Spain 6-0 Germany: 5 Talking Points as 'Die Mannschaft' succumb to record defeat | UEFA Nations League 2020-21

Spain v Germany - UEFA Nations League
Spain v Germany - UEFA Nations League

Spain put six goals past a hapless Germany to seal their place in the UEFA Nations League Final 4 in emphatic style. La Roja scored three goals apiece in each half, making this Germany's worst ever defeat in a competitive fixture.

In what was supposed to be a must-win game for the hosts, with the visitors just needing a draw to progress to the next stage, Ferran Torres & Co. ran rings around the German defence.

With Spain's resurgence being built around the young guns, and misfiring Germany's downward spiral going from bad to worse, we take a look at:

5 Talking Points from Spain vs Germany


#5 Unai Simon keeps his place

Spain Training Session
Spain Training Session

The 23-year old Athletic Bilbao keeper, who had started the mid-week friendly against Netherlands as well as the Nations League game on Saturday against the Swiss, continued to be entrusted with the duties in between the sticks ahead of the likes of David De Gea and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The Manchester United shot-stopper has been under the scanner for quite some time now, with his shoddy displays reflecting the overall mood at Old Trafford too. Kepa, on the other hand, seems to have fallen out of favour with Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, with new recruit Edouard Mendy becoming the automatic choice in the XI. While La Roja should be celebrating this win and rightly so, coach Enrique does have a selection headache in deciding who is his No.1 goalie.


#4 Germany failed to deal with crosses and set-pieces

Spain v Germany - UEFA Nations League
Spain v Germany - UEFA Nations League

As early as the 7th minute, Sergio Ramos drilled a free-kick under the wall from the edge of the box towards the bottom left corner, which was only just parried away by an outstretched Manuel Neuer.

By the end of the first forty-five, Spain had scored two goals through headers from corner kicks, and the other one too was the aftermath of a well-directed header on the frame of the goal. Another goal, a tap-in for Alvaro Morata, set up by a low cross from Ferran Torres, was ruled offside.

All these instances show Germany's clear inability in averting danger from crosses, corners and free-kicks. The relatively inexperienced duo of Robert Koch and Nicolas Sule could not match the movement and agility of Alvaro Morata and Ferran Torres.

#3 Fabian was the Super-sub for Spain

Spain v Germany - UEFA Nations League
Spain v Germany - UEFA Nations League

In the 12th minute of the game, much before the onslaught had even started, Sergio Canales was taken off due to injury. In came Fabian Ruiz Pena, and the rest as they say, is history.

The Napoli midfielder notched three assists, two of which were well-taken corner kicks. The third one was a measured pass past a hapless German defence, which set the ball on a platter for an on-rushing Ferran Torres to complete his treble.

Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and even Ancelotti's Everton are showing interest in the 24-year-old in recent times. With this performance, Fabian is a real contender for a starting midfield spot heading into the Nations League finals and Euros.


#2 Ferran Torres was clearly Man of the Match

Spain v Germany - UEFA Nations League
Spain v Germany - UEFA Nations League

"We've got Torres, Ferran Torres, I just don't think you understand, He's Pep's new boy, He's better than Leroy, We've got Ferran Torres!"

That is the chant Manchester City fans have lined up for their new recruit from Valencia. And seeing the 22-year old put in a perfect performance to dismantle Germany in a must-win game, Pep Guardiola and that lot in Manchester can certainly be hopeful of more to come.

Torres scored all three goals from open play which is quite an achievement. The right winger missed a couple of decent chances in the first half, and in hindsight, could have put Spain in seventh heaven of sorts. But he clearly made amends in the second half, especially as the third goal was one for the ages.

Overall, this was his best night in Spain colours, and he was a major factor in a convincing victory in Seville.


#1 Could Germany's Lack of Intent be Traced back to Joachim Low's Decisions?

Spain v Germany - UEFA Nations League
Spain v Germany - UEFA Nations League

After the 2018 World Cup failure, Joachim Low prematurely took a call to axe Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels from Die Mannschaft, a decision that didn't go well with many in the country.

Fast forward two years, and Germany's downward surge just seems to be going on and on. While some younger players like Timo Werner, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry have upped their game, the results for the team as a whole does not present a pretty picture.

Germany were nearly relegated from the Nations League last year, until a re-organisation in competition structure saved them. Even this time around, they looked a pale shadow of the 'World Champion' team they once were.

On the night, they failed to get a single shot on target, and let Spain play a mammoth 812 passes at 93% accuracy rate, letting the hosts assert their dominance and run riot.

While Joachim Low now has too many loopholes to plug after an embarrassing defeat, it would also be interesting to see how players returning to their clubs cope with this record mauling.

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