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Spain and Germany played out a 1-1 draw in a strategically driven, intense Group E game at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Sunday (November 27).
After a goalless first half, Spain took the lead through Alvaro Morata in the 62nd minute. Germany, though, came back from the brink, with Niclas Fullkrug forcing a share of the spoils seven minutes from time.
The two Group E heavyweights came into the crucial game after contrasting results in their first assignment. Luis Enrique's exuberant Spanish side stitched together over a 1000 passes to aesthetically dismantle Costa Rica 7-0. Hansi Flick's Germany, meanwhile, were handed a shock 2-1 loss by Japan after controlling the game for large stretches.
However, if La Roja were expecting an easy ride in this one, they were not to be granted their wishes. Though Spain dominated possession, they were constantly pressed high up in the pitch and given little room to manuever the ball by the Germans.
The Mannschaft began in a 4-2-3-1, but pressed in a 4-2-4 formation when off the ball. That resulted in the Spaniards getting in trouble while playing out from the back and not creating enough openings up top.
Their first attempt on goal came through a searing long-ranger in the seventh minute from Dani Olmo. He cut in from the left after receiving the ball from Marco Asensio and unleashed his shot. Manuel Neuer could only unconvincingly parry it into his bar as Germany survived.
Chances were at a premium as Jodi Alba also tried his luck from long range but shot just wide of the near post minutes later. Meanwhile Germany also had their moments and had the ball in the goal late in the first half. In the 39th minute, Joshua Kimmich floated in a tantalising free-kick that Antonio Rudiger powered in with his head.
VAR, though, immediately called it off-side. Rudiger followed that up with a fierce cross-shot from the right on the volley after another free-kick was parried by Unai Simon.
After a tight and tense first half in which Spain complemented their German rivals by limiting space to them, the game opened up in the second. Germany knew a win was important for them and pushed up, allowing more space to the Spanish ball-players who found the net in the 62nd minute through a fine move.
Olmo found the overlapping Alba down the left, whose low first-time cross was met by Morata with a stunning flick past Neuer. The Germans were staring in the abyss, and Flick made wholesale changes.
They also became more adventurous and nearly scored through Jamal Musiala, whose powerful shot was saved by Spain keeper Simon after Musiala was put through on goal.
Two of Flick's subs combined for the equaliser in the 83rd minute. Leroy Sane played a fine reverse through ball that was taken up by Musiala, who then left it for Fullkrug to blast it into the far corner.
Germany had a chance to win it in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Goretzka put Sane through on goal. He tried to round Simon as the 'keeper rushed out but overran the ball.
In the end, the two teams settled for a point apiece. That means Spain top the group with four points. Germany are alive, but only just. They are on one point and at the bottom of the table, with Japan and Costa Rica both ahead of them with three points.
On that note, here are the player ratings from the game.
Spain
Unai Simon - 7/10
One of Spain's standout players on the night, Simon made three saves and commanded his box with might. His decision-making was also above par.
Dani Carvajal - 5.5/10
Not quite vintage Carvajal, as he was not on his characteristic marauding runs down the wing. He also gave away a needless corner late in the game.
Rodri - 7/10
It was fine performance at centre-back from the Manchester City man. His best moment was a great tackle to stop Sane in full flow in the second half with Germany on the ascendancy.
Aymeric Laporte - 6/10
He had an assured stint in the heart of defence for Spain, making 90% of his passes and holding his shape. Laporte was a bit overrun late in the second half as Germany pushed forward with might.
Jordi Alba - 7/10
He might be a bit of an outcast at Barcelona, but the decorated left-back still has oodles of class. His brilliant assist for the Morata goal was evidence of that. Alba hardly put a foot wrong as well.
Sergio Busquets - 6/10
It was metronomic passing once again from the veteran, who made 93% of them. Busquets could have been a better shield in front of his defence late on under pressure.
Pedri - 6/10
The talented Barcelona youngster was a spirited and commanding, if not very influential, presence in midfield.
