The 3 Points As Germany Keep Their World Cup Hopes Alive Against Spain

Germany left it late to draw with Spain as both sides had to rely on strikers off the bench to find their breakthroughs.

Spain started the game against Germany just like they did against Costa Rica, with no recognised centre-forward on the field, a tactic that worked wonders as Luis Enrique’s side ran out 7-0 winners.

Chances were few and far between against Hansi Flick’s side, however, as the two sides seemingly cancelled each other out with Spain controlling the ball and pressing quickly when out of possession whilst Germany pressed high the field to hinder their opponent’s build-up play.

In fact, Germany started without a recognised striker as well (although they entered the competition with a shortage in that department).

Enrique turned to Alváro Morata in the 54th minute whilst Flick looked to Niclas Füllkrug (a player who less than two years ago was in the German second division) 15 minutes later. Decisions that would prove very fruitful for both managers.

The 30-year-old Spaniard stole in front of his defender to poke home Jordi Alba’s cross for the first goal of the game and, considering the way it had been going you could’ve been forgiven for thinking that would be that.

Young starlet Jamal Musiala continued to sparkle (more on him below) and, having spurned a great chance to equalise, Füllkrug wasn’t going to give the youngster another bite at the cherry, nicking the ball off his teammate before firing in a late leveller.

Both sides seem intent of pursuing a tactic that revolves around ‘false 9s’ rather than traditional frontmen but, one thing is for certain, every time strikers seem to be going out of fashion they remind us why the position is so hard to fill.