Bundesliga
Germany super sub Füllkrug secures point against Spain
Niclas Füllkrug came off the bench to score the equaliser as Germany held Spain to a draw in World Cup Group E.
Spain 1-1 Germany
Goals: 1-0 Morata 62' (assist: Alba), 1-1 Füllkrug 83' (assist: Musiala)
RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo set the tone for a high-quality first half with a blistering strike that Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer did well to tip onto the crossbar. Bayern teammate Serge Gnabry returned fire as Germany grew into the contest, but his left-footed effort dropped the wrong side of the far post. Olmo then put the ball on a plate for Ferran Torres, who blazed over from an offside position. The VAR intervened at the other end to rule out Antonio Rüdiger’s header from a Joshua Kimmich free-kick. The former Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart defender stung the palms of Unai Simon with a fierce near-post volley on the stroke of half-time.
Simon almost gifted Germany the opening goal in the second half, but redeemed himself with a smart save to beat away Kimmich’s side-footed strike from inside the area. Spain took the lead through substitute Alvaro Morata’s first-time finish, with Olmo involved in the build-up, but Germany were not to be denied. Not long after Simon had kept out Jamal Musiala, Werder Bremen’s Füllkrug took the ball off the Bayern teenager and thundered an emphatic leveller into the back of the net. Leroy Sane rounded Simon in added time, but could not find Füllkrug with his cut-back. Although beaten by a Bundesliga-heavy Japan in their opening fixture, Germany can still reach the last 16 with victory over Costa Rica in their final group encounter on 1 December.
Match stats
- Germany will defintely be through if they beat Costa Rica and Japan (also on three points) lose to Spain. Goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head records come into play, if nations end up level on points.
- Füllkrug, who is the top-scoring German national in this season's Bundesliga, with 10 goals in 14 appearances, has netted twice in three senior internationals.
- Musiala, 19, has a goal and three assists in 19 Germany appearances.
- Neuer made his 18th appearance at a World Cup, taking him level with Brazil's Cláudio Taffarel and Germany's Sepp Maier for the most appearances at the finals by a goalkeeper.
- This was the first 2022 World Cup meeting between two former world champions.
- Olmo has 12 goals and 16 assists to show for his 73 Bundesliga outings to date.
Teams
Spain: Simon - Carvajal, Rodrigo, Laporte, Jordi Alba (Balde 82') - Busquets (c), Gavi (Koke 65'), Pedri - Ferran Torres (Morata 54'), Asensio (Williams 65'), Olmo
Unused subs: Raya, Sanchez, Azpilicueta, Garcia, Hugo Guillamon, Pau, Carlos Soler, M. Llorente, Ansu Fati, Sarabia, Yeremy
Out: -
Coach: Luis Enrique
Germany: Neuer (c) - Kehrer (Klostermann 69'), Süle, Rüdiger, Raum (Schlotterbeck 87') - Kimmich, Goretzka - Gnabry (Hofmann 85'), Gündogan (Sane 69'), Musiala - Müller (Füllkrug 69')
Unused subs: ter Stegen, Trapp, Bella Kotchap, Ginter, Günter, Brandt, M. Götze, Havertz, Adeyemi, Moukoko
Out: -
Coach: Hansi Flick
As it happened
1 - 1(0 - 0)
Spain
FINAL
Germany
vs
DUST SETTLING
So, as we take stock of a wonderful World Cup game, we can quickly assess the section. Spain are top of Group E with four points, followed by Japan and Costa Rica, who both have three. Germany bring up the rear on one point. Flick's men have to beat Costa Rica in their last game and hope Spain get a result against Japan. It could even come down to goal difference between Germany and Japan depending on the outcomes of the final games.
90' +6
vs
GAME OVER
That was a superb match and Germany - who were up against it at times - managed to take a crucial point thanks to Füllkrug's second international goal. A very important result for Hansi Flick's side who are alive going into the last game in the section.
90' +5
vs
SANE CHANCE
Leroy Sane had the match winner at his feet. The Bayern man raced clear on the left and once inside the box, decided to try to take it past Unai Simon, running out of pitch before attempting to cut back. The move breaks down. That was the chance.
90' +4
vs
KIMMICH AIMS ONE
Kimmich aimed a corner to the far post but it had too much legs for Rüdiger and Spain clear.
90' +2
vs
WIDE OPEN
Suddenly it's end to end with both teams going for it. This game is there to be won.
90'
vs
TIME ADDED ON
We'll have six minutes of time added on to the end of this fascinating encounter.
89'
vs
SCHLOTTERBECK FOCUS
Schlotterbeck makes a monster of a tackle to deny Morata inside the box.
