Spain – Germany : Preview & Prediction
After Wednesday’s 7-0 win over Costa Rica, their most comprehensive victory in a World Cup – winning on their debut in the tournament for the first time since 2006 – Spain face Germany in the clash between the teams that started the competition as big favorites in Group E. Under the leadership of Luis Enrique, who has been sought after by clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Manchester United, Spain will be looking to seal their place in the Round of 16 on Sunday.
The overwhelming victory in the first matchday has undoubtedly increased the optimism and illusion of the Spanish fans, who at the 2018 World Cup suffered the disappointment of losing in the round of 16 (penalties vs Russia). The seven goals scored against the Ticos have silenced the critics and dispelled the doubts about the scoring capacity of the Spanish team, with only one goal scored less than in the entire 2010 World Cup in South Africa (eight).
A sharp-shooting Spain is certainly a formidable opponent for Germany, who opened with a 2-1 loss to Japan in one of the big surprises of the first matchday. In their last meeting with the Spanish side, Die Mannschaft lost 6-0, a result they had not recorded since 1931 and the beginning of the end of a long spell under Joachim Löw at the helm. Hansi Flick, current Germany coach and former assistant to Löw, needs to right the ship immediately to avoid a second consecutive group stage exit after the one suffered at Russia 2018. Germany will miss out on advancing to the knockout stages if they lose to Spain and Japan score in their clash against Costa Rica.
The unpredictability of a team that had a near-perfect qualifying campaign (G9, P1), but then failed to perform at the expected level in the Nations League (G1, E4, P1), was on display against Japan. Germany had not lost a World Cup match with a half-time lead since 1978, but recorded the highest number of expected goals (xG: 3.3) by a losing team in a World Cup match since 1966. A high scoring output from Hansi Flick’s side could be in the offing.
Players to watch: Much of the attention will be on young talents like midfielder Gavi, who scored against Costa Rica, becoming at 18 years and 110 days the second-youngest player to score in a World Cup, second only to Pele (17 years and 249 days at Sweden 1958). Jamal Musiala, another precocious prodigy, will be looking to shine for Germany after recording the fifth-highest number of direct appearances in goal (16) in Europe’s big five leagues this season.
Key stat: Against Spain, Costa Rica did not score a single goal. It was the second World Cup match without a shot by a team since 1966, after Costa Rica did the same in 1990.
World Cup trivia: Miroslav Klose holds the World Cup goals record with 16 goals in four appearances for Germany (2002-2014).
Spain – Germany : Betting Tips
Spain – Win Odds: 2.35
