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Germany failed to shine once again at the World Cup stage after their 2014 truimph in Brazil as they go three games without a win at the FIFA Mundial with their latest 1-1 stalemate against Spain on Sunday night in Qatar.
Substitute, Niclas Fullkrug gave Germany a World Cup lifeline with an 83rd-minute equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw against Spain at Al Bayt Stadium.
Four-time World Cup winners Germany were looking to bounce back from their shock 2-1 defeat to Japan, while Luis Enrique’s side were riding high on their 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica in Group E.
A surprising 1-0 win for Costa Rica over Japan earlier on Sunday slightly lessened the stakes of this game, although the intensity was still suffocating at times before substitute Alvaro Morata produced a superb finish from Jordi Alba’s 62nd-minute cross.
But Werder Bremen striker Fullkrug, who only made his international debut 11 days ago, had a similar impact from the bench when he lashed into the top corner following fine work from Jamal Musiala.
The Germans must now beat Costa Rica and hope for a Spanish favour against the Sumarai Blues of Japan in the last group game on Thursday evening to have a chance of reaching the knock-out stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar.
Goals:
ESP — Alvaro Morata (Jordi Alba) — 62nd minute.
GER — Niclas Fullkrug (Jamal Musiala) — 83rd minute.
Lineups:
Spain (4-3-3, right to left): 23. Simon (GK) — 20. Carvajal, 16. Rodri, 24. Laporte, 18. Alba — 9. Gavi, 5. Busquets, 26. Pedri — 11. Torres, 10-Asensio, 21. Olmo
Germany (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Neuer (GK) — 5. Kehrer, 15. Sule, 2. Rudiger, 3. Raum — 6. Kimmich, 8. Goretzka, 21. Gundogan — 10. Gnabry, 13. Muller, 14. Musiala.
By: D. N. A. MENSAH, Daily Mail GH /Follow the writer @SkipperWrites on Twitter
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