Spain 1-1 Germany: Player ratings as Fullkrug spares German blushes
By Mitch Wilks
Substitutes stole the show as Germany snatched a 1-1 draw with Spain in Group E of the World Cup, just about keeping alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Both teams had chances to score early on in an open-ended start, but the first half quickly settled into a rhythm of Spain dominating possession and Germany picking their presses carefully. Spain did look vulnerable on occasion when taking too much time on the ball at the back and were caught out by it, but an offside flag from a free-kick ensured they went into half-time level.
Die Mannschaft had Spain figured out in the early stages of the second half, but Luis Enrique called on his bench to give La Roja more attacking thrust. That worked in their favour as they took the lead and regained control of the game. Germany answered with their own substitutions, and it was unlikely hero Niclas Fullkrug to fire them level and earn them a potentially vital point.
A high-octane start saw Manuel Neuer tip a powerful shot from Dani Olmo onto the crossbar after just seven minutes. Germany then went down the other end and forced Unai Simon into action, smothering a 1v1 vs Serge Gnabry which was eventually flagged for offside.
Patterns then began to emerge in a midfield-themed game of chess. Spain would dominate the ball, but Germany would maintain a disciplined shape and press effectively, before trying to play quickly along the floor themselves. Luis Enrique's side had joy when switching the play and coming back into the half space, but looked equally vulnerable when falling into the trap of Hansi Flick's false nine system.
Antonio Rudiger headed Germany in front from a free-kick after 40 minutes, but saw his goal flagged for offside; a warning for Spain, who were caught out by a foul and poor marking. That opened up what remained of the first half, but neither side could pull ahead.
Simon was sometimes too keen to play short to his defenders and almost gifted Germany a opening just before the hour mark, when his pass into Pedri was swallowed by the opposition press. Ilkay Gundogan laid it off into Joshua Kimmich, but his first time effort was saved.
Minutes later, substitute Alvaro Morata made a brilliant run across the front of the box to smartly poke a low cross beyond Manuel Neuer, giving Spain a 1-0 lead that they for the most part deserved.
Germany were now in trouble, staring elimination right in the face. Flick finally called on his bench as the clock ticked down which put them back on the front foot. With under 10 minutes to play, Jamal Musiala burst towards goal and had the ball taken off him by Fullkrug, who smashed into the roof of the net for 1-1.
One point still isn't ideal and leaves Die Mannschaft needing Spain to beat Japan in matchday three should they beat Costa Rica, but it's a lot more positive than the prospect of heading into the final round on zero points. Here's how the players rated.
Spain vs Germany player ratings - World Cup Group E
1. Spain (4-3-3)
GK: Unai Simon - 6/10 - Never panicked on the ball, which was sometimes a bit scary. It's okay to go long, Unai.
RB: Dani Carvajal - 5/10 - Knew his limits; didn't try to overlap or bomb forward when he knew it would leave space for Germany to exploit. Sensible.
CB: Rodri - 6/10 - There were occasions when Germany pressed or burst forward that showed Rodri wasn't a natural centre-back, but he avoided any calamities.
CB: Aymeric Laporte - 6/10 - Not much to report. Took the ball, moved it on.
LB: Jordi Alba - 7/10 - Didn't venture forward enough. When he did, he bagged an assist.
CM: Sergio Busquets - 5/10 - Looked troubled whenever he was challenged athletically or had to move with urgency.
CM: Gavi - 7/10 - Constantly tried to float into the half space between Rudiger and Raum, which caused problems fleetingly. In and out of the game, but really sharp whenever he was involved.
CM: Pedri - 7/10 - Showed flashes of his talent, but was shut down quickly. Was able to enjoy himself more as the game opened up.
RW: Ferran Torres - 4/10 - Hugged the touchline which proved problematic early on, but that was about it. Offered sweet nothing on the ball and didn't run in behind.
ST: Marco Asensio - 5/10 - Seemed to get lost in and among Germany's towering defence. Spurned a brilliant chance just before being hooked.
LW: Dani Olmo - 7/10 - Spain's brightest spark. Looked a threat whenever the ball came his way. Direct and technically sharp.
SUB: Alvaro Morata (54' for Torres) - 8/10 - The striker Spain needed. Started wide and came inside, tapping home brilliantly. Clever goal.
SUB: Koke (66' for Asensio) - 7/10 - Added another layer of finesse to Spain's midfield.
SUB: Nico Williams (66' for Gavi) - 6/10 - Nothing major to report.
SUB: Alejandro Balde (82' for Alba) - N/A
Manager: Luis Enrique - 8/10 - Made a brave call to bring on Morata so soon after the break and it paid off. Brilliant game management to cap off another dominant performance.
2. Germany (4-3-3)
GK: Manuel Neuer - 6/10 - Called into action early to fabulously tip Olmo's effort onto the crossbar.
RB: Niklas Sule - 4/10 - Got ran ragged by Olmo when isolated, and then got caught flat-footed by Morata. Out of his depth.
CB: Thilo Kehrer - 5/10 - Started brightly, but had to do more to stop the cross for Spain's opener.
CB: Antonio Rudiger - 6/10 - Skied a shot from distance well over the bar; poor. Headed his side in front minutes later; good. Unfortunately chalked off.
LB: David Raum - 6/10 - Disciplined display. Dealt well with being doubled up on at times by Gavi and Torres.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan - 7/10 - Pushed up higher before dropping in and creating space for a flick around the corner. Had Spain looking bothered whenever Germany were able to pull it off.
CM: Joshua Kimmich - 7/10 - Disciplined display, maintaining his side's shape and protecting his defenders. Textbook Kimmich.
CM: Leon Goretzka - 6/10 - Possibly the least influential of the midfield three, certainly in possession. Solid off the ball.
RW: Serge Gnabry - 5/10 - Should've done better with a gift passed straight into his feet by Simon after 25 minutes. Faded as the game progressed.
CF: Thomas Muller - 5/10 - As always picked up brilliant positions to cut off passing lanes, but didn't get involved in attack enough and lacked aggression.
LW: Jamal Musiala - 7/10 - Looked bright when he had the ball, keeping possession for his side, but didn't get it enough until the substitutes were introduced. Burst into life when they came and suddenly began to pull the strings.
SUB: Niclas Fullkrug (70' for Muller) - 8/10 - An unlikely hero. The 29-year-old's second international goal could prove historic if Germany reach the last 16.
SUB: Leroy Sane (70' for Gundogan) - 6/10 - Linked up well with Musiala when he was introduced. Probably should've been risked from the start with the stakes so high.
SUB: Lucas Klostermann (70' for Kehrer) - N/A
SUB: Nico Schlotterbeck (87' for Raum) - 6/10 - Brilliantly timed tackle to keep Morata away from goal at the death.
Manager: Hansi Flick - 6/10 - Got away with it, to an extent. Germany played well, but their need for an attacking thrust from the bench was obvious long before Flick turned to his substitutes. On a night where they snatched a point, they could've had three with more proactive decision making.