Germany 1-1 Spain: Germany keeps qualification hopes alive in thriller against Spain
Germany and Spain played out a thrilling 1-1 draw in the Group E clash at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.
Substitute Alvaro Morata put Spain ahead just after the hour mark with a lovey first time finish but Germany equalised late on through a substitute of their own. Niclas Füllkrug found space in the box and hammered home an emphatic finish to keep Germany’s hopes of qualification alive.
Spain made just the one change from their 7-0 drubbing of Costa Rica, with Dani Carvajal replacing César Azpilicueta. Carvajal had a slight injury issue in the first game so it was an expected alteration from Luis Enrique.
For Germany, Hansi Flick brought in Leon Goretzka for the under-par Kai Havertz, with the Chelsea forward struggling to have an impact in that shock 2-1 defeat against Japan.
Costa Rica blew Group E wide open earlier today when they scored late on through Keysher Fuller to beat Japan 1-0.
Spain nearly got off to a flyer following a spell of possession in Germany’s final third. Dani Olmo fizzed a fierce shot from just outside the box that forced Manuel Neuer into a unconventional save which he tipped onto the bar.
Germany grew into the game just after ten minutes when Leon Goretzka launched a promising counter attack. He drove to the edge of the Spanish box and had Serge Gnabry in support to his right, slipping him in, with Gnabry forcing Unai Simón into a good stop. However, the flag was up for offside in any case.
Spain had 77% possession inside the first 20 minutes, illuminating their dominance over a timid looking German side. Jordi Alba further cranked up the pressure with a low shot that whistled past Neuer’s post.
Simón nearly gifted Germany an opener on the half-hour mark when he passed the ball straight to Gnabry, who cut in and curled a shot just wide of the mark. Huge let off for the Spaniards who were failing to capitalise on their dominance in possession.
Ferran Torres then spurned a great opportunity following a cross from Olmo when he blazed over from close range. The offside flag eventually went up, sparing the Barcelona man’s blushes.
Germany kept Spain at bay and thought they had taken the lead when Antonio Rüdiger’s firm header was ruled out by VAR after the Real Madrid defender drifted into an offside position.
Germany started the second half with a sense of urgency that matched their need for a result. Thomas Müller nearly got in behind Rodri but some good defending from the defensive midfielder turned centre-half prevented the German from getting a shot off.
Muller then turned provider for Kimmich when he teed up the midfielder inside the area, with Kimmich’s shot tipped aside by Simón. Spain were still on top in terms of possession but the Germans were dominating the chances.
Then came the Spanish counter-punch just before the hour mark.
Olmo switched the ball out wide to Alba who drilled a first time cross into substitute Álvaro Morata, whose deft first-time flick flew into the roof of the net past Neuer. It came against the run of play, with Germany having just established a foothold in the game.
The Spaniards nearly had a second moments later when Marco Asensio was found by Olmo in acres of space, but his effort was skied over the German goal.
Germany then had a golden opportunity to get level 20 minutes from time. Substitute Leroy Sane slipped in Musiala who had time in the box to pick his spot, but smashed his shot straight at Simón.
In the 83rd minute, Germany got their equaliser. Sané played through Musiala whose flick found substitute Niclas Füllkrug inside the box. The substitute produces a thunderous effort into the top corner. German reprieve at last.
Morata gave German fans a scare late on when he found space inside the area but was denied by a superb challenge from substitute Nico Schlotterbeck.
The Germans pushed for a late winner but a draw was the end result, which was a fair result in the end.
Germany now must win their last game against Costa Rica and hope that Japan don’t get a result against Spain. The Spaniards have still not secured qualification from Group E, but a win or draw against Japan will secure them passage to the knockouts.
