Germany earn draw with Spain after late Füllkrug strike

By Andrew Lord

23 November 2022

Niclas Füllkrug came off the bench to score a late equaliser against Spain to keep Germany’s World Cup hopes alive.

Substitute Álvaro Morata had put Spain ahead, but Germany battled back to set up a showdown with Costa Rica in the final group game. If Germany win and Japan lose, the Germans will advance to the knockout stage. But if Japan earn a draw against Spain, Germany must win by at least two goals against Costa Rica.

Both sides even at half-time

In a well-matched first half, Manuel Neuer tipped a long-range effort from RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo onto the bar. Antonio Rüdiger headed home from a Joshua Kimmich free-kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Kimmich had a great chance to put Germany ahead in the 56^th minute, but Unai Simon was able to parry away his shot.

Substitute Morata gave Spain the lead in the 62^nd minute after he was able to get ahead of Niklas Süle to steer Jordi Alba’s cross past Neuer with the outside of his foot.

Flick’s decision to bring on Leroy Sané and Niclas Füllkrug paid off in the 83^rd minute when Sané played the ball through to Musiala in the penalty area, Füllkrug took the ball in his stride and rifled a shot past Simon.

Buoyed by the equaliser, Sané almost won it for Germany late on, but he was forced wide after rounding Simon.

Ultimately, Germany demonstrated plenty of character to come back from a one-goal deficit. A factor praised by Flick, who had bolstered the midfield by bringing in Goretzka: “I’m proud of the team. They were warriors who played with a lot of heart.” Goretzka spoke of a “tremendous fighting performance.”

Flick also reacted to press reports of disharmony amongst the squad: “We all get on really well, despite what you may read in the press.”

Intense pressure

The Germany team had been under intense pressure following the shock 2-1 defeat to Japan in the first group stage fixture. Hansi Flick made two changes to the team that lost 2-1 to Japan, Leon Goretzka replaced Kai Havertz and Thilo Kehrer came in for Nico Schlotterbeck. In the early kick-off, Costa Rica shocked Japan with a goal from Keysher Fuller.

After injuries to Timo Werner and Lukas Nmecha, led Flick on a frantic search for a traditional number nine, he could have finally found a target man in Füllkrug, who now deserves a place in the starting line-up. Antonio Rüdiger demonstrated the feeling within the squad when he told reporters: “For me, Niclas gives us something up front that we are missing.”