87'
vs
Schlotterbeck
Raum
86'
vs
FÜLLKRUG'S MOMENT
A big, big goal that for Germany, who were looking in serious trouble in the group. Füllkrug - as he has been doing for Werder Bremen all season - delivers a huge boost to Hansi Flick's side.
85'
vs
Hofmann
Gnabry
83'
vs
GERMANY EQUALISE
They've been pushing and pushing these past five minutes and Germany have their equaliser. It looks as if Musiala is about to take the ball through before Füllkrug muscles in and batters a finish across Unai Simon and into the top corner. Awesome finish and a second Germany goal for the Werder Bremen man.
82'
vs
Balde
Alba
81'
vs
SET PIECES
Free kick Germany on the edge of the area. Kimmich places the ball and strikes it into the wall. The resulting corner comes to nothing.
78'
vs
GERMANY PRESSING
Germany are pushing for an equaliser but things are just not clicking for Hansi Flick's side these past few minutes. With Spain dropping the pace slightly, it looks an opportune moment for the four-time world champions to get back into this.
73'
vs
MORE CHANCES
Big opportunity for Germany. Sane feeds Musiala who has a chance to wallop at goal from close range. The 19-year-old goes for power and Unai Simon beats the ball away with his upper arm. From the resulting corner, Füllkrug heads over the top.
71'
vs
GERMANY CREATE
Can Klostermann, Sane and Füllkrug create the chance Germany so desperately need here? Musiala quickly feeds Füllkrug who just fails to control inside the area.
70'
vs
Klostermann
Kehrer
70'
vs
Sane
Gündogan
70'
vs
Füllkrug
Müller
67'
vs
CHANGES COMING
Hansi Flick is lining up a few substitutions for Germany as they look to get back into this game.
65'
vs
Koke
Gavi
65'
vs
Williams
Asensio
62'
vs
MORATA ON FIRE
That's Morata's second goal of the tournament and it had been coming. Spain build again here and Asensio wellies over when well placed.
62'
vs
SPAIN LEAD
Olmo feeds Alba on the left. The cross comes in to the near post and Morata is already in front of Süle. The Spain striker flicks a tidy, angled finish past Neuer and into the net.
59'
vs
KIMMICH BOOKED
Kimmich stamps one on Olmo and that's a booking for the Germany midfielder.
59'
vs
Kimmich
58'
vs
OLMO SIGHTER
Dani Olmo drills a low shot at goal from distance. Neuer gets down and gathers easily.
58'
vs
Goretzka
56'
vs
KIMMICH CHANCE
Spain fiddle around with the ball at the back and Germany pounce. Unai Simon gives it away and suddenly this is a very big chance. Gündogan feeds Kimmich who strikes first time for the corner. Simon recovers the situation for his side by pushing the shot away from danger.
54'
vs
SPAIN CHANGE
The 2010 World champions mix things up with the introduction of Alvaro Morata for Ferran Torres.
54'
vs
Morata
Torres
51'
vs
KIMMICH SEARCHER
Kimmich seeks Gnabry with a looping ball over the top. Unai Simon races out to collect.
49'
vs
SET PIECE POSSIBILITY
Busquets downs Gündogen wide on the left and Germany have a free kick in a very dangerous position. Raum takes but the ball bounces harmlessly away.
47'
vs
NEUER ALERT
Spain break Germany's heavy press with Asensio breaking down the left. The Real Madrid man looks to pick out Torres at the back stick but Neuer gets down to snaffle the danger.
46'
vs
GAME BACK ON
Germany get the ball rolling in the second half. No changes on either side.
vs
HALF TIME
A very interesting and open first half comes to a close. We await the first goal of this contest.
45'
vs
SIMON SAVES
Rüdiger wellies a shot from the right at goal and Unai Simon gathers at the second attempt. There will be two minutes of added time.
44'
vs
BUSQUETS BOOKED
Busquets chops down Musiala and is shown a yellow card.
44'
vs
Sergio Busquets
40'
vs
GOAL DISALLOWED
Rudiger heads in from a set piece on the left and Germany's players wheel away in celebration. The joy is short lived, however, with a VAR check leading to that one being chalked off for offside.
37'
vs
KEHRER BOOKING
Kehrer downs Torres and that's going to be a booking for the West Ham man.
37'
vs
Thilo Kehrer
33'
vs
SPAIN AGAIN
Again Spain come. A corner from the right reaches Torres who has a bit of time before pulling the trigger. Musiala gets the block on that one.
30'
vs
TORRES MISS
Spain break through Olmo on the left. The Leipzig attacker's cross is on a plate for Ferran Torres, who somehow swipes over the top. The flag was up on the far side against Olmo.