Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross says it's great that Germany just have the possibility of still qualifying for the last 16 of the World Cup.

They need to win their final group game against Costa Rica on Thursday, while they're relying on Spain to beat Japan.

“The first game didn't go the way that we thought it would or wanted it to," Gross told Brighton's website. “The draw with Spain and the win for Costa Rica against Japan has changed the picture. Now there's a chance to still qualify and every German would take that situation all things considered.

“Against Spain we were better [than we were against Japan] and I think if we qualify for the last 16, Germany will be such a tough team to be drawn against.

“Expectations were really high, like they are with England. The expectation for Germany is always to win, but there are a lot of good nations.

“We have always had good number nines, it's an area we've struggled more recently, but [Niklas] Fullkrug is doing really well there now and has been doing so in the league. He is a player who has come into the tournament in form, he showed it with his performance against Spain. He has deserved this moment."