Al Khor (Qatar) : Substitute Niclas Fullkrug’s goal seven minutes from end helped Germany to a 1-1 draw against Spain in a FIFA World Cup Group E match at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar.The 29-year-old’s close range strike gave the Germans the first point of the competition having lost their first match to Japan 2-1 and this goal keeps Germany hopes to enter knock out stage.
Fullkrug, who is playing his first-ever World Cup, came from the bench to the rescue with a fine turn and finish to level in the 83rd minute, smashing home a loose ball inside the box. The goal by Werder Bremen striker cancelled out the 62nd minute strike by Spanish substitute Alvaro Morata, who beat his marker Niklas Sule and flicked the ball in at the near post past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer following a low cross from Jordi Alba to give Spain the lead.
The one-all draw has left the group still wide open with Spain needing just a point against Japan to qualify for the knockouts. A win will guarantee them top spot. Germany stays bottom for now, but they can jump to second and qualify for the next phase if they beat Costa Rica and Japan lose to Spain.
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Germany, who have won the World Cup four time but now have failed to win their first two group stage matches at a single World Cup but they still have hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage of the mega event.In a clash of former champions, Spain created the better of the early openings, Dani Olmo thumping the bar, via a vital touch from Manuel Neuer, and Alba rippling the side netting with an effort from distance.
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The Germans found the net in the 39th minute, but Antonio Rudiger’s header was ruled out for offside and then Spain struck on the goal front. Soon after going up Spain had a chance to take the game beyond Germany’s control but Marco Asensio missed the chance of putting the game to bed with his effort going over the bar.
