One of the group stage’s attractions when the World Cup draw was made public in April was Sunday’s match between Spain and Germany at Al Bayt Stadium.
Eight months later, Japan’s shocking victory over Germany in Qatar’s opening match elevated the importance of the contest between the two former world champions and pre-tournament favorites.
Germany might leave the World Cup early for the second time in a row if they lose against Spain this weekend. The four-time winners will be eliminated with a loss and at least a draw by Japan against Costa Rica earlier on Sunday.
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Following a spectacular 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica in its opening match, Spain will want to advance to the next round and solidify its position as one of the major title contenders.
The prognosis for Germany is not favorable. In its most recent encounter with Spain, which took place in the Nations League two years ago, it was humiliated 6-0. It hasn’t defeated “La Roja” since a friendly match eight years ago.
Germany won its fourth World Cup in Brazil in 2014, but after losing to South Korea and Mexico in 2018, it failed to advance past the group stage. It would be the first time in back-to-back tournaments that it failed to get past the group stage.
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Spain’s first World Cup victory was in South Africa in 2010, and it was eliminated in the round of 16 in Russia in 2018. If Spain defeats Germany and Costa Rica loses to Japan, Spain will advance to the round of 16 with a victory.
After Spain’s impressive performance against Costa Rica, when the team revived the “tiki-taka” ball-possession style and 18-year-old Gavi became the youngest World Cup scorer since Pelé in 1958, expectations around the youthful group were elevated.
Spain’s tournament total from Russia in 2018 was seven goals, which Spain matched with its seven goals versus Costa Rica.
Coach Luis Enrique of Spain remarked, “The outcome provides us a great lift. But now we face a Germany team that is desperate for the win.
Without going into detail, Luis Enrique stated that he wasn’t worried about his young players having too much self-confidence and that there would be alterations to the starting lineup for the game on Sunday.
Leroy Sané, a winger for Germany, might play again after missing the match against Japan due to a knee injury.
It will be their sixth time facing off at a World Cup, with Spain triumphing in their most recent encounter, a 1-0 victory in the 2010 tournament’s semifinals.
Since the 1988 European Championship, Spain hasn’t lost to Germany in a competitive match, instead managing two draws and three victories.
Since the World Cup in Russia, the Germans have lost three of their past four games overall.
Even before the match against Japan began, they created news by covering their mouths in opposition to FIFA’s crackdown on the “One Love” armbands. Before the Spain game, it was unclear if they would make the gesture again.
