German hopes are up after 1-1 tie with Spain

The conclusion left Germany seeing a must-win game against Costa Rica while Spain have yet to seal their spot in the knockout phase of the tournament. Germany stepped into their confrontation against Spain under choking pressure after experiencing a shocking loss to Japan in their opening match. Germany provided themselves with hope of dodging another early World Cup departure when they grabbed a 1-1 draw with Spain as substitute Niclas Fullkrug shot home in the 83rd minute to equalise and cancel out Alvaro Morata’s opener goal.

Morata was a substitute who had increased the jeopardy for the Germans when he gave a classic finesse to the flick in a cross by Jordi Alba in the 62nd minute. The Spaniards seemed rather relaxed from the start, sifting through Germany with their angular passage, and Dani Olmo almost opened an early breakthrough in the seventh minute but his aim was palmed onto the bar by Manuel Neuer.