Spain's Gavi vies for the ball with Germany's Jamal Musiala, left, during the World Cup group E soccer match between Spain and Germany, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor , Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)World Cup 2022, Spain vs Germany Match Highlights: Thanks to a late equalising goal from Niclas Fullkrug, Germany have given themselves a fighting chance to make it to the Round of 16 after getting a 1-1 draw against Spain on Sunday. The four-time champions suffered their earliest tournament exit in more than 80 years in 2018 when they crashed out in the first round and now face a similar scenario in Qatar. They have never been knocked out at this stage twice in successive World Cups.
Earlier in the day, Croatia thrashed Canada 4-1 to rise to the top of Group F with four points in two matches and a better goal difference than Morocco, who beat Belgium 2-0 to produce one of the upsets of the tournament in the second match of day eight. The first match saw Costa Rica gain their first points in Group E with a 1-0 win over Japan.
Lineups: Spain (4-3-3): Simon; Alba, Laporte, Rodri, Carvajal; Pedri, Busquets, Gavi; Olmo, Asensio, Torres; Germany (4-2-3-1):Neuer; Raum, Kehrer, Rudiger, Sule; Kimmich, Gündoğan; Musiala, Goretzka, Gnabry; Muller
It was tight, fascinating, and tactical.
The pace was frantic, and both teams matched up to each other well. There was, however, a key amount of composure on the ball and incision missing from Germany. When Spain were able to play their short passes and work the ball through their midfield, they looked a much superior team. Until they conceded, and put on a bunch of attacking players out of desperation, Germany had virtually no goal threat.
Back to the drawing board for Hansi Flick and Germany, they give themsleves a fighting chance of qualification to the knockouts with the last match against Costa Rica becoming a must win.
ESP 1-1 GER
What was that?
Sane did everything right, timing his run perfectly, and found space in behind, went one-on-one with Simon with Fulkrug square, and he tried to touch it past Simon and wasted the chance.
And that is FULL TIME.
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Carvajal bungles a header back to his keeper to give a corner.
Kimmich's deep delivery went too deep. Perhaps their last chance to win this game.
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Schlotterbeck off the bench, makes an absolutely crucial challenge, getting the ball off Morata's feet just as he found space and looked to shoot in the box.
BIG.
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The momentum is swinging Germany's way towards the end of this game, despite Spain exerting superiority for most of it.
A big late push is coming.
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Musiala and Sane, again, combine down the right wing, the latter making space on the half turn only for Fulkrug to take it off his feet and shoot high into Simon's goal.
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Fulkrug scores this camapign's most important goal for Germany!
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The Bayern Munich duo providing the brightest (and perhaps only) spark for Germany since the former's introduction after they conceded.
Good bit of interplay on the right wing sees Sane's shot blocked. Fulkrug found space at the age of the area moments later, and won a free kick in a dangerous position. Kimmich hit the wall.
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Mihir Vasavda: The 30-year-old endured a challenging Euro campaign last year, scoring once in three games and also missing a number of opportunities, including chances from the spot.
And for that, he was chastised, booed by Spanish fans and even receiving death threats.
“Maybe I have not done my job as I should,' he was quoted as saying by The Athletic. “I understand that I am criticised because I have not scored a goal, but I wish people would put themselves in the place of what it is like to receive threats, to be told that your children should die.'
A year on, Morata is the toast of the nation. He now has two goals in two matches in Qatar, making an instant impact after coming on as a substitute vs Germany - scoring a goal that leaves one of their greatest rivals on the brink of an early exit while ensuring Spain go through to Round of 16 if the scoreline stays.
Unreal play from the teenager.
The 19-year-old took on three players himself, wriggled his way out of a tight space to make room for a cross, and a crucial challenge from Laporte keeps it away from Fulkrug.
Moments later, the best chance for Germany falls to Musiala, after a brilliant bit of play and well-weighted pass from Sane found him with a lot of time. His shot saved by Simon.
Musiala needs the finishing chops, but he's been the brightest player for Germany.
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Germany have been poor on the ball today. They need a better approach.
More conservative approach. Asensio off for Koke. And Gavi, who looked in sizzling form again, off for Neco Williams.
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They could have been two up!
Great build up play finds Alba in space again, his cross is cleverly left by Morata into the feet of Asensio, who skies it despite having plenty of time.
Big chance.
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Brilliant from Morata!
Great switch of play from Busquets with a long diagonal. The ball fell to Alba, whose grounded cross was flicked over Neuer instinctively.
Enrique vindicated for his early change. Spain have looked like they have that in their locker all day. Wonderful bit of football.
ESP 1-0 GER
WHAT A SAVE!
Simon makes up for giving the ball away. Germany's forward press finally latches onto an error in Spain's buildup from the back, Gundogan picked it up and played in Kimmich, who drew a big save.
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Alvaro Morata is on for Torres. A more traditional number nine, with Asensio moving to the right.
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In the first half, the Germans were surpriningly very willing to take the role of the secondary team.
There was less urgency in their closing down, willing to wait for the right moment to be aggressive. Spain also showed off their technical superiority with great build up play and one, two-touch passing.
Flick's side needs to show more aggression. The game is a must-win for them, Spain would be fine with a draw.
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Gundogan with a clever half turn to win a wide free kick in a promising area.
Disappointing ball from Raum.
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Lovely bit of play from Spain.
Asensio breaks with the ball, Olmo's run and physicality takes out a few defenders for him to go through in space down the left. His cross is saved comfortably by Neuer.
Moemnts later Muller finds himself in space in the area, but is adjudged offside.
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Who will break the deadlock first? A massive 45 minutes awaits.
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