| Spain vs Germany |
|---|
| SCHEDULE | TIME |
|---|---|
| GAME | Spain vs Germany |
| DATE | 28/11/2022 |
| TIME | 12:30 AM (Indian Standard Time) |
| ARENA | Al Bayt Stadium |
| LEAGUE | FIFA World Cup 2022 |
| FULL TIME |
|---|
| Spain [1-1] Germany |
Match Preview of Spain vs Germany
Two European heavyweights who kicked off their 2022 World Cup campaigns in contrasting fashion lock horns at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, as high-flying Spain take on an out-of-sorts Germany outfit.
While La Roja secured their biggest-ever World Cup win last time out, Die Mannschaft were condemned to one of their most embarrassing defeats on the world's biggest stage and are now at risk of elimination from Group E.
For the first time since 2006, Spain managed to win their opening game at the World Cup, and in emphatic style, after thrashing Costa Rica 7-0 at the Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday.
Strikes from Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio and Ferran Torres – the former netting Spain's 100th World Cup goal – helped La Roja race into a three-goal lead within the first 31 minutes. Torres then added his second shortly after half time before Gavi, Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata also got in on the act to ensure Luis Enrique's men made the perfect start to their Group E campaign.
There was an evident gulf in class between the two nations, with Spain boasting 81.9% possession – the most by any team since Opta first recorded statistics for the World Cup back in 1966 – while a hapless Costa Rica outfit failed to register a single shot in the entire match.
Many may question whether Spain can replicate such a dominant performance in their next match against Germany, but they can be confident of success ahead of Sunday's encounter after securing a memorable 6-0 victory against Die Mannschaft in the UEFA Nations League the last time they met in November 2020.
Since they were crowned world champions in 2010, Spain have endured a difficult period on the biggest international stage, with elimination at the group stage in 2014 followed by a last-16 exit on penalties against 2018 hosts Russia.
However, a statement victory over Germany could thrust La Roja back into the conversation of contenders to go all the way in this year's tournament in Qatar and would all but secure their place in the knockout rounds before their final group clash against Japan.
Four years on from a humiliating group-stage exit at the World Cup in Russia, Germany are at risk of another disappointing departure at the first hurdle following their shock 2-1 defeat against Japan on Wednesday.
There were early signs of Japan's attacking threat in the first half, but it was Germany who found themselves in front at the break, courtesy of an Ilkay Gundogan penalty. However, two Bundesliga forwards turned the game on its head in dramatic fashion for the Samurai Blue, with Freiburg's Ritsu Doan restoring parity in the 75th minute before VfL Bochum's Takuma Asano snatched all three points seven minutes from time.
Our Predicted Lineups
Spain possible starting lineup:Simon; Azpilicueta, Rodri, Laporte, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, Gavi; F. Torres, Asensio, Olmo
Germany possible starting lineup: starting lineup:Neuer; Sule, Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Muller, Musiala; Havertz
Who will win the match?
We say: Spain 2-0 Germany. Spain were rampant in front of goal against Costa Rica and they breezed to victory the last time that they met Germany, but a tighter affair is to be expected on Sunday, with Flick's men under huge pressure to respond after their disappointing loss against Japan. The four-time world champions are sure to be fired up for this pivotal clash in Group E, but we can see Enrique's side coming out on top, potentially ending Die Mannschaft's brief stint in Qatar.