Morata’s goal
Spain, with a goal from Alvaro Morata, drew (1-1) against Germany in the second day of Group E of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, played at the Al Bayt stadium in Jor (Qatar), kept the lead and achieved the virtual qualification for the round of 16 in a tense battle that could have gone either way.
With the memory of South Africa 2010
With the memory of Carles Puyol’s header -present at Al Bayt- in the semifinals of the unforgettable 2010 edition in South Africa, that of the only star, Spain faced, once again, a Germany with its neck in the water after the Japanese defeat, although relieved by Costa Rica’s victory that allowed it a small margin for error.
Spain overcomes German pressure
Spain overcame the line of pressure exerted by Hansi Flick’s group and could have taken an early lead when Dani Olmo, the most vertical player in the first half, fired a shot that Neuer deflected onto the crossbar or another close to the post by Jordi de Alba, who was not very prodigious in his traditional runs down the left flank.
Luis Enrique, faithful to his lineup
To eliminate a rival from the cabals, Luis Enrique, faithful to his custom, did not repeat the dazzling debut eleven, but only changed Dani Carvajal, already forgotten his respiratory problems, for Azpilucueta on the right wing, and returned to bet on having the ball against an opponent as crouching as dangerous.
Spanish dominance without effectiveness
Spain dominated the game, with 64 percent of possession, but played in a rushed manner and lacked composure in the face of the stifling pressure of the four-time world champions. A gift from Neuer in a bad ball out was almost taken advantage of by Ferrán Torres, who sent in an assist from Olmo a little later.
Rüdiger’s goal disallowed
Serge Gnabry then followed up after a mistake by Unai Simón, who mistakenly cleared the ball to the edge of the area. It was the prologue to the goal disallowed in the 40th minute for offside by a lone Antonio Rüdiger. It did not add to the scoreline, but the alert was triggered about the fragility of Luis Enrique’s team shortly before the break.
Luis Enrique’s confidence in Morata
Luis Enrique has an elf and a talisman. Questioned by the critics and the fans many times, Álvaro Morata has always acknowledged the Asturian coach for his support in those moments of anxiety and doubt. The striker came on in place of Ferrán Torres as a solution and gave the coach his encouragement.
At Neuer’s near post
It was the first ball that the Atlético de Madrid striker finished off: 1-0. The result of the first braided collective play, which went through Busquets, reached Jordi Alba and he assisted (min. 62) at the near post to a Morata who lifted the ball past Neuer’s near post.
Changes in both teams
In Spain, Koke and Nico Williams gave fresh air, speed and order in place of a combative Gavi and a grayer Asensio than in the World Cup opener. Germany responded with a triple substitution, including an unprecedented Müller, in search of a comeback more for drive than for soccer, which was still Hispanic.
Germany could have equalized earlier
Jamal Musiala had the equalizer with a close-range shot that broke the offside line a quarter of an hour from time. Germany gritted their teeth until the end and found their reward in a loose ball to Fuellkrug in the 83rd minute.
Germany stands at the edge of the precipice
«Soccer is a simple game invented by the English in which they play eleven against eleven and Germany always wins». This was said by Gary Lineker, the English striker who made his name at Barça. This time it was not like that. Spain is close to the round of 16 and depends on itself, while Germany is on the edge of the precipice.
The last day is decisive
After the draw and Japan’s defeat against Costa Rica, Spain continues to lead with 4 points, ahead of the Japanese team, with 3, and with whom they will compete for first place next Thursday (20:00, Spanish peninsular time) to ensure a better crossing, a priori, in the second phase. Only a carambola, with Germany beating Costa Rica and a thunderous defeat against Japan, would leave Luis Enrique’s team out of the World Cup.
