Spain 1 – 1 Germany

Niclas Fullkrug’s late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw with Spain as Germany just about kept their World Cup campaign on track at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Alvaro Morata had come off the bench to give Spain the lead earlier in the second half but fellow substitute Fullkrug fired beyond Unai Simon to change the mood as Germany earned their first point of the 2022 World Cup following their shock defeat to Japan.

Hansi Flick made changes to the team from that game and Germany competed well throughout against a strong Spain side. Antonio Rudiger had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half and Jamal Musiala forced a really good stop from Unai Simon in the second.

Morata, introduced early in the second half, did manage to find the finish for Spain, his deft flick from close range proving too good for Manuel Neuer. But Fullkrug found the response with a fierce finish after Musiala’s turn and Germany finished the stronger.

Germany remain bottom of Group E but the situation could have been worse. Had Japan not lost to Costa Rica earlier in the day then defeat to Spain would have been enough to eliminate the 2014 World Cup winners with a match still left to play.

This draw means that victory over Costa Rica would be enough unless Japan pull off another unexpected result against Spain. As for Luis Enrique’s side, they could not match the fluency of their 7-0 win on Wednesday but do have one foot in the last 16.

What does the result mean?

This was a heavyweight contest, the only group-stage game between two former winners of the World Cup, and there were times when it felt that way. Both teams tried to play out from the back. Both teams tried to press the opposition high up the pitch.

There were moments of quality but errors too. Niklas Sule’s dismal defending for the opening goal allowed Morata in, while Spain showed vulnerabilities too. The struggle for consistency seems to be a feature of this World Cup. Only France have won two games.

Ultimately, a contest that on the morning of the match had promised to decide much, actually decided little. Spain could not make the statement that their talented team promised. Germany live to fight another day at this World Cup.

If they beat Costa Rica by two goals or more then they are definitely through to the knockout stages unless Japan beat Spain. A draw might be enough for Japan if Germany only win by one goal – then it would go to goals scored followed by the head-to-head record.

It would take some bizarre results for Spain to be knocked out – a defeat to Japan of four goals or more combined with a heavy Germany win. For Costa Rica, it is slightly more straightforward. They know that they need to better Japan’s result to progress.

Player of the match – Alvaro Morata

At 30-years-old, it is a little late in the day for Morata to alter any opinions about him. Now at Atletico Madrid, the third club to take him back for another spell, the consensus seems to be that he is a quality striker who is nevertheless just short of the absolute elite level.

But he will still have his moments and this performance provided one of them. A match that kicked off with no natural strikers on the pitch was transformed by his introduction as he showed the benefits of an expert in the role. A near-post run. A delightful finish.

Morata is the only out-and-out striker named in Luis Enrique’s Spain squad. That is an indication that the coach intends to find other solutions. But there are still locks that he will need Morata to unpick. He could have a big role to play in the coming weeks in Qatar.

The game in stats

• Germany have failed to win their first two group stage matches at a single World Cup for the first time in their history.
• Spain have only lost three of their last 19 games in the group stage of a World Cup tournament.
• Germany are without a clean sheet in competitive matches in eight games in this calendar year.
• Alvaro Morata became only the third player to come off the bench in each of his first two World Cup appearances and score in both.
• Niclas Fullkrug scored Germany’s first World Cup goal by a substitute since Mario Gotze in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina.
• Jordi Alba has provided two assists at this World Cup having previously failed to assist in seven games at the previous two tournaments.

Elsewhere at the World Cup

Sunday began with a surprise result as Costa Rica defeated Japan and a day of upheaval continued when Morocco surprised the team ranked second in the world with a 2-0 win over Belgium. The elimination of Canada from Group F followed as they were beaten 4-1 by Croatia despite taking the lead with their first-ever World Cup goal.