Match Report: Germany 1-1 Spain

Thomas Muller cancelled Rodrigo Moreno’s early goal as Spain and Germany played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Dusseldorf on Friday.

Spain travelled to Germany, playing out an entertaining draw, in what was undoubtedly more competitive than a friendly fixture that it was supposed to be. Rodrigo Moreno had given Spain an early lead, but Thomas Muller cancelled it out with a thunderous strike from 25 yards out ten minutes before half-time.

Germany and Spain both proved their credentials as the tournament favourites when the World Cup starts in June. Both the European powerhouses were on 21 and 16-game unbeaten runs respectively, and this draw keeps those streaks going for now.

DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 23: Rodrigo Moreno of Spain celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the International friendly match between Germany and Spain at Esprit-Arena on March 23, 2018 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Rodrigo Moreno, after exceptional work from Andres Iniesta, opened the scoring for Spain. (Photo courtesy: AFP/Getty Images)

Spain were the bright starters on the night, threatening with plays through the lines in the German box and deservedly went ahead. Andres Iniesta set Rodrigo up with a delightful through ball, with the Valencia forward firing a first-time shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to give Spain the lead.

The goal did give Spain the lead but did not put Germany under pressure as the World Champions rallied with attacks of their own, and by the end of the first half, Thomas Muller had equalised. Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Jonas Hector were all involved in the build-up, as Muller took a touch forward and lashed a 25-yard stunner past David De Gea.

DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 23: Thomas Mueller of Germany celebrates with teammate Jerome Boateng after scoring his sides first goal during the International friendly match between Germany and Spain at Esprit-Arena on March 23, 2018 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Thomas Muller equalised for Germany with a spectacular 25-yard piledriver. (Photo courtesy: AFP/Getty Images)

The second half started in the same action-packed way as the first. Isco forced a good save from ter Stegen, while on the other end, Mats Hummels went close in the 65th minute. Germany, however, posed a more significant goalscoring threat in the second half, but De Gea was superb in saving everything that was shot at him.

In the end, both teams could have won the game, especially in the moment when Diego Costa had a clear chance to wrap up the game, only for ter Stegen to stand in his way. Up next for Germany are Brazil, while Spain meet Argentina.

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