FIFA World Cup 2022: Spain vs Germany Highlights: Germany stay alive with 1-1 draw against Spain

An 83rd-minute equalizer has handed Germany a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Spain on Sunday in the World Cup. The Al Bayt Stadium saw the European giants locking horns against each other and it lived up to its paramount billing.

An encounter never short of actions saw Alvaro Morata giving Spain the lead, but Niclas Fullkrug scored to restore parity and hand Germany a lifeline ahead of their final group game.

As it happened:

Spain and Germany needed a win for very different reasons. The former's win would have taken them to the Round of 16 almost surely, while a win for Germany was to keep them in the World Cup, as a defeat could have meant almost a ticket back to Germany.

Manuel Neuer had some shaky moments as Spain came close with Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres in the first half. Antonio Rudiger headed the ball in which was thought to be the opener for Germany in the 40th minute, but it was ruled out for offside. Both the teams had their moments but neither could unlock the key to a goal as it was deadlock at half time.

Luis Enrique made a change after the break as Alvaro Morata came on. And minutes after it paid dividends as Morata opened the scoring. Jordi Alba was released by Sergio Busquets on the left and Alba's cross was netted home by Morata to give Spain a monumental lead. Germany upped the anti after that and Jamal Musiala got his shot saved by Unai Simon as substitute Niclas Fullkrug came close as well. It was Fullkrug to the rescue for Die Mannschaft as he thumped in the equalizer in the 83rd minute.

Both went for the winner but none could snatch one as the match ended in a stalemate.

Spain vs Germany Lineup:

Spain: Unai Simon; Carvajal, Laporte, Rodri, Alba (Balde); Gavi (Williams), Busqiets, Pedri; Asensio (Koke), Olmo, Ferran Torres (Morata)

Germany: Neuer; Kehrer (Klostermann), Sule, Rudiger, Raum (Schlotterbeck); Kimmich Goretzka; Gnabry (Hofmann), Gundogan (Fullkrug), Musiala; Muller (Sane)

Aftermath:

The draw takes Spain to the top of Group E with 4 points. Germany are off the mark in the group and although they are bottom of the group, for now, they are still alive in the World Cup. Germany will be up against Costa Rica in the final game of their group. Spain will be taking on Japan. Both matches start at the same time on 2nd December (00.30 am IST).

Key Stats and Facts:

• Manuel Neuer tied with Brazil's Claudio Taffarel and Germany's Sepp Maier to have the joint most appearances in the World Cup for a goalkeeper. It was his 18th appearance for Germany in the World Cup, stretching from 2010.
  
  
• 14 of the 22 players that started in the game were represented by 3 clubs. 5 from Barcelona (all in Spain), 6 from Bayern Munich (all in Germany) and 3 from Manchester City (Rodri and Aymeric Laporte for Spain, Ilkay Gundogan for Germany).
  
  
• Niclas Fullkrug had most shots of the game with 3. He scored in one of them. This was Fullkrug's first goal in national colours.
  
  
• Aymeric Laporte of Spain made the most passes with 93 along with a 90% accuracy. He also made 1 interception and clearance each.
  
  
• Alvaro Morata became the 6th player in World Cup history to score in consecutive games as a substitute. He is the first Spanish player to do that.