Gavi - 5.5/10
One expects a lot from this generational talent, and he will go on to be one of the greatest midfielders of his generation if he continues this rate of progression. It wasn't Gavi's night, though, unlike his fellow prodigy Pedri, as he was crowded out by the German midfield.
Dani Olmo - 6.5/10
The winger had a decent game despite being under a lot of pressure. His early shot stung the fingers of Neuer, and he also played a part in the Spain goal. Olmo made two key passes on the night and 34 of 42 overall.
Marco Asensio - 5.5/10
A poor night by his standards, Asensio was taken off in the 66th minute after managing just one attempt on goal.
Ferran Torres - 5/10
The right winger failed to impress. Torres once strayed off-side and blasted over from a good chance and was also caught napping on possession a few times.
Spain Substititutes
Alvaro Morata - 7.5/10
The centre-forward scored off the bench for the second time in as many games. His goal was a thing of beauty and a classic striker's finish. Morata's movement to get ahead of his marker Sule to meet the cross was equally beautiful as he put Spain in the lead.
Alejandro Balde - 6/10
He replaced Alba and slotted in perfectly, keeping things neat and tight.
Nico Williams - 5.5/10
Williams replaced Gavi but did not have a huge impact on the game.
Koke - 5/10
Koke was brought on to shore the defensive midfield but did not quite manage that. The veteran midfielder made just one tackle and had a pass accuracy of 73%.
Germany
Manuel Neuer - 5.5/10
He nearly made a hash while saving the Olmo shot and also misplaced a few passes. It was strangely nervy stuff from the all-time great. Is the reign of the great sweeper keeper coming to an end?
Thilo Kehrer - 6.5/10
Six tackles and two interceptions complemented his assured passing during a decent stint.
Niklas Sule - 6.5/10
The burly central defender had an excellent game for Germany, barring the one time he was outfoxed by Morata. Sule made five tackles and four clearances.
Antonio Rudiger - 6.5/10
He played his part in shutting out the Spanish attacking threat while proving to be an aerial threat in the opposition box for Germany.
David Raum - 6/10
Defensively, he was at the top of his game. However, the left-back offered little going forward and misplaced quite a few balls.
Joshua Kimmich - 6.5/10
A characteristically calm and precise performance from Kimmich, who nearly scored in the second half, but his shot was pushed away by Simon. He delivered some great set-pieces as well.
Leon Goretzka - 6.5/10
This was a fine box-to-box performance from Goretzka for Germany, who fought and tackled in defence and moved the ball forward in transition with precision. He made five tackles and 73% of his passes.
Serge Gnabry - 5.5/10
Gnabry was a bit of a shadow of himself. His pacey runs were not on show, and he was often late and wrong in his decision-making.
Ilkay Gundogan - 6/10
An early flick showed his class, and he pressed really well off the ball. Gundogan, though, wasn't as big an attacking threat as was expected, making only 67% of his passes before he was taken off in the second half.
Jamal Musiala - 6.5/10
Like Pedri and Gavi, Musiala is one for the future who is already a shining light at present. His array of dribbling, passing and shooting were on show tonight for Germany, but his decision-making can improve. Musiala made 84% of his passes and four of six dribbles.
Thomas Muller - 5/10
Muller's glittering international career is probably drawing to a close. The Raumdeuter was ineffective on the night, managing hardly a sniff on goal. He made just eight of his 12 passes and had zero attempts on goal.
Germany Substitiutes
Niclas Fullkrug - 7/10
Like Morata, the Werder Bremen striker changed his team's fortunes after coming on. Not only his goal but his entire approach influenced the German attacking play, showing a classic centre-forward is sometimes the need of the hour.
Leroy Sane - 6/10
Along with Fullkrug, Sane played his part in getting Germany back in the game with his skills and vision. He only made 50% of his passes and could have done better in his team's final big move.
Niko Schlotterbeck - 6/10
He came on at left-back and did a good job, especially during one clean tackle on Morata.
Lukas Klostermann - 6/10
He kept things going for Germany without really making an impact.
Jonas Hoffman - 5/10
He came on very late for Germany and hardly had a touch.
