Fullkrug earns Germany vital point to keep World Cup hopes alive against Spain

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Fullkrug earns Germany vital point to keep World Cup hopes alive against Spain
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Niclas Fullkrug was Germany's saviour in their draw against Spain
Niclas Fullkrug was Germany's saviour in their draw against SpainAFP, StatsPerform
A 83rd minute strike from substitute Niclas Fullkrug kept Germany's hopes of qualifying from Group E alive as the two European heavyweights, Germany and Spain, shared the spoils at Al Bayt Stadium in a 1-1 draw.

Full Time: Spain 1 Germany 1

21:59 CET: As we wrap up the weekend's final game at the World Cup, here are all the best match stats from a close encounter.

Full match statistics
Full match statisticsOpta by StatsPerform

21:55 CET: Fullkrug's goal in the 84th minute cancelled out Alvaro Morata's strike just after the hour in what was technically one of the best games of the tournament. Chances were at a premium is a tight contest, but the Germans, who for 20 minutes would have been worried about their prospects of getting out of Group E, managed to snatch a leveller.

Their hopes now rest on their next game against Costa Rica, where a win is likely to send them through.

For Spain, they are almost guarenteed qualification after the draw given their superior goal difference and for large parts of Sunday night's game, they were in control.

Check out our full report, written by Jon Radcliffe, if you missed any of the game.

Second Half

21:51 CET: Oh dear, a poor header concedes a corner to Germany from Spain. Kimmich, who takes his time with it, can't do much with it. Two minutes left.

21:48 CET: We will have six minutes of stoppage time. Is there time for some late drama?

21:47 CET: In the last moments of the 90, Alvaro Morata looks clean through, but Schlotterback does very well to challenge him and concede just a corner. A tournament saving tackle?

21:44 CET: David Raum is the last player to be subbed off for Germany, Nico Schlotterbeck takes his place.

21:42 CET: What a last few minutes we have in store here! Serge Gnabry is off for Jonas Hoffmann.

21:41 CET: GERMANY ARE LEVEL THROUGH NICLAS FULLKRUG!

A lifeline for Germany! Sane plays the ball into Musiala who sees it taken off him by the striker, and his finish is emphatic, smashing it past Unai Simon to give Germany hope that they can survive in this World Cup.

21:40 CET: Jordi Alba is coming off to a rousing reception after his part in the only goal of the game. He is replaced by Alejandro Balde.

21:39 CET: Kimmich then takes the corner but can't beat the first player at the near post. Time running out for Germany.

21:38 CET: It's going to be Kimmich to take it, but it goes straight into the wall and behind for a corner.

21:37 CET: Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane - Bayern Munich teammates - combine well on the edge of the Spain box, but the defence is wise to the Sane shot and blocks it well. Soon after, Germany have a free kick right on the edge of the area.

21:34 CET: Germany really chasing their tail as Spain keep the ball with precision. However, it does break to the Germans but they are unable to create anything. Just 13 minutes of the 90 remaining for Germany to get their World Cup back on track

21:30 CET: Four minutes on the pitch and Niclas Fullkrug nearly makes an impact. He just beats his marker to the ball from a cross but can't divert in on goal. Then Jamal Musiala has a golden chance one-on-one with Unai Simon, but he can only blast his shot straight at the goalkeeper. A huge chance gone to waste at Al Bayt Stadium. 

21:26 CET: With Germany needing to get back into this game quickly, they get set for a triple change. Niclas Fullkrug, Lukas Klostermann and Leroy Sane all coming on as Ilkay Gundogan, Thilo Kehrer and Thomas Muller make way.

21:23 CET: Two more changes for Spain. That will be Asensio's final contribution tonight as Nico Williams comes on for the Real Madrid player. Elsewhere Gavi is replaced by Koke.

21:22 CET: A chance for a second goes begging! Dani Olmo again involved in a breathtaking counter. He finds Marco Asensio at the edge of the box all alone, but he blazes his chance over the bar. 

21:20 CET: SPAIN HAVE THE LEAD! MORATA!

The substitute grabs a goal for Spain! Jordi Alba puts in a beautifull weighted cross that Alvaro Morata runs onto before deftly chipping the ball over the helpless Neuer. Spain have a lead and Germany are digging themselves into a hole in this World Cup.

21:18 CET: Germany getting forward in numbers at the start of this second half and they get a free kick that Kimmich overhits and it goes harmlessly behind for a goal kick. The Germans, though, look more threatening in this second half.

21:17 CET: Now a yellow for Joshua Kimmich for his late challenge on Dani Olmo.

21:15 CET: A second yellow card for Germany in this game - Leon Goretzka is the one to go into the book. Moments later, Dani Olmo has a shot from distance, easily collected by Manuel Neuer.

21:14 CET: The German press forces Spain into an uncharactheristic mistake and Joshua Kimmich nearly capitalises. His shot is well saved by Unai Simon. The best chance for Germany since the disallowed goal.

21:11 CET: A first change of the game in the offing as Alvaro Morata comes on for Ferran Torres.

21:04 CET: An early second half run sees Asensio force Neuer into a good interception, before Thomas Muller, who has been quiet so far, does his best to outmuscle Aymeric Laporte in the Spanish box for the ball. However, the Spain defender deals with it well.

21:02 CET: Back under way between Spain and Germany.

Half Time

21:00 CET: Before the second half kicks off, let's take a quick look at the momentum graphic. A relatively even half, but Spain have had more the play.

