Match Preview: Spain vs Germany (World Cup Group E)

Spain will play Germany in Group E of their World Cup group on Sunday, November 27^th in what has become a must-win game for the Germans.

That is after they lost their opening game to Japan, whilst the Spaniards were thrashing Costa Rica. With the Japanese widely expected to beat the Costa Ricans in the other game – along with the hosts Qatar they vie for the distinction of being the worst team in the tournament – anything other than three points would leave them at severe risk of failing to get out of their group for the second successive finals.

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Spain could afford to draw the game, knowing that they already have such a superior goal difference.

In truth, Germany should have beaten the Japanese but a failure to capitalise on the lead they were given from the penalty spot plus some lax defending cost them dear. They also paid for the lack of a recognised striker in their squad.

Timo Werner was injured on the eve of the tournament, whilst the two replacements in their squad, Niclas Fullkrug, and Youssoufa Moukoko have yet to score a goal in international football.

Fullkrug only made his debut on the eve of the World Cup at the age of 29, whilst Moukoko, having just turned 18, is the youngest player at this World Cup.

There is still veteran Thomas Müller, but many Germans were surprised that he started against Japan given that he had not played for his club Bayern Munich in nearly two months due to injury.

Spain played without a recognisable striker for much of their game against Costa Rica, although, in their case it was by design, with players like Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Marco Asensio rotating at will, pulling defenders out of position. Given the team that won the World Cup in 2010 only scored eight goals in the entire tournament, this was an early marker.

Already, with players like Gavi, Pedri, and Ansu Fati in the squad, there is talk that Spain may have produced another golden generation, but manager Luis Enriqué will try and keep any hype in check, knowing that there are much stiffer challenges to come.

Ahead of the game, though, all the problems appear to rest with his opposite number, Hansi Flick, who has been criticised back in Germany for his substitutions against Japan, withdrawing Ilkay Gundogan, the man who had given them the lead from the penalty box and who had largely controlled the midfield.

Once he was off the pitch, there was nobody able to get hold of the ball and control the tempo.

In previous years, German supporters would have had confidence that their team would find a way and get through the toughest tests somehow. However, in this current iteration, there is no longer that self-belief.

The biggest danger Spain face is if they decide to play to a draw and invite the Germans to play their game. But if they can get on the front foot, it is hard to see Germany getting the win they need.