Group E Wide Open As Fullkrug Salvages Point For Germany Against Spain
28th November 2022
Spain are at the top of the group with 4 points, with Japan and Costa Rica following with 3 and Germany remain bottom with one point but with just as much a chance to qualify
- Niclas Fullkrug came off the bench to equalize and earn a crucial point for Germany in a 1-1 draw against Spain on Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium
- The four-time World Cup winners came into the game needing to avoid defeat if they were to keep alive any hopes of a spot in the knockout round of the tournament
- Spain had taken the lead in the 62nd minute through another substitute Alvaro Morata, who scored with a great finish for his second goal of the tournament
Niclas Fullkrug came off the bench to equalize and earn a crucial point for Germany in a 1-1 draw against Spain on Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium.
The four-time World Cup winners came into the game needing to avoid defeat if they were to keep alive any hopes of a spot in the knockout round of the tournament.
Germany lost their opening match to Japan but the latter's loss to Costa Rica earlier in the day blows the group wide open, with all teams able to qualify for the round of 16.
Spain are at the top of the group with 4 points, with Japan and Costa Rica following with 3 and Germany remain bottom with one point but with just as much a chance to qualify.
Fullkrug, who got his first cap for Germany earlier in November, came off the bench in the 70th minute to replace veteran Thomas Muller.
The 29-year old forward smashed the ball past Unai Simon in the Spanish goal with an unstoppable effort to earn a very valuable point for Hansi Flick's side.
Spain had taken the lead in the 62nd minute through another substitute Alvaro Morata, who scored with a great finish for his second goal of the tournament.
Substitute Leroy Sane almost won it for Germany in the dying seconds but ran out of space after he went past Simon and the ball was scrambled clear.
Germany take on Costa Rica in their last group game and have to win if they are to avoid a similar group stage exit from the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Spain will battle it out with Japan and if they manage to beat the Asian side, then both Spain and Germany will go through to the knockout round.
Manager Luis Enrique has pieced together an impressive blend of youth and experience as Spain seek to reclaim the World Cup crown they won in 2010.