Around this stage in the last edition, scenarios were almost same for multiple World Cup winners Germany and Argentina as both the inter-continental rivals were in a position where they needed at least a win to procced to the Round of 16.
Argentina, inspired by Lionel Messi, eventually beat Nigeria, but Germany, the then reigning champions, faced a horrible defeat at the hands of South Korea to get ousted from the first round for the first time in 60 years.
Now, Argentina have their fate written in their match against Poland the day before, while four-time winners Germany will face Costa Rica in their game of survival at Al Bayt Stadium Thursday.
With an awful start to the tournament - a 2-1 defeat to Japan - Hansi Flick's men showed some of their resurgence in the following match to secure a much-needed point in the 1-1 draw with Spain.
Germany now need to beat Costa Rica to qualify, and pray that Spain don't lose to the Blue Samurais.
On the other hand, Costa Rica, who were hammered 7-0 by Spain but fought back to show their true character to win against Japan, can qualify with a win and a draw, if the other Group E encounter goes in their favor.
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Seasoned campaigner Thomas Muller wants more support from his German team-mates as the winner of the 2014 edition hopes to ensure that the clash against Costa Rica is not his last World Cup game.
"I think against Costa Rica we will be a lot of the time in the opponents' box compared to our game against Spain, and there it will come down to how we play in the box. We have a lot of humility. We have one point and minus one goal difference so there is no reason to be really euphoric,” Mueller told a press conference last Tuesday.
Muller was also not happy with his performances as the veteran went goalless in the last 10 World Cup matches, and he asked his colleagues around him to better their game and support him.
“This is how I want to set an example. In the end, as I know, you will be evaluated as an offensive player by your goals or goal involvements. Having no shots on goal in two games, I am not happy,” said the Bayern Munich midfielder.
“We don't have many players like Jamal Musiala who in any zone of the pitch can create their own chances. I don't see myself like that, I need some support,” added Muller, who was the 2014 World Cup's second-top goalscorer with five goals, and the Golden Boot winner four years prior to that.
One of the changes in the German side might come in the form of Bayern star Leroy Sane, who didn't feature against Japan, but came on against Spain with 20 minutes to go, and could start in the must-win game against Costa Rica.