FIFA WC PIX: Germany down but not out as yet

IMAGE: Germany’s Antonio Ruediger celebrates after scoring the group’s first aim later dominated offside through the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Spain and Germany. {Photograph}: Catherine Ivill/Getty Photographs

Germany gave themselves hope of avoiding one other early World Cup exit after they snatched a 1-1 draw with Spain as substitute Niclas Fuellkrug fired dwelling an 83rd-minute equaliser that cancelled out Alvaro Morata’s opener.

The consequence leaves Germany dealing with a must-win match in opposition to Costa Rica in 4 days’ time and likewise means Spain have but to e-book their spot within the knockout section of the event.

Germany have been wanting at risk of struggling one other early exit from the World Cup, after being eradicated following the group stage in 2018, earlier than Fuellkrug took benefit of Jamal Musiala’s battling within the field to fireplace excessive into the web previous Unai Simon in Spain’s aim.

IMAGE: Spain’s Marco Asensio and Germany’s Manuel Neuer compete for the ball {Photograph}: Matthias Hangst/Getty Photographs

Morata, himself a substitute, had elevated the jeopardy for the Germans when he neatly flicked in a cross by Jordi Alba within the 62nd minute.

The Spaniards seemed extra relaxed from the beginning, slicing by means of Germany with their angled passing, and Dani Olmo nearly created an early breakthrough within the seventh minute however his shot was palmed onto the bar by Manuel Neuer.

Germany went into their encounter in opposition to Spain on the Al Bayt Stadium below immense strain after struggling a shock defeat to Japan of their opening match.

IMAGE: Spain’s Aymeric Laporte battles for possession with Germany’s Leon Goretzka. {Photograph}: Julian Finney/Getty Photographs

Hanse Flick’s males thought they’d taken an unlikely lead within the thirty ninth minute when defender Antonio Rudiger powered in a header from a Joshua Kimmich free kick, however the German celebrations have been reduce quick as VAR shortly dominated that he was offside.

Spain goalkeeper Simon was pressured into his first save within the 56th minute when the 2010 champions obtained into bother attempting to play out of defence, permitting Kimmich to shoot from simply contained in the penalty space however Simon saved impressively.

IMAGE: Germany’s Thomas Mueller battles for possession with Spain’s Rodri {Photograph}: Catherine Ivill/Getty Photographs

IMAGE:Spain’s Sergio Busquets fouls Germany’s Jamal Musiala earlier than being proven yellow card {Photograph}: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

Spain prime the standings with 4 factors and now want solely a draw of their closing Group E recreation in opposition to Japan to progress. A win would ship them by means of to the knockout spherical in first place.

Germany, who misplaced 2-1 of their opener in opposition to Japan, are backside of the desk on one level. They should win in opposition to Costa Rica on Thursday and their hopes then rely on Japan dropping. If Japan draw it will come all the way down to aim distinction or objectives scored by Germany and Japan.