'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
SCORE: Germany 1-1 Spain
SCORERS: Germany - Thomas Muller 35'; Spain - Rodrigo 6'
Spain travelled to Germany to take on their national side at Esprit Arena is Dusseldorf. The pleasantries seemed to go on for far too long as the hosts let the visitors take the lead with just 6 minutes on the clock. Rodrigo justifying his selection ahead of the more established Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata by adding to his 16 for Valencia already in the campaign.
Thomas Muller was having none of it though, as the German rifled the ball into the top-left corner with a stunning effort to level things up. That's how it stayed right till the end as both teams seemed satisfied to share the spoils after a good night's work.
#5 This Spain unit looks re-energised
Not that long ago, people were writing up Spanish football's obituary following their humiliation at the hands of Netherlands who romped past them 1-5 in the group stage, halting their progress in the World Cup in 2014.
The Spanish side managed to get past the group stage in the Euros - two years later, despite losing to Croatia in the process. But lost in the next round to an Italian side very much under transition.
If tonight's performance is anything to go by, those days are long past, as Lopetegui seems to have got this side hungry again. The Spaniards came out all guns blazing forcing the World Champions on the back-foot. They kept possession and got an early feel for the ball.
Things were only beginning to settle into the passing pattern that Spain revel in, when the in-form Valencia man put his side ahead with just 6 minutes played. Iniesta at the heart of it all again for Spain with a typical assist.
The World Cup winning side of 2012, and even more so the one that lifted the Euro Cup two years later, never liked not having possession of the ball. But Julen Lopetegui's Spain are much more at ease without the ball as well.
In fact the visitors' best moments came when Germany had pushed high up the field with the technically adept outfielders of Spain picking up the ball in pockets of spaces and looking to counter.
Since the members of the squad: Isco, Thiago, Koke and Carvajal have all found much more game-time with top-level clubs since their last major international engagements, it could mean that they're finally ready to step up on the biggest stage in the World.
#4 Andres Iniesta could still be doing this at 43, or 53, or...
The magician was at it again last night, finding a way to stay ahead of those trying to replace him in the national side. Clearly, they've not noticed that it cannot be done. The Barcelona man (if we can call him that) has wandered across football grounds for the past two decades, leaving no tracks behind, gliding effortlessly. But his imprint on the game is simply unparalleled.
We got talking on how good Iniesta is and no one could disagree on letting him have absolute cult status in the footballing heritage. The status afforded to only an elite few. Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zidane... Not even Xavi makes that list.
The former World Cup winner had recently said that he sees himself start for Barcelona for another two years. We think he's massively lowballing it!
#3 Germany show what Champions are made of
The reigning World Champions are a team which is greater than the sum of its parts, but when each part is already top quality, the result is something else.
A squad full of talented players who have the spirit of basically every German football team ever. The resilience and efficiency of the Germans is unparalleled. If you want to learn how to play football, ask the Brazilians. If you want to learn how to win, you ask the Germans.
The Confederations Cup Winners found themselves behind through Rodrigo's strike but retaliated with the will and might of Champions and their captain lead from the front. A wonder strike from Thomas Muller from just outside the box was just what the doctor ordered. And Muller with the precision of a surgeon, sliced the Spain defence apart.
The shot found the top corner beyond the despairing dive of David de Gea. And the Champions were level. They had deservedly found a way back into the game having reacted well after going behind. But that's what Champions do - they always find a way.
#2 Both teams look a little light in attack
Despite having incredible depth in other departments, the attacking options for both teams remain limited. Germany are struggling to replace the certainty of Mirosolav Klose's goals while Spain are finding it hard to replicate the success of David Villa.
Thomas Muller scored Germany's leveller although, Timo Werner proved to be a constant menace for the Spanish centre-backs.
He gave Jordi Alba and Dani Carvajal a run for their money as well as he kept switching sides to find a route to goal. The 22-year-old has blistering pace and can turn on the thrusters which allows him to give the defenders a yard or two.
Rodrigo also impressed on his start and got the job done for Spain. A wonderful finish afforded his side the opportunity to slow down the tempo of the game.
All this accounted for, we cannot still help but wonder if the choices that Joachim Low has at his disposal up-front are few and far between. The same can be said about Spain's manager.
Diego costa is still unable to mesh with the Spanish midfielders. Alvaro Morata has also had a start-stop debut season in the Premier League and following his injury cannot be the only one entrusted with the burden of scoring all the goals.
The Chelsea man was reportedly unhappy with the snub from the national side and already seems to be out of favour with his boss.
#1 The game reminded us why we love international competitions
The focus on club football, as a result of all that money being pumped in, has led to the gloss of international competitions being lost. Football these days is undeniably about what happens in the club competitions, but every now and then international fixtures give us a glimpse of what it is about these events that draw us to them.
The brotherhood that these compatriots share with each other is often on display in such matches. But it isn't just all love and pleasantries in these friendlies. These are serious competitors who want to win every game, more so where they don their country's shirt.
The battles that such matches allow us to witness are intriguing. Connections from time together at the various clubs across the world to rivalries from European football spilling over in such competitions, international matches provide an opportunity to win some much needed bragging rights over club teammates or league rivals.
With Cristiano outdoing Mohammed Salah in Portugal and Kroos using his experience of playing alongside many in the Spain national squad for Madrid, the clashes on the field are absolutely fascinating.
We CANNOT WAIT for the World Cup to start already!
