Spain equals Germany and glimpses the eighth

A late goal from Fuellkrug frustrates the victory of the 'Red', leader and virtually qualified for the next round

MADRID, 27 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Spain, with a goal from Álvaro Morata, drew (1-1) against Germany on the second day of Group E of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, played at the Al Bayt stadium in Jor (Qatar), maintained the lead and achieved virtual qualification for the round of 16 in a tense battle that could have gone to both sides.

After the equalizer and the defeat of Japan against Costa Rica, Spain continues as the leader, with 4 points, ahead of the Japanese team, with 3, and with whom they will compete for first place next Thursday (20:00, peninsular time). ) to obtain a better crossing, a priori, in the second phase. Just one carambola, with a win by Germany against Costa Rica and a resounding defeat against Japan would leave the 'Red' out of the World Cup.

With the memory of that header by Carles Puyol -present at Al Bayt- in the semifinals of the unforgettable edition in South Africa 2010, the one with the only star, in memory, Spain once again faced a Germany with water in the neck after the Japanese setback, although relieved by the victory of Costa Rica that allowed a small margin of error.

To eliminate a rival of cabals, Luis Enrique, faithful to his custom, did not repeat the eleven of the dazzling debut, but only changed Dani Carvajal, his respiratory problems already forgotten, for Azpilucueta on the right wing, and returned to bet on have the ball against a rival as crouched as dangerous.

Spain overcame the line of pressure exerted by Hansi Flick's group and was able to quickly take advantage of a dry shot from Dani Olmo, the most vertical shot in the first half, which Neuer deflected to the crossbar or another near the post from a Jordi de Alba who he lavished little on his traditional cavalcades on the left flank.

The domain was Spanish, with 64 percent possession, but they played hastily and lacked calm in the face of the pressure that drowned out the four-time world champion. A gift from Neuer in a bad outing of the ball was close to taking advantage of Ferrán Torres, who sent an assist from Olmo a little later.

The play was traced by Serge Gnabry after an error by Unai Simón, who erroneously cleared to the front. It was the prologue of the annulled goal, in the 40th minute, for offside by a solitary Antonio Rüdiger. He did not add on the scoreboard, but the alert was activated about the fragility of Luis Enrique's men shortly before the break.

Luis Enrique has a leprechaun and a talisman. Questioned many times by critics and fans, Álvaro Morata has always recognized the Asturian coach for his support in those moments of anxiety and doubt. The striker came out instead of a Ferran Torres as a solution and restored his spirit to 'Lucho'.

It was the first ball that the Atlético striker finished off: 1-0. The result of the first braided collective play, which went through the 'lighthouse' Busquets, reached Jordi Alba and he assisted (min. 62) at the near post a Morata who raised the ball at the same post in which Neuer recalled that unappealable header from Puyol.

Koke and Nico Williams gave fresh air, speed and order in the place of a combative Gavi and a grayer Asensio than in the World Cup premiere. Germany responded with a triple change, including that of an unprecedented Müller, in search of a comeback more by push than by football that was still Hispanic.

Instead, Jamal Musiala equalized with a point-blank shot that broke the offside line with a quarter of an hour to go. Germany gritted its teeth until the end and found its reward in a loose ball that reached Fuellkrug in the min. 83.

"Soccer is a simple game invented by the English where you play eleven against eleven and Germany always wins." This was said by Gary Lineker, that English striker who made fame at Barça. This time it was not like that. Spain is close to the round of 16 and depends on itself, and Germany, on the brink of the precipice.

--RESULT: SPAIN, 1 - GERMANY, 1 (0-0, at halftime).

SPAIN: Unai Simón; Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Jordi Alba (Balde, min. 82); Busquets, Pedri, Gavi (Koke, min. 66); Dani Olmo, Ferrán Torres (Morata, min. 54) and Asensio (Nico Williams, min. 66).

GERMANY: New; Kehrer (Klostermann, min. 70), Süle, Rüdiger, Raum (Schlotterbeck, min. 87); Kimmich, Goretzka; Gündogan (Sane, min. 70), Gnabry (Hofmann, min. 85), Musiala; y Müller (Fuellkrug, min. 70).

1-0, min. 62: Morata.

1-1, min. 83: filling pitcher.

--REFEREE: Danny Makkelie (NED). He admonished Busquets (min. 44), for Spain, and Kehrer (min. 37), Goretzka (min. 58), Kimmich (min. 60), for Germany.

--STADIUM: Al Bayt. 68,895 viewers.