No time to waste: Germany players taking part in a training session at the Al Shamal Stadium in Doha. Germany face Spain in the Group E clash today. — AFP
WHEN the World Cup draw came out in April, one of the highlights of the group stage was today’s Spain vs Germany clash at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Eight months later, the game between the two former world champions and pre-tournament favourites gained even more prominence thanks to Germany’s surprising loss to Japan in their opener in Qatar.
Another setback against Spain this weekend and Germany may be heading home early for the second straight World Cup.
A loss – coupled with at least a draw by Japan against Costa Rica earlier on Sunday – will mean elimination for the four-time champions.
Spain, meanwhile, will be looking to secure their spot in the next stage and reinforce their status as one of the top title contenders following an impressive 7-0 rout of Costa Rica in their opener.
The signs are not encouraging for Germany. Their most recent match against Spain was an embarrassing 6-0 defeat in the Nations League two years ago. Their last win against “La Roja” came in a friendly eight years ago.
Germany won their fourth World Cup title in 2014 in Brazil but didn’t make it out of the group stage in 2018 after losses to South Korea and Mexico. It would be the first time they fail to advance past the group stage in back-to-back tournaments.
Spain won their lone World Cup in 2010 in South Africa and were eliminated in the last 16 in 2018 in Russia. A win against Germany will allow Spain to reach the last 16 if Costa Rica don’t defeat Japan.
Expectations around Spain’s young squad were raised after their outstanding performance against Costa Rica, when the team reintroduced “tiki-taka” ball-possession style and 18-year-old Gavi became the youngest World Cup scorer since Pele in 1958.
The seven goals they scored against Costa Rica matched Spain’s tournament total from Russia in 2018.
“The result gives us a big boost,” Spain coach Luis Enrique said.
“But now we have to play against a Germany team that need the victory.”
Luis Enrique said he wasn’t concerned with his young players being overly confident, and promised to make changes to the starting line-up for today’s match, without elaborating.
Winger Leroy Sane could return for Germany after missing the match against Japan because of a knee injury.
It will be the fifth meeting between the powerhouses at World Cups, with Spain winning the most recent one 1-0 in the semi-finals of the 2010 tournament.
Spain have not lost to Germany in official competitions since the 1988 European Championship, with two draws and three wins since then.
The Germans have lost three of their last four World Cup matches dating to the tournament in Russia.
They made headlines even before kickoff against Japan by covering their mouths to protest FIFA’s clampdown on the “One Love” armbands.
It was not clear if they would repeat the gesture before the Spain match. — AP
