NIC OF TIME
Sub Fullkrug grabs a late equaliser to breathe life into the Germans
WHEN they were right up against it, they found a way.
That is what Germany normally do in World Cups and they live to fight another day after a dramatic heavyweight contest at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Up stepped substitute Niclas Fullkrug (left) to be the unlikely hero for his country with a late equaliser against Spain to take it to the final group match. Boss Hansi Flick will have to get his calculator ready but the reality is
Costa Rica are up next and the odds are stacked heavily in Germany’s favour to squeeze through.
And at least they avoided the same humiliating early exit of four years ago when, as holders, they failed to reach the knockout stages.
Werder Bremen striker Fullkrug perhaps epitomises the current state of German football. He was a late call-up for the World Cup and at 29 became the oldest outfield player to make his debut for 20 years.
Does that smack of desperation? Probably. But this is a far cry from the glory days when the four-time winners would have their hotel booked right up until the final.
Instead, Spain again produced a dazzling passing display which tied Germany up in knots but could not produce the finishing touch as they had in the seven-goal demolition of Costa Rica. They had all the pretty approach play, created plenty of chances and yet had to rely on a substitute Alvaro Morata to put them ahead.
The Atletico Madrid striker forgot how to score during a disastrous time at Chelsea but got a goal against Costa Rica and another yesterday.
Yet if there is one thing that will stop Spain from winning the World Cup it is their lack of a cutting edge because they have everything else.
They are beautiful to watch, Pedri and Gavi are their future and they have built a new generation primed for success.
Spain have also marked themselves down as potential winners in a wide open tournament which has already seen more than its fair share of shocks.
Another one, Costa Rica earlier beating Japan, perhaps took the sense of jeopardy out of this game and meant even defeat would not automatically eliminate Germany. But there was also no sympathy from Spain, who started where they left off against Costa Rica, dominating possession and putting together lovely moves but just could not finish.
Germany keeper Manuel Neuer made a super save to deny Dani Olmo, while Ferran Torres was grateful to see an offside flag spare his blushes after a horrible miss before half-time.
Antonio Rudiger thought he had scored until VAR intervened but Spain upped the tempo after the break.
On came Morata for Torres and when Jordi Alba put over a low cross from the left in the 62nd minute he ghosted onto the ball and fired into the roof of the net at the near post.
Germany stormed back, throwing on 6ft 2in battering ram Fullkrug, who latched on to Jamal Musiala’s clever approach play to smash home.
Both sides had chances to win it but a draw means both could progress.