KHOR AL: Niclas Fuellkrug scored an 83rd-minute equalizer in Germany's 1-1 draw with Spain on Sunday, giving them hope of avoiding another embarrassing early World Cup exit. This was Fuellkrug's third appearance for Germany.
Due to the outcome, Spain, the four-time world champions, will play Costa Rica on Thursday in a crucial match they must win. Spain has not yet secured their exit from Group E, but Japan and Costa Rica may still qualify.
Alvato Morata gave Spain the lead in the 62nd minute by skillfully flicking in a cross from Jordi Alba. Eight minutes after coming on from the bench, Spain appeared to be in serious danger of repeating their group-stage defeat in Russia in 2018.
After Germany's shocking 2-1 opening loss to Japan, Hansi Flick's team would have faced a huge challenge to advance to the knockout stage if they lost to Spain.
However, in the 83rd minute, they battled back into contention after Leroy Sane exploited a poor defensive clearance to feed Jamal Musiala, who turned between two Spain defenders to pass the ball to Fuellkrug, who smashed it high into the net.
The Werder Bremen forward, who scored a string of Bundesliga goals earlier this month to earn his first cap, came in for Thomas Mueller 13 minutes earlier as Germany desperately tried to score an equalizer.
Flick told reporters, "We knew what the situation was, what was at stake," and he said Fuellkrug's equalizer might be Germany's turning point in Qatar.
He stated, "Things start to happen when you start to win," suggesting that "maybe this will give us a boost and give us the self-confidence to get goals."
Luis Enrique, the Spain coach, admitted that he regretted his team's failure to maintain their lead. However, after two matches we are at the highest point of the characterization of the demise gathering and I feel that we must be good," he said.
In the Al Bayt Stadium, about 50 kilometers (about 30 miles) north of Doha, the Spaniards had cut through Germany with angled passing and appeared more at ease from the start. Manuel Neuer palmed Dani Olmo's shot off the bar in the seventh minute, preventing him from making an early breakthrough.
When defender Antonio Rudiger powered in a header from a free kick by Joshua Kimmich in the 39th minute, Germany thought they had taken an unlikely lead. However, the German celebrations were cut short when VAR quickly determined that Rudiger was offside.
When the 2010 champions tried to play out of defense, Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon had to make his first save in the 56th minute. Kimmich shot from just inside the penalty area, but Simon saved well.
With four points, Spain leads the standings and must draw Japan in their final Group E match to advance. They would advance to the knockout stage in first place with a victory.
Germany is last in a single category. Their hopes hang in the balance if Japan loses Thursday's match against Costa Rica. If Japan and Germany draw, the outcome would depend on the goal difference or the goals Japan and Germany scored.
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