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Key events
Spain make one change to their starting XI following the 7-0 rout of Costa Rica. Dani Carvajal replaces Cesar Azpilicueta in defence.
Germany respond to the earth’s-orbit-compromising loss to Japan by making two changes to their starting line-up. Thilo Kehrer replaces Nico Schlotterbeck, while forward Kai Havertz makes way for an extra midfielder in Leon Goretzka.
The teams
Spain: Simon, Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Jordi Alba, Gavi, Busquets, Gonzalez, Ferran Torres, Asensio, Olmo.
Subs: Sanchez, Azpilicueta, Garcia, Pau Torres, Llorente, Morata, Koke, Williams, Raya, Balde, Guillamon, Pino, Carlos Soler, Sarabia, Fati.
Germany: Neuer, Sule, Kehrer, Rudiger, Raum, Gundogan, Kimmich, Goretzka, Gnabry, Muller, Musiala.
Subs: Ginter, Havertz, Fullkrug, Gotze, Trapp, Klostermann, Brandt, Hofmann, Sane, Gunter, ter Stegen, Schlotterbeck, Adeyemi, Kotchap, Moukoko.
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Preamble
Good evening, and welcome to our coverage of the first heavyweight battle of the 2022 World Cup. Early this morning, we all assumed it would be infused with extreme jeopardy for Germany: after their shock 2-1 loss to Japan last week, defeat at the hands of Spain – who beat them 6-0 the last time they met, and will be hoping to seal qualification tonight – would see them packing. The 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014 winners out at the group stage again.
But then Costa Rica stunned Japan this lunchtime. Now Group E looks like this …
… so Germany can afford to lose again tonight and, providing they haven’t let the goal difference spiral out of control, still have a realistic chance of making it through to the last 16. Beat Costa Rica handsomely while Spain see off Japan, and that’d be the job done.
Of course, nothing’s ever quite as simple as that. In that scenario, even if they see off the Costa Ricans easily enough, Japan will be fighting for their lives against a Spain B side, Luis Enrique’s main men taking a well-earned rest having as good as won the group, and a draw would be enough to knock Germany out.
But you could tire yourself out working through all the possible outcomes. Bottom line is, Germany need a win to realistically keep it in their own hands. (A draw would keep it in their hands mathematically, but they’d most likely need a cricket score against Costa Rica.) Best just to concentrate on matters in hand. Kick off is at 7pm GMT, 10pm at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. انه يحدث! It’s on!
