In the duel of styles, Spain was one step away from eighth and Germany is no longer dependent on itself

The counterpoint of styles between Spain Y Germany He was offering an interesting duel from the differences, but goals were missing. Spain with the ball, Germany with its usual attributes. Spain likes it, Germany doesn’t.

The 0-0 seemed to prevail but Luis Enrique was the most anxious, while not the most needy. Before the ten minutes of the second half, he tries with Álvaro Morata (professional centre-forward) the verticality that Ferran Torres had not given him. Less than ten minutes later, Morata proved him right, hitting a cross from Jordi Alba at Neuer’s near post. One to zero and justice.

Spaces appeared and it looked like Spain would take advantage of them. But opposite was Germany. A Germany that is far from in love, but she is. Hansi Flick also moved the bench and the answer was given by tank Niclas Füllkrug, with an impossible right foot after stealing the play from teammate Musiala, who was dribbling in the area. There were seven minutes to go, a classic from Germany, nothing surprising.

Spain, the best we’ve seen so far, was unable to transform the beauty of his game into efficiency, as he did against Costa Rica and ended up suffering, embracing his very good goalkeeper Simón. Germany doesn’t shine, but an old World Cup truth says that goal difference isn’t enough against them.

The counterpoint of styles was evident. Luis Enrique’s team does not give up possession and from there it establishes its leading role. A fundamentalist to come out of the back with the ball dominated (abusing the nerves of his fans) he never appealed to the field despite the German pressure. But he has not generated situations proportionate to his aesthetic superiority.

Beyond a right-footed shot by Dani Olmo that Neuer deflected with his nails towards the crossbar and a robbery at the start that provoked a great save by Simón on Kimmich, the clearest situations of the first half were nullified by the semi-automatic offside: unbeatable position deflected by Ferran Torres and headed goal canceled by Rüdiger. In the second half, a poor Spanish start required a great save from Simón against Musiala.

Hansi Flick’s team came into the match relieved of the hand Costa Rica gave them hours earlier with victory over Japan, so a loss would not mean their second consecutive World Cup elimination. The draw didn’t bother him, so when he was behind he came out determined to come back, in his own way.

Before the goals, the match was a symposium for midfielders, with speakers such as Sergio Busquets (34 years old) or Ilkay Gündogan (32), plus contributions from apprentices Pablo Martín Páez Gaviria (better known as Gavi, 18), Pedro González López (Pedri, brand new 20) or Jamal Musiala (19).

At the 2010 World Cup, and for many years at Barcelona, ​​​​the wise Busquets had Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta by his side. Now he’s also holding hands with two promises from Barça: Gavi and Pedri. There are not many more similarities than that coincidence, the intelligence and understanding of the game that those glories had is not yet part of the football baggage of these hopefuls. They play well, but not so well.

Luis Enrique surprised again with the positions of Rodri as first centre-back (in Manchester City he is a starting midfielder) and Marco Asensio as centre-forward (in Real Madrid he plays on the flanks). Hansi Flick was forced to raise after his disappointment against Japan. The big man Süle moved from full-back to central defender, Gündogan moved up a few meters to act as a hindrance and Thomas Müller did the same to position himself as main striker.

Luis Enrique won on points and then with a goal. Flick had to break the mold to avoid another loss. He did it with anguish and the Germans celebrated heartily. A draw doesn’t hurt either of them. Spain are far from qualifying and Germany, bottom for now, will define against Costa Rica, hoping Japan don’t surprise again. Beyond all this, the one who can sleep more peacefully is in the red shirt.