he had delivered another "Goetze moment", in reference to Mario Goetze's additional time winner in the 2014 final in the Maracana.

Despite perhaps securing himself a first-ever Germany start against Costa Rica thanks to his late equaliser, late developer Fuellkrug said on Tuesday the team needed to "be realistic".