The change in scripts didn’t in any way affect the pace of this game, the first big bone on paper at the World Cup between two recent titleholders; Spain won in 2010 and Germany followed four times latterly. Since their triumphs, both brigades have experienced a reconditioning phase and then at the Al Bayt Stadium, shaped like a Bedouin roof on the outskirts of Doha, they cancelled out each other in an engaging 1- 1 draw.
In a game where backups got the pretensions for both sides, Niclas Fuellkrug’s important finish in the 83rd nanosecond levelled matters for Germany after Alvaro Morata had given Spain the lead with a deft finish from the outside of his bottom in the 62nd.
Costa Rica’s before effect — a 1- 0 palm against Japan — had thrown Group ‘E’ wide open and set this up as a politic battle, a chess game between Spain trainer Luis Enrique and his German counterpart Hansi Film. Knowing that a loss would n’t end their World Cup, Germany who had been stunned by Japan in their opening game — could go to breathe.
But in a breathless launch, Spain — playing with swagger after their 7- 0 thrashing of Costa Rica — came at them with fierce pace. Enrique started without a recognised striker but had three willing runners up front in Marco Asensio, Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo. Olmo came near to scoring in the seventh nanosecond, seeing his shot sloped onto the bar.
Germany were also playing without a centre forward; Thomas Mueller leading the line. But they soon recaptured some control; Serge Gnabry having two chances. They allowed they had taken the lead through Antonio Rudiger’s title from a free kick but it was ruled out for offside.
Germany came back explosively in the alternate half and hovered beforehand on with Joshua Kimmich seeing a shot saved by Unai Simon.
Enrique introduced Morata to give his side with a direct trouble at thing and it paid off freeheartedly when he scored just five twinkles after coming on when he was set up by Jordi Alba from the left wing.
Looking to get commodity from the game, Germany threw the kitchen Gomorrah at Spain and Jamal Musiala had a fierce drive veered down by Simon.
Film tasted an occasion and transferred on shooter Fuellkrug, who snared a point for his side after good interplay between another cover Leroy Sane and Musiala set him free to arrow in a shot that Simon could do nothing to stop.
