Alvaro Morata scored just eight minutes after coming off the bench (Photo: Getty)
Germany have kept their World Cup dreams alive after finding a late equaliser against Spain – but their destiny is out of their hands.
A thrilling game at the Al Bayt stadium in Qatar ended 1-1 after Niclas Füllkrug’s strike cancelled out Alvaro Morata’s opener.
Spain controlled the early phase of the game, with Dani Olmo’s powerful strike only just touched onto the crossbar by Manuel Neuer.
But Germany worked their way back into the game, leading to Antonio Rudiger seemingly giving them the lead when he headed home from a free kick, only for VAR to rule out the goal for a clear offside.
In the end it was Morata who broke the deadlock just over the hour mark, with the former Chelsea striker tapping in Jordi Alba’s low cross just minutes after coming off the bench.
From there Germany improved massively but struggled to generate many chances, with Jamal Musiala wasting a golden opportunity to equalise when he found himself one-on-one with Unai Simon but could only aim his shot straight at the Spanish keeper.
But in the end their pressure was rewarded when substitute Niclas Füllkrug lashed in a shot following some nice play from Musiala.
While a point has helped their cause, the result still leaves Germany in a very difficult position and had Japan not lost to Costa Rica earlier on Sunday, they would almost certainly have been knocked out at the group stage for the second World Cup running.
As it stands, Germany are bottom of Group E and in need of victory against Costa Rica, and a Spain win over Japan, to keep their Qatar 2022 campaign going.
If Spain draw with Japan, Germany can still qualify providing their goal difference is superior to the Asian side’s.
Spain meanwhile, will be ruing the chance to all but guarantee qualification to the round-of-16, especially after looking so imposing in their 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica in their opening game.
MORE : ‘No passion!’ – Pablo Zabaleta slams Kevin De Bruyne after Belgium’s shock defeat to Morocco
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Their destiny is out of their hands though…