First half momentum
First half momentumOpta by StatsPerform

20:49 CET: Ironically it is Antonio Rudiger who has had the most shots in the first 45 minutes, just showing how difficult both sides have found it to create shooting opportunities. As expected Spain have dominated possession as you can see from our match stats, powered by Opta from StatsPerform.

First half statistics
First half statisticsOpta by StatsPerform

20:47 CET: So goalless at the break between Germany and Spain. The Spaniards have been in control for much of the first half, but it was Germany who had the ball in the back of the net. VAR disallowed Antonio Rudiger's goal for offside, but that will be something to worry about for Spain in the second half. For the Germans, they need a goal if they are to make their World Cup feel more comfortable.

First Half

20:45 CET: The free kick falls to Antonio Rudiger and from a tight angle he connects well with a volley only for Unai Simon to grasp it. Two minutes of added time at the end of the half.

20:44 CET: Busquets picks up a caution just before the break for a late challenge. Free kick to Germany, 35 metres out.

20:40 CET: One of VAR's easiest calls in the tournament - from a Germany free-kick, Rudiger strays just offside and despite a nice finish, the goal is chalked off. Heartbreak for Germany's fans.

20:39 CET: GERMANY LEAD THROUGH RUDIGER! OR DO THEY? NO, IT'S OFFSIDE

20:37 CET: The first yellow card of the game is showed to Thilo Kehrer for a late challenge on Marco Asensio. 

20:35 CET: Torres in the action again, this time from a corner on the left hand side. He receives the ball at the back post but his shot is blocked and sent out for a corner. Spain starting to pile on the pressure now.

20:33 CET: The flag is up but WHAT A MISS! Dani Olmo, later to be judged for offside, escapes down the left wing and picks out a wide open Ferran Torres who manages to turn the ball over the bar from eight metres out. A dreadful miss saved by the flag.

20:31 CET: Just over half an hour gone in this game and don't forget we have live audio commentary for you to listen to so you don't have to miss a single second of this game.

20:30 CET: A very ambitious shot from Antonio Rudiger goes sailing over the bar. Defensively though, the Real Madrid enforcer is looking very solid tonight.

20:26 CET: An almost carbon copy mistake from Neuer now and it allows Ferran Torres into the box, but Germany's defenders stifle any shot and Neuer can claim the ball gratefully. A few nerves out there tonight, perhaps?

20:24 CET: Unai Simon fails to clean up from the back and gifts the ball to Serge Gnabry on the edge of the box. The winger tries to bend one into the far corner, but his effort is wide of the mark - a let off for the Spanish goalkeeper.

20:21 CET: In their 7-0 win against Costa Rica, Spain scored from every shot on target, showing they are willing to be patient to create the right chance. However, it seems Jordi Alba didn't get the memo as he tries his luck from distance and a worried Neuer has to dive full length to cover it at his near post. The shot whistles past the post and it remains 0-0.

20:16 CET: That Dani Olmo effort has been the only chance of the first 15 minutes, but Spain are keeping the ball with ease as ever - they have had 73% of possession so far.

20:10 CET: Germany struggling to find any accuracy with their passing, but then Leon Goretzka breaks forward and finds the onrushing Serge Gnabry. Unai Simon is out well to smother the shot before the flag goes up for offside on Gnabry, but the brightest moment for the Germans so far.

20:07 CET: OFF THE BAR! Spain work it well along the edge of the box to allow Dani Olmo to crack a shot at goal, and it's a great strike. It's an even better save from Manuel Neuer who does enough to tip it onto the bar and away to safety.

20:05 CET: That press helps Spain to create a shooting opportunity for Marco Asensio, but his touch is heavy and Germany can clean up. An early warning for the team in white.

20:03 CET: From the very early going, both sides are prepared to press very high and put pressure on the ball. Setting itself up for a tasty game.

20:00 CET: It will be Spain to get us started!

Pre-match

19:56 CET: Anthems have been sung and we are ready for kick off.

19:50 CET: A huge night for German football as they try to right the wrongs after their defeat to Japan. However, a win tonight will put them in a good position to qualify for the next stage. Both teams are in the tunnel ahead of what promises to be one of the best games of the tournament so far.

Team News

Spain coach Luis Enrique made one change to his starting lineup against Germany in their World Cup Group E on Sunday following their opening 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica, with Dan Carvajal replacing Cesar Azpilicueta in defence.

The Spaniards, who will all but qualify with a win over the Germans, were otherwise unchanged in attack with Dani Olmo, Feran Torres and Marco Asensio.

Germany, who suffered a shock opening loss to Japan and are in desperate need of points, brought on fullback Thilo Kehrer in the place of Nico Schlotterbeck.

Coach Hansi Flick also dropped forward Kai Havertz, boosting his midfield with Leon Goretzka.

Spain: Unai Simon, Dani Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri Hernandez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Pedri Gonzalez, Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio, Dani Olmo

Germany: Manuel Neuer, David Raum, Antonio Ruediger, Thilo Keherer, Niklas Suele, Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Guendogan, Jamal Musiala, Thomas Mueller, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry.

Introduction

Japan provided one of the biggest shocks of the tournament when they beat Germany earlier in the World Cup, meaning tonight's game against Spain for Hansi Flick's men is almost must-win if they are to make it through to the next stage.

In their way is Spain, who demolished Costa Rica 7-0, to give the rest of the teams notice on their chances to win it all. 

Follow us for live text commentary and join our audio commentary from 19:55 CET.

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