- Germany were stunned by Japan in their World Cup opener.
- Spain thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 on the same day.
- Spain are looking for their second World Cup title.
- Germany have won the World Cup four times.
- Rankings: Germany (11), Spain (7).
Germany XI: Manuel Neuer, David Raum, Antonio Rudiger, Thilo Kehrer, Niklas Sule, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan, Jamal Musiala, Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry
Who to watch in Germany’s squad?
Thomas Muller, the seventh-leading scorer in German international history, has racked up 10 World Cup goals.
The German star, who has taken home two Champions League crowns, two Club World Cups and a record 11 Bundesliga titles, failed, however, to shine in his first contest in Qatar.
Muller will lean on a stellar cast of fellow Bayern Munich teammates, including Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Ilkay Gundogan netted Germany’s lone goal on a penalty kick at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
Spain XI: Unai Simon, Dani Carvajal, Rodri, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba, Gavi, Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio, Dani Olmo
One selection of note is Rodri as a centre-back as he customarily plays as a defensive midfielder for club side, Manchester City. It will be interesting to see how he fares throughout the match
Who to watch out for in the Spain squad?
Gavi, of course.
Spain’s midfielder Pablo Martín Páez Gavira, 18, made history in his team’s 7-0 trouncing of Costa Rica this week, becoming the youngest World Cup goal-scorer since Pele, tallying Spain’s fifth goal in the lopsided match.
The midfielder poses a major threat to Germany’s narrowing odds at surviving Group E.
A new generation of Spanish youngsters will lead the charge, presided over by veteran midfield general Sergio Busquets. Look for Busquets’s crisp passing game to generate some chances for Spain.
Kick-off!
Both teams are out on the pitch and looking to take the early advantage in this exciting matchup.
Germany will badly need a win if they are to keep their chances of progression intact.
Spain will look to come away with a draw at the minimum after the three points they secured against Costa Rica.
They will sport a 4-1-2-3 formation while Germany will go in with a slightly more defensive 4-2-3-1.
La Roja kick things off in the first half.
1 min: Spain 0-0 Germany
Some rather accomplished passers to feature today
Live Stream HD – Spain vs Germany
Germany have a chance
Goretzka receives the ball from inside his half from Gundogan and makes a surging run forward.
He looks to time a through pass to Gnabry on his right, but puts a bit too much on it as Simon is quick to get out and intercept the ball with a slide.
10 mins: Spain 0-0 Germany
VAR check disallows Rudiger goal
Unfortunately for Germany, a quick VAR check is conducted for possible offside.
It appears on second viewing that Rudiger was just offside when he received the cross.
Huge let-down for Germany as they would have loved to have had the advantage going into the half.
40 mins: Spain 0-0 Germany
Half-time: Spain 0-0 Germany
After Spain receive a late corner from the right side which comes to no avail, the referee blows the whistle for half.
Second half begins
The players are back on the field and ready to go for the second half.
We should be in for an exciting 45 minutes ahead!
It will be Germany’s turn to kick off proceedings.
46 mins: Spain 0-0 Germany
GOAL!
Morata is the quintessential impact substitute as he puts Spain ahead!
After picking up the ball at the half-way line, Spain forge ahead as the ball is switched over to Alba soon after on the far left.
He sends in a quick cross to Morata who is able to get a boot on it as the ball evades Neuer’s big mitts at the near post.
Huge cheers ring from the Spanish faithful at Al Bayt, and we finally have a match on our hands!
63 mins: Spain 1-0 Germany
Germany in desperation mode
Given the previous changes, it is clear Flick has just one thing in mind: Get a goal right now!
72 mins: Spain 1-0 Germany
Balde comes on for Spain
Alba, after receiving a knee to his back courtesy of Klostermann while trying to win an aerial challenge, is taken off to rousing applause.
83 mins: Spain 1-0 Germany
GOAL!
Fullkrug makes it 1-1!
German prayers are answered as Fullkrug scores a monumental goal to bring back his side into this contest.
After the ball pings back and forth as the Germans advance on the Spanish end, the ball ends up at the feet of the forward towards the right side of the box.
He is given the necessary space to rocket the ball right into the net as the German contingent in the crowd goes wild.
83 mins: Spain 1-1 Germany
Six minutes of stoppage time
With a more contentious second half, it is no surprise the fourth official has added six minutes of stoppage time.
90+2 mins: Spain 1-1 Germany
Full-time: Spain 1-1 Germany
After a blistering last five minutes, the referee blows the final whistle.
What a match that was! Germany looked done and dusted after Morata put Spain ahead.
Realising how dire their situation was after the Japan defeat, Flick was able to make the necessary tactical switches to allow for a comeback.
In the end, the substitutes won the day and Fullkrug will certainly be a popular man back home.
Spain will not be too displeased with the result, however, as they already secured a vital three points in their previous match against Costa Rica.
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