Confidence: Alvaro Morata is in form for Spain
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)What a difference a centre-forward makes.
Both No.9s, Alvaro Morata and Niclas Füllkrug, came off the bench to score as Spain and Germany played out an entertaining 1-1 draw, which suggests reports of the latter’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Füllkrug’s equaliser saved Germany from the brink of a second consecutive group stage exit, while Spain’s display suggests they are potentially on the brink of greatness.
The two heavyweights came into their second group game in wildly different moods after Germany’s shock defeat to Japan and Spain’s 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica, and many of the neutrals at the colossal Al Bayt Stadium were presumably hoping to see Luis Enrique’s side deliver a knockout blow.
Instead, Germany -- who could not have been eliminated on the night anyway, after Costa Rica’s win over Japan earlier in the day -- held their own, grew into the game and fought back from a goal down to take a precious point into the final round of group matches.
The result ensures Spain effectively have one foot already in the last-16, courtesy of their goal difference, and means Germany have a chance of joining them if they convincingly beat Costa Rica -- and provided Japan do not pull off another big shock.
If they do get through, Hansi Flick’s side showed more than enough here to suggest they are not to be underestimated in Qatar, in a game which could have gone either way and ultimately ended with what felt like the fairest outcome.
The story of the match was the difference a true centre-forward can make at this level, after both managers lined-up with a false nine -- Marco Asensio for Spain and Thomas Muller -- and teams packed full of technically-gifted midfield players.
Until substitutes Morata, and latterly Füllkrug, were introduced there was a distinct lack of cutting edge on show, as Spain struggled to finish off their slick, rhythmic passing moves and Germany failed to capitalise on the fruits of their high press and counter-attacking.
Both sides missed glorious chances to open the scoring, while Antonio Rudiger thought he had, only had to see a header disallowed five minutes before the interval after he connected with Joshua Kimmich’s freekick when just offside.
Morata, though, made the difference less than ten minutes after his introduction with a superbly-taken goal, a magnificent first-time finish.
Spain worked the ball to the left for Jordi Alba and his low cross was met by the former Chelsea forward who guided the past Manuel Neuer impressively.
It felt like a big moment for the 30-year-old, who has an impressive goal record for his country but has so often been maligned for missing the big chances.
They do not come much bigger than a winning goal against Germany at a World Cup and the moment could prove significant for Spain’s chances in the finals; Morata, who also padded the score against Costa Rice from the bench, has always felt like a confidence player and having a centre-forward full of belief could be invaluable for Enrique’s dazzling pass-masters.
Spain’s ability to keep possession, and win it back, is already well-known but it was striking to watch wonder-boys Pedri and Gavi, supported by the old master Sergio Busquets, work their patters and slip away from Germany’s press.
They missed a finisher though, and Dani Olmo and Asensio were both wasteful, despite the former seeing a fierce effort turned onto the bar from Neuer in the early exchanges.
They also appeared guilty of overconfidence at times, and two of Germany’s best chances came from mistakes by Unai Simon, who allowed Serge Gnabry and then Kimmich to get off shots after loose passes.
For all their brilliance, Spain still have work to do to match their World Cup winners of 2010 but there are clearly signs that Enrique is building something formidable.
For their part, German’s technical excellence also caught the eye but and they too lacking a focal point until Füllkrug entered the fray with 20 minutes to go, with the four-time winners facing losing their opening two games for the first time ever at a World Cup.
The Werder Bremen forward, 29, smashed the ball into the top corner and beyond Simon after a smart turn from the impressive Jamal Musiala.
He could prove to a new talisman for the Germans, having only made his debut in the warm-up game against Oman before the tournament.
