Spain vs Germany – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Odds, Prediction, Live Stream | 2022 FIFA World Cup 

Ferran Torres of Spain celebrates his goal
Ferran Torres of Spain celebrates his goal - icon print image Open in new tab 06.10.2021 IMAGO Image ID: 1007123094 5472x3648 Pixel IMAGO / Xinhua

European heavyweights Spain and Germany will face off this Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium, with Spain looking to book their place in the next round while Germany hopes to get their first win of the tournament.

Venue: Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor) 

Key Statistics

Spain have lost just one of their last 12 games (W9, D2).

They have kept four clean sheets in their last six games.

Germany have won just two of their last nine games (D5, L2). 

They have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine games.

World Cup trivia: Miroslav Klose holds the record for the most World Cup goals, with a total of 16 for Germany over four tournament appearances (2002-2014).

Head to head

Germany has six wins in 16 meetings between both sides, while Spain has five wins, including a 6-0 win the last time both teams met in 2020. 

Latest performances in all competitions

Spain: W-W-W-L-W 

Germany: L-W-D-L-W

Spain 

Spain made light work of Costa Rica last time and will look to make it two wins in a row when they take on fellow European Giants Germany to maintain the top spot in Group E.

Daniel Olmo started the thrashing of Costa Rica when he finished off a fine team move in the eleventh minute. Marco Asensio doubled the lead for La Roja ten minutes later, and Ferran Torres made it three from the penalty spot as Luis Enrique’s side headed into the break with a comfortable three-goal lead.

Ferran Torres doubled his tally immediately after the break following a loss of concentration and communication between the Costa Rican defenders. With the tie already sealed, Luis Enrique turned to his bench and gave rest to some key players, with Carles Soler coming on to replace Pedri, who ran the show from the midfield and Ferran Torres for Alvaro Morata. 

Pablo Gavi capped off a fine outing with a sumptuous outside-the-foot volley in the 74th minute before the substitutes Carles Soler and Alvaro Morata got in on the act with two goals inside two minutes to bring the curtain down on a dominant opening game performance.

Everything went according to plan for head coach Luis Enrique who would have been pleased with his team’s performance. Still, the former Barcelona man knows his team will have to take their performance even further when facing fellow Group E favourites Germany. 

However, with their only loss to the Germans in their last five games coming in a 0-1 loss back in 2014, Luis Enrique will fancy his team’s chances against the Germans, having masterminded the 6-0 rout over their opponents in the UEFA Nations League back in November 2020.

Possible Spain starting line-up

Unai Simon, Cesar Azpilicueta, Rodri, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba, Gavi, Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata, Pablo Sarabia.

Injured:

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Germany 

Germany will be looking to bounce back from their loss to Japan in their opening game, which has seen them drop to third place only ahead of Costa Rica on goals difference.

Despite being touted as one of the favourites alongside France, Brazil, Spain, and Argentina, Germany faced a well-organised and disciplined Japanese side who pressed with the intensity reminiscent of the title-winning Liverpool side under Jurgen Klopp. 

Key men such as Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala, who played from the wings, found opportunities hard to come by following the limited time allowed IIkay Gundogan and Joshua Kimmich by the Japanese press. 

Germany finally broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute following a penalty incident which IIkay Gundogan duly converted. Kai Havertz thought he doubled the lead for his side at the cusp of halftime, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review, as the first half came to an end with the score at 1-0.

However, the game was turned on its head in the 79th minute when Ritsu Doan pulled one back for the Japanese side before Takuma Asano struck four minutes later to hand Germany a heart-breaking defeat.

Head coach Hansi Flick insisted that his side must now look forward in his press conference after the loss to Japan and will be keen to see his side make a swift return to winning ways. A win over one of the competition favourites will certainly be a morale booster for the Germans.

Possible Germany starting line-up

Manuel Neuer, Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Sule, Antonio Rüdiger, Serge Gnabry, Ilkay Gündogan, Joshua Kimmich, David Raum, Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, Niclas Füllkrug.

Injured: None 

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Odds

 Spain to winDrawGermany to win
Odds2.303.303.00
Probability (%) 412831

Prediction

Spain 2-2 Germany 

Live Stream

For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream