Africa-Press – Gambia. Spain and Germany are the protagonists today, at 20:00, of the 26th game in history between the two teams and fate has wanted it to happen in the preliminary phase of group E of the World Cup, which takes place in Qatar.
After Spain’s resounding 7-0 victory over Costa Rica and Germany’s surprise 1-2 defeat by Japan, the group’s top teams are looking to make amends for the past.
Buoyed by victory, Luis Enrique presents a young group prepared to honor the Spanish flag. The taste of winning a World Cup infected the youth group. The mission is favorable due to the statistics of the games between the two world champion teams.
In 25 disputed occasions, the classic of world football registers a balanced history: eight Spanish victories, nine German triumphs and eight draws.
In world championships, the two teams faced each other four times, with a victory for Spain, a draw and two victories for Germany. The last game took place in 2010, in the semi-finals played in South Africa and the victory smiled at Spain by 1-0. Germany’s last victory was in 1982 in the tournament held on Spanish soil by 2-0.
With the exception of preparation games, the two teams faced each other 11 times, with a total draw: four wins for each team and three draws. Two years ago, in the Nations League, Spain thrashed Germany 6-0.
Germany’s last victory against Spain was in 2014 by 1-0 in a preparation game.
In official competitions, Germany’s last victory against Spain was at Euro 1988 by 2-0. Spain has three consecutive victories. In the last 12 games, Spain have only lost one. Spain have not lost in the World Cup for six games (in regular time) and have scored a total of 17 games.
The Spanish coach Luis Enrique was in the starting line-up in a duel against Germany in the World Cup in 1994 that saluted the tie: 1-1. Spain is looking for the second victory in two games at the World Cup, which it has not achieved since 2006. Germany lost the last two games held in the world championships and lost three of the four disputed. He has conceded goals for four games in the world cup.
In another group E game, Japan can seal their passage to the semi-finals today against Costa Rica, after surprising Germany in the opening game . A Japanese victory puts all the pressure on the two European teams, who face each other at the close of the round.
The concentration shown in the second half of the debut game makes the Japanese the main candidates for victory that can take them to the top of the group. Costa Rica does not offer defensive skills to stop the Asian “locks”.
GROUP F
Everything is open in group F. The four teams are likely to reach the round of 16. Belgium can add three more points and seal the passage if they have the frameworks to overcome Morocco’s well-built defense. The Africans drew in their opening game with Croatia and are motivated to reach the knockout stage. Belgian pressure and the athletes’ experience were decisive in the outcome of the Moroccan defense. Victory is the most likely outcome.
In another game, Croatia and Canada can play the biggest game in the group due to the high expectations prevailing in each group. The draw for the Europeans disenchanted Luca Modric’s team and they are looking to gain a position at the top of the standings.
European pretense can be overshadowed by wounded American pride. The defeat against Belgium is not digested. Today, the Canadians are looking for the first victory to cherish hope in another phase.
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