Germany fight back to claim important point against Spain
Germany came from behind to draw 1-1 with Spain in Sunday’s World Cup contest, which has kept their last-16 hopes alive ahead of their final match in Group E.
Alvaro Morata sent Spain ahead in the 62nd minute of the contest, but Germany were level in the 83rd minute through fellow substitute Niclas Fullkrug, with the points being shared in the high-profile affair.
The result has left Spain top of Group E on four points ahead of their last game against second-placed Japan on Thursday, while Germany are bottom on one point ahead of their final match with Costa Rica.
Hansi Flick’s side need to overcome Costa Rica and hope that Spain beat Japan in order to advance to the knockout round of the competition, while La Roja need just a point to advance to the next stage.
Spain boss Luis Enrique made just the one change from the side that started the 7-0 hammering of Costa Rica, with Dani Carvajal coming back into the side at right-back in place of Cesar Azpilicueta.
Meanwhile, Germany introduced Leon Goretzka for Kai Havertz, which saw Thomas Muller move forward to the centre-back position for the four-time world champions.
Spain came close to taking the lead in the seventh minute when Dani Olmo struck a powerful effort towards goal, but Manuel Neuer managed to push the ball onto the crossbar and behind for a corner.
Germany gave Spain a warning in the 10th minute when Goretzka burst forward before feeding Serge Gnabry, with La Roja goalkeeper Unai Simon out to make the save, but the offside flag was raised shortly after.
Fullkrug then headed over the Spain crossbar in the next attack, with Flick’s side searching for the leveller against the 2010 world champions.
Fullkrug finally levelled the scores in the 83rd minute of the contest when he collected a flick from Musiala before firing one into the far corner of the net.
Germany almost won it in the final exchanges when Leroy Sane broke clear in a wide position before rounding Simon, but the attacker could not pick out a teammate in the middle, with Spain able to clear for a corner, which was claimed by Simon before the final whistle was blown.
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