KIMMICH STILLS ON SIMON!
ANOTHER HIGH GERMAN RECOVERY! It is Kimmich who is at the origin of it. A few seconds later, he is found by Gündogan and shoots from the right, but Simon relaxes well to take the ball out for a corner. The first chance of the second half is for Germany.
Morata replaces Torres
First early change from Luis Enrique. Ferran Torres, very active in the first period but imprecise in the finish, gives way to Alvaro Morata, scorer off the bench against Costa Rica in the first game.
Badly played free kick by the Germans
Kimmich lets Raum take the set-piece, but almost all of the Germans are offside and the free-kick finds no one.
Gavi serene in the middle
The Barcelonan has won 5 of his 8 encounters in the first half, more than any other player on the pitch.
Here we go again
The kick-off of the second period is given by Germany, which will try to put more in danger the Spanish selection.
The first period of Musiala
In a German team that struggled to create situations offensively, Jamal Musiala was the most stirring element.
Half-time stats
The expected goals and shots are not so much in favor of Spain, but the possession and the number of passes, very clearly.
It’s the break, 0-0 between Spain and Germany
La Roja largely dominated this first period, with a crossbar on a strike from Olmo and many situations. But Luis Enrique’s men were unable to conclude and even conceded a goal, finally canceled for offside, against the run of play.
Gavi makes miseries in the surface
Selflessly, with his head and then his foot, Gavi is everywhere to try to regain the ball in the German area. He ends up getting a corner, which does nothing for La Roja.
Yellow card for Busquets
The Spanish captain came to tackle Musiala from behind. Logical yellow card for Sergio Busquets, and another free kick for Germany.
Germans show they don’t need much
Gnabry, Musiala and Müller have all been dangerous at times thanks to high interceptions since the start of the game. Rüdiger’s disallowed goal reminds the Spaniards that it’s important to deliver the highlights. That of La Roja has lasted for almost 45 minutes, but still 0-0.
RÜDIGER SCORES… BUT HE IS OUT OF SIDE
IT WAS ALMOST THE GERMAN HOLD UP! After a free kick obtained by Gnabry, Kimmich deposits the ball on the head of Rüdiger, who deceives the Spanish goalkeeper. Germany thought they had opened the scoring against the run of play, but the goal was ultimately disallowed for offside by the German defender. Still 0-0.
Big foul from Kehrer on Torres
The German is overwhelmed, he takes the Spaniard from behind and receives a logical yellow card. It’s the first of the game. Not a gift for Kehrer, who faces Olmo, one of the most dangerous players of this first period.
Another strike from Torres!
On a second ball, the Spaniard is there and triggers quickly. It takes a tackle from Jamal Musiala to counter and offer a new corner. The Germans are suffering.
TORRES ABOVE!
The German defense was desperate! Launched deep on the left side, Dani Olmo crosses for Ferran Torres, alone at the penalty spot, who does not fit his recovery from the left at ground level. Fortunately for the Spaniards, an offside is signaled at the start of the action, it will avoid regrets.
Rüdiger tries from afar
Strikes a little desperate, which passes 10 meters above.
Olmo’s shot on the bar, as a symbol
The best opportunity of this first period came at the end of an action of 35 passes on the Spanish side. La Roja dominates possession with great technical accuracy.
TORRES!
It was a 1-0 ball! On a very bad raise from Manuel Neuer, Spain recovers high. Ferran Torres is found in a pass in the area, but he has no time to strike and is taken back by the return of Raum.
Gundogan then Gnabry!
Finally some movement in the German attack! Muller deflects for Gundogan, who hooks Laporte but can’t strike next. The ball returns to Gnabry, who tries to roll in from the left, but does not aim. In any case, this is what the Mannschaft must show.
Alba’s strike!
From the right, the left side tries his luck by transplanting in the axis. It’s not on target and well accompanied by Neuer, but it was close to the German post.
La Roja brings the pace down
The Germans press high but have difficulty recovering the ball. The Spaniards are doing very well to give the rhythm they want at the start of the meeting.
Germany try to put their foot on the ball
Spain, for the moment, have had the best opportunity and have possession, but the Germans are also trying to impose their game. The technical level is high.
Gnabry just offside!
Nice German projection, with Goretzka finding Gnabry after fixing the defense. But the German winger is slightly offside and Unai Simon was well off. No regrets, but the Germans put their noses out the window. The match goes from one goal to another.
Neuer in history
The German goalkeeper, already involved in this match, is playing his 18th World Cup match. That’s as much as Claudio Taffarel and Sepp Maier, and no goalkeeper does better.
