HITC Football previews the Group E game at the 2022 Qatar World Cup between Spain and Germany. It is the only first round match between two champions of the FIFA tournament.
Seven of the eight World Cup-winning countries are competing in Qatar with Italy the only past champion not present. FIFA managed to draw most in separate groups with defending holders France in Group D plus England in B, Argentina in C, Brazil in G and Uruguay in H.
Spain and Germany, though, clash in the first round with the one and four-time champions meeting in Group E. La Roja won their first, and so far only, title at South Africa 2010. Die Mannschaft won their most recent title at Brazil 2014 after wins in 1954, 1974 and 1990.
HITC Football previews Spain vs Germany at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
Spain can send Germany home after just two games at Qatar 2022 following Japan’s shock win over Hansi Flick’s side. La Roja thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 in a dominant showing to open their campaign. While the Samurai Blue took aim at shaky German defending to score two.
Germany had opened the scoring from the penalty spot when Ilkay Gundogan converted a 33rd-minute attempt. It appeared all was well for the second-most successful country in World Cup history behind Brazil’s five titles. But Japan’s comeback showed their fragility.
None of Flick’s defenders were alert to the presence of SC Freiburg forward Ritsu Doan in the centre of their box to fire home a rebound on 75 minutes. Fellow substitute Takuma Asano also beat Manuel Neuer after poor defending by Niklas Sule of Borussia Dortmund.
Borussia Monchengladbach defender Ko Itakura took advantage of Sule sitting in deeper than Germany’s other defenders to free Asano with an 83rd-minute free-kick. Asano still had lots of work to do but ran to the byline and flashed his shot home high over Neuer’s head.
Spain would send Germany home if they win and Japan also beat Costa Rica
Now, should Japan beat Costa Rica, Spain can send Germany home with a game to spare at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. A draw will keep Flick’s men in the competition even if Costa Rica do not take a point against the Samurai Blue. But they will have a mountain to climb.
Japan and Costa Rica meet at 10:00 GMT on November 27. Spain and Germany’s tie at the 2022 World Cup follows in the evening at 19:00 GMT. Japan and Spain meet in what could be a top-of-the-table decider while Germany face Costa Rica on December 1 at 19:00 GMT.
Team News: Morata could start for Spain while Sane looks to return for Germany
Spain boss Luis Enrique lost Jose Gaya from his World Cup team on the eve of Qatar 2022. The Valencia left-back withdrew after suffering an ankle injury in training. Alejandro Balde of Barcelona replaced the defender and the 19-year-old made his debut against Costa Rica.
Spain only deemed Alvaro Morata and Dani Carvajal fit enough for seats on the bench for their opening game. The pair could now start against Germany having overcome illness to face Costa Rica. Morata also scored La Roja’s seventh and is their leading centre-forward.
Flick, meanwhile, could usher Leroy Sane back into the Germany line-up in the hopes of beating Spain and bouncing back from losing to Japan. The Bayern Munich winger missed his nation’s 2-1 defeat to the Samurai Blue as he continued recovering from a knee injury.
“Leroy is training on his own right now,” Flick revealed, via quotes by Bulinews, in his press conference on Thursday. “It’s positive that he’s on the pitch.”
Sane has been in scintillating form with Bayern Munich and for Germany this term. The 26-year-old arrived at Qatar 2022 having scored 10 and created six goals in 19 games with Der FCB this season. The 48-cap winger has 11 goals and five assists for his country to date.
What is the head-to-head record between Spain and Germany?
Spain and Germany have met 25 times previously across all competitions, including four at World Cups. La Roja won eight of their prior encounters to Die Mannschaft’s nine victories. Eight of their meetings before playing at Qatar 2022 have ended in draws but only one 0-0.
Germany hold the superior record in meetings with Spain at World Cups with two wins and a draw so far. But La Roja won the last match between the two nations on the global stage in 2010. Iconic centre-back Carles Puyol settled the semi-final with a 73rd-minute header.
Flick may fear Enrique’s side channelling the spirit of the 2010 Roja squad and winning this Sunday. Germany have only won two of their past 10 games with Spain since claiming their last competitive win in 1998. La Roja also won their last meeting 6-0 in the Nations League.
Who is the form side ahead of meeting at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?
Sunday’s headline Group E clash between Spain and Germany is Enrique’s 43rd game with La Roja altogether. He returned to the helm in November 2019 after stepping down during March of that year. Since initially taking charge in July 2018, he has 25 wins and 10 draws.
Flick took over the Germany hot seat in August 2021 after agreeing to replace 2014 World Cup-winning coach Joachim Low. Japan dealt the 57-year-old just his second defeat since taking charge in their Group E clash. Flick had won 10 and drawn in five going into the tie.
Spain’s last nine games: W-D-D-W-W-L-W-W-W
Germany’s last nine games: D-D-D-D-W-L-D-W-L
How to watch Spain vs Germany live in the UK on TV and online
The BBC will broadcast Spain and Germany’s clash at the 2022 World Cup live in the UK on BBC One. The free-to-air public broadcast television network starts its coverage from 18:30 GMT with a 30-minute build-up show. The meeting is also available online via BBC iPlayer.
Additionally, BBC Radio 5 Live will carry commentary from kick-off at 19:00 GMT following a build-up show from 18:00 GMT. Post-match reaction from the Group E game and the three other World Cup fixtures on November 27 will continue from 21:00 GMT until 22:00 GMT.
Spain World Cup facts ahead of Qatar 2022
Current FIFA world ranking: #7
World Cup titles: 1 (best finish of first in 2010)
World Cup appearance: 16
How they qualified: Finished top of the UEFA Group B table with 19 points from eight ties
Germany World Cup facts ahead of Qatar 2022
Current FIFA world ranking: #11
World Cup titles: 4 (best finish of first place in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014)
World Cup appearance: 20
How they qualified: Finished top of the UEFA Group J table with 27 points from 10 ties
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