Doha, Qatar - Japan sent Germany packing from the World Cup after beating Spain on a mind-blowing final match day in Group E!

At the end of a dramatic night in Qatar, it's Japan and Spain who qualified to the last 16, after the Samurai Blue's shocking 2-1win over another tournament favorite made them group winners.

It rendered Germany's 4-2 over Costa Rica meaningless, as the 2014 champions crash out in the group stage for the second World Cup running.

Both Hansi Flick's side – who were stunned by Japan last week – and Spain took early leads in results which would have put them through together.

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But it all changed in the second half, with Japan scoring two quick goals against the Spanish, including a controversial second from Ao Tanaka. The officials originally ruled it out due to the ball going out of play in the build up, but the Video Assistant Referee decided the whole circumference hadn't crossed the byline.

That ended up being the goal that knocked out Germany, who had enough drama to deal with in their own game. Costa Rica equalized, then went ahead, despite the Europeans hitting the post three times.

A win would have sent Costa Rica through to the next round at the expense of Spain, but substitute Kai Havertz scored twice and Niclas Füllkrug got another to save Luis Enrique's team. The favor wasn't returned in the other game, which left German players on their knees at full time.

"For me personally this is an absolute catastrophe," Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller told ARD, suggesting he will now retire from international football.

Another piece of history was made by the referee in the Germany - Costa Rica game. Stéphanie Frappart became the first woman to officiate a men's World Cup game.

On Monday, Japan will face Croatia, who qualified earlier by eliminating Belgium with a 0-0 draw. Spain take on surprise Group F winners Morocco on Tuesday.