Fulkrug rescued a point for Germany with 83rd minute strike against Spain in a fiery second World Cup group game.
Starting Lineup
Spain XI: Unai Simon; Carvajal, Rodrigo, Laporte, Alba; Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Asensio, Dani Olmo.
Germany XI: Neuer; Kehrer, Süle, Rüdiger, Raum: Kimmich, Goretzka; Gündogan, Musiala, Gnabry; Müller.
First Half Report
It was a tricky tie between the two European giants.
Spain won the competition in 2010, while Germany won the 2014 edition.
This was their fifth meeting, with Germany winning 2 and drawing 1, while Spain won the most recent encounter in 2010.
It was a fiery encounter as the first half began. Germany needed a win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the next round alive after a shock opening defeat to Japan, while Spain was on a good footing after an opening 7-0 win over Costa Rica
During their second group game in Qatar, Spain dominated play as the German side were forced back into their half as they kept defending to keep the Spainiards at bare.
The Germans lost possession to Spain but were more dangerous while launching attacks.
They relied heavily on counterattacks and were threatening when going forward.
But they could not make anything happen as the game progressed. Spain continued to enjoy possession but did little to break into the box and threaten the German defence.
It was still a cagey affair, but Germany played second fiddle to Spain, but the 2014 champions finally went into the lead after Rudiger headed in a freekick from Kimmich in the 40th minute.
The goal was ruled out as offside after a VAR check. It was disappointing for the Germans, who were desperate for a win.
The first half ended with both sides going into the break goalless.
Second Half Report
The second half started with more attacking momentum as they searched for an early goal.
Spain continued to dominate play while the Germans waited patiently to launch their speedy counterattacks.
As the game progressed, Germany gradually wrestled for possession and increasingly asserted themselves into the game.
Spain were also forced to defend itself and also relied on counterattacks to upset the German defence.
The barren play continued, with both sides unable to find the back of the net until the 62nd minute when Morata finally opened the scoring for the Spaniards.
Germany sped up their attacking momentum after conceding first and pressed for an immediate equaliser.
Late in the 83rd minute, substitute Fullkrug finally hit it for the Germans, bringing the scoreline to a 1-1 draw.
The last seven minutes of the game witnessed speedy counterattacks from both sides, but they could not break the tie.
Germany nearly broke the tie in added time, but Bayern Munich youngster missed the great opportunity to make it count.
Morata also nearly bagged his brace to restore the lead for the Spaniards after a perfect counterattack missing an apparent final chance in the game.
Both sides finally settled for a 1-1 draw after the final whistle, with Germany’s World Cup round of 16 hopes intact.
