Niclas Fulkrug securing Germany a crucial point (Image: @brfootball/Twitter)
Germany fans can still hold hope for their country’s FIFA World Cup campaign after their team secured a crucial point, keeping their World Cup hopes alive with a one-all draw against Spain.
In what was one of the must watch matches of the World Cup, Spain and Germany did not fail to deliver for fans of the respected countries and the neutrals watching around the world.
The nature of the game kept everyone on the edge of their seat throughout every play. End to end attacks, coupled with what ended up being match deciding substitutions allowed the match to live up to the hype.
It was looking all doom and gloom come the 62nd minute mark when Spain’s Álvaro Morata superbly finished an outstanding cross from Jordi Alba.
Down by a goal late in the second half, Germany’s campaign looked all but done.
Come the 83rd minute and the heart beat was felt once again. Niclas Füllkrug finished inside the box, after only being substituted onto the ground just a few minutes prior.
Spain had the better of Germany in the first half, looking the most likely to break the deadlock. Five corners to nil and multiple shots on target gave Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer headaches as a shot from Dani Olmo had to be forced onto the crossbar in the seventh minute.
Germany however came out inspired in the second half, digging deep to try and reign in the three crucial points needed for its campaign.
The German’s second-half revival, started with Antonio Rüdiger finding the back of the net with a powerful header from a free kick conversion. However, the goal was disallowed thanks to VAR ruling Rüdiger offside.
Spain’s Unai Simón also made a save from an on-goal shot from Joshua Kimmich.
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Head coach Hansi Flick made his three changes late in the second half including Niclas Füllkrug who, after 13 minutes, made his presence on the match. With six minutes of added time, both teams had chances to take the victory but ultimately the match settled as a draw.
Füllkrug’s goal is crucial to how group E can play out in the final round of matches after Costa Rica produced an upset victory over Japan earlier in the day.
The draw leaves Spain top of the group, needing just a point against Japan to guarantee a spot in the final 16 of the tournament.
Germany, who had a shock loss in its opener against Japan, are at the bottom of the table on one point. Needing win against Costa Rica, its hopes then depend Spain defeating Japan. If that game is drawn, it will all come down to goal difference.
Germany must either win by two goals or by a one-goal margin while scoring more times than Japan on the final matchday.
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