Sometimes, two great national teams prefer to give a wonderful show than to clash with each other. Spain and Germany, two world champion national teams and standard-bearers of dizzying, pressing, combinative football, ended up the match creating a picture of great beauty in a matchday of World Cup ambitions.
The Germans arrived full of urgency after their match against Japan, but the Spanish national team was more relaxed and dominated possession in the first half with a similar eleven to the debut match, being the only difference the inclusion of Carvajal in place of Azpilicueta.
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After 7 minutes, fluidity of passing and verticality of Luis Enrique and his team almost paid off after, when a game between Gavi and Marco Asensio ended up in Dani Olmo, so he could shot although it was saved by Neuer and the Teutonic crossbar.
The Spanish national team needs at least one point next Thursday against Japan to seal their qualification for the World Cup qualifying round.
Hansi Flick's national team continued to play very well and saw how the VAR disallowed a goal by Rüdiger because of offside after ten minutes.
In the second half, Die Mannschaft increased the pressure with a chance for Kimmich to score and an exceptional save from Unai Simón.
It was then that Luis Enrique called up Morata, who was once again grateful for the confidence and made a brilliant finish from Jordi Alba's assist to put the ball into the back of the net.
Álvaro Morata moved up to fifth in the scoring charts and was named man of the match.
The Germans were almost out of the World Cup and in a burst of pride with a triple substitution; the national team did their best to get the draw. It was Musiala who passed the ball brilliantly to striker Füllkrug. The last one finally scored with less than ten minutes to the end of the match.
A clearance from Rodrigo after Sané's run kept uncertainty a draw that would not change on a venue that has brought together thousands of Spanish fans to give warmth and colour to a colossal football match.
The loyal fans now want to give the national team a ticket to the round of 16, for which they need at least a point next Thursday against Japan.
DATA SHEET
Unai Simón, Carvajal, Rodrigo Hernández, Laporte, Jordi Alba (Balde 82´), Busquets, Gavi (Nico Williams 66´), Pedri, Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio (Koke 66´) and Ferran Torres (Morata 54´).
National Coach: Luis Enrique Martínez
Neuer, Süle, Kehrer (Klostermann 70´), Rüdiger, David Raum (Scholetterbeck 87´), Gundogan (Sané 70´), Kimmich, Goretzka, Gnabry (Hofmann 84´), Thomas Müller (Füllkrug 70´) and Musiala.
National Coach: Hansi Flick
1-0 | (62´) Morata
1-1 | (83´) Füllkrug
Danny Makkelie (the Netherlands): He cautioned Sergio Busquets (44´) for Spain and Kehrer (37´), Goretzka (58´), and Kimmich (60´) for Germany.
Assistant referees: Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries (the Netherlands)
Fourth official: Istvan Kovacs (Belgium)
VAR: Paulus Van Boekel (the Netherlands)
AVAR: Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)
VOR offside room: Taleb Al Marri (Qatar)
VOR room supporter: Paolo Valeri (Italy)
Second round Group E. XXII FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor)
The president of the RFEF, Luis Rubiales, the head of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and the rest of the institutional and sports representatives followed the match from the authorities’ box.