When the World Cup draw got here out in April, one of many highlights of the group stage was Sunday’s Spain vs Germany at Al Bayt Stadium.
Eight months later, the sport between the 2 former world champions and pre-tournament favorites gained much more prominence because of Germany’s stunning loss to Japan in its opener in Qatar. Another setback towards Spain this weekend and Germany could also be heading residence early for the second straight World Cup.
A loss — coupled with at the least a draw by Japan towards Costa Rica earlier Sunday — will imply elimination for the four-time champions. Spain, in the meantime, can be seeking to safe its spot within the subsequent stage and reinforce its standing as one of many prime title contenders following a formidable 7-0 rout of Costa Rica in its opener.
The indicators should not encouraging for Germany. Its most up-to-date match towards Spain was an embarrassing 6-0 defeat within the Nations League two years in the past. Its final win towards “La Roja” got here in a pleasant eight years in the past.
Germany gained its fourth World Cup title in 2014 in Brazil however didn’t make it out of the group stage in 2018 after losses to South Korea and México. It could be the primary time it fails to advance previous the group stage in back-to-back tournaments.
Spain gained its lone World Cup in 2010 in South Africa and was eradicated within the spherical of 16 in 2018 in Russia. A win towards Germany will enable Spain to succeed in the final 16 if Costa Rica doesn’t defeat Japan. Expectations round Spain’s younger squad have been raised after its excellent efficiency towards Costa Rica, when the workforce reintroduced “tiki-taka” ball-possession fashion and 18-year-old Gavi turned the youngest World Cup scorer since Pelé in 1958.
The seven objectives it scored towards Costa Rica matched Spain’s match whole from Russia in 2018.
“The result gives us a big boost,” Spain coach Luis Enrique mentioned.
“But now we have to play against a Germany team that needs the victory.” Luis Enrique mentioned he wasn’t involved together with his younger gamers being overly assured, and promised to make modifications to the beginning lineup for Sunday’s match, with out elaborating.
Winger Leroy Sané might return for Germany after lacking the match towards Japan due to a knee damage. It would be the fifth assembly between the powerhouses at World Cups, with Spain successful the newest one 1-0 within the semifinals of the 2010 match.
Spain hasn’t misplaced to Germany in official competitions for the reason that 1988 European Championship, with two attracts and three wins since then. The Germans have misplaced three of their final 4 World Cup matches relationship to the match in Russia.
They made headlines even earlier than kickoff towards Japan by overlaying their mouths to protest FIFA’s clampdown on the “One Love” armbands. It was not clear if they might repeat the gesture earlier than the Spain match.
