Spain expected to play the role of merciful god during their second 2022 FIFA World Cup match, thinking a quick beheading of their German foes would come quickly. However, Germany came to play, nabbing a well-earned point with a 1-1 draw, leaving Group E in a state of flux.
Dani Olmo set the tone early for the Spaniards, blasting a zero-spin ball right at Manuel Neuer, who expertly pushed the ball up and into the crossbar.
Spain hits the crossbar! Manuel Neuer saves Dani Olmo’s blast and puts it off the frame to keep things scoreless. Spain comfortable early vs. Germany
(via @FoxSoccer) pic.twitter.com/q3HGXiICoJ
— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) November 27, 2022
Ten minutes into the second half and German midfielder Joshua Kimmich puts it to the rarely-tested Spanish keeper Unai Simon.
Unai Simón with the SAVE
Things stay scoreless between Spain and Germany pic.twitter.com/5mRf7k4akh
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2022
But the difference was made through both country’s substitutes, with Alvaro Morato flicking the ball past Neuer, drawing first blood.
Super sub Alvaro Morata is the difference so far. #FIFAWorldCup
(via @TelemundoSports)pic.twitter.com/kEqChTfpdT— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 27, 2022
However, Germany strikes back through the relatively unknown striker Nicklas Fullkrug, the leading German scorer in the Bundesliga this year, who was only called up to the national squad when Timo Werner had to bow out due to injury.
GERMANY PICK THEMSELVES UP OFF THE MAT
A LASER from Füllkrug keeps the Germans' World Cup hopes alive.
@FOXSoccer | #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/onQBp90a8N — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 27, 2022
What a battle
Germany and Spain both come away with a point after a hard-fought match
pic.twitter.com/avOgaJV3NC — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2022
Now that the dust has settled, Group E is wide open for any team coming ready to dominate into matchday three.
Germany will play Costa Rica Thursday (2 p.m. ET) at Al Bayt Stadium.
Spain will face off against Japan Thursday (2 p.m. ET) at Khalifa International Stadium.
About Mike Gawdzik
A fan of the Red Devils and White Sox, Mike Gawdzik is a high school English teacher by day and a writer by night. He tries to write what he knows, like when he was a drag queen for a day or when he competed in an amateur boxing tournament in South Korea. When reading student essays isn’t enough for him, he’s also the creative nonfiction editor for Flying Island and Sport Literate.