THE BAR FOR OLMO!
SPAIN IS STARTING STRONG! After a combination of passes near the surface, Olmo triggers from the right. Neuer steps in and deflects onto the crossbar. The German goal is already shaking!
Good cross from Torres for Asensio
After an increase in passes, Spain is already endangering the German defense. But Asensio failed to control the very strong ball from Torres, when he was well placed at the entrance to the area.
Germany try to play high
Both teams try to impose their pressing in these first minutes. A few faults spoil the game.
Let’s go to the Al-Bayt stadium
The kick-off is given by Spain, the long-awaited shock of this group stage is launched.
Kick-off imminent
The players entered the lawn. The opportunity to recall the compositions one last time.
The composition of Spain: Simon – Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Alba – Gavi, Busquets, Pedri – Torres, Asensio, Olmo.
The composition of Germany: Neuer – Kehrer, Süle, Rüdiger, Raum – Kimmich, Gundogan, Goretzka – Gnabry, Müller, Musiala.
Busquets and Neuer were already there in 2010
In the semi-finals of the South African World Cup, Spain beat Germany 1-0 thanks to a goal from Puyol. Two players, present that day, are still holders this evening: Manuel Neuer and Sergio Busquets.
Germany has terrible memories of Spain
In addition to not having beaten Spain in a major competition since 1988 (1 draw at the 1994 World Cup, 2 defeats at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup), Germany had suffered a terrible 6-0 in the last clash between the two teams. A recent passive that can play in the heads.
Two cracks to watch
Musiala on the German side, Pedri on the Spanish side: the two players aged 19 and 20 will be crucial in their team’s ball game. We would almost forget Gavi, who received the Kopa trophy a few weeks ago.
adidas three rainbow stripes
Spain and Germany have the same kit supplier Adidas and wear the colors of the rainbow on the three stripes of the short sleeves of their warm-up shirts.
J.Re
5 players from Barça, 6 from Bayern
Both clubs are overrepresented in each of the two teams. Real Madrid (Asensio, Rüdiger), Manchester City (Laporte, Rodri, Gündogan) and RB Leipzig (Olmo, Raum) are the three clubs represented among the 22 evening starters.
The Germans must rise
This is one of the big surprises of this start to the World Cup, the defeat of the Germans against Japan. The Mannschaft now wants to avoid a second elimination in the group stage, after the fiasco of 2018.
Spain on a cloud after their card against Costa Rica
La Roja could hardly imagine a better start, before going to challenge the other cador of the group. Relive the Spanish demonstration against Costa Rica on video.
Costa Rica gave air to Germany
By winning against Japan today, Japan slightly reduced the stakes in this Spain-Germany. The Mannschaft will not be eliminated in the event of a poor result tonight. Second place will still be possible. And if they win tonight, the Germans can still hope to finish first in the group.
Enrique renews 10 of the 11 Spaniards
You (almost) don’t change a team that won its opening match 7-0. Luis Enrique made just one change from the match against Costa Rica, with Carvajal starting at right-back instead of Azpilicueta.
The composition of Spain: Simon – Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Alba – Gavi, Busquets, Pedri – Torres, Asensio, Olmo.
Germany make two changes, Goretzka and Kehrer in the XI
Hansi Flick didn’t change everything after the initial rout against Japan. He only makes two changes in the eleven: Kehrer replaces Schlotterbeck in defense and Goretzka reinforces the midfield in place of Havertz.
The composition of Germany: Neuer – Kehrer, Süle, Rüdiger, Raum – Kimmich, Gundogan, Goretzka – Gnabry, Müller, Musiala.
The worrying stats of the Mannschaft against La Roja
In all competitions, Germany have won only one of their last 7 games against Spain (2 draws, 4 losses), in November 2014 in a friendly (1-0). Worse, it has not won against La Roja in a competitive match since Euro 1988 (2-0), and remains on 2 draws and 3 defeats.
>>> We tell you everything here
Spain wants to continue, Germany must react
This big poster between European cadors opposes two teams in very different situations. If Spain remains on an inaugural card against Costa Rica (7-0), Germany was surprised by Japan (2-1 defeat). But with Costa Rica’s victory earlier this Sunday against the same Japan (1-0), Group E is still very open.
Group E standings
1. Spain, 3 pts (+7)
2. Japan, 3 pts (0, two games played)
3. Costa Rica, 3 pts (-6, two games played)
4. Germany, 0 pts (-1)
Shock night in Qatar
Good evening everyone, welcome to this direct dedicated to the clash of group E between Spain and Germany. Kick-off at 8 p.m. at Al-Bayt Stadium.