World Cup: after a superb shock, Germany was able to stand up to Spain and stay alive

During the draw last April, this Spain-Germany had been marked as the great summit of the first fortnight.

The group final for sure, a shock worthy of a European or world final.

To know the winner of this pool E, we will come back, but as far as the beauty of the show is concerned, it's a big yes.

The 68,000 lucky guys at Al-Bayt Stadium stayed until the end on Sunday evening.

It was not Qatar-Ecuador opposite, like seven days ago, not the beginning of the debacle of the locals in this competition, but two strongholds of football which clashed.

Two nations in opposite health but who were able to come together to offer a very high level duel, which ended in a superb draw (1-1).

There was no question of missing a crumb, even less of missing his start.

The first Spanish period did not give the Germans time to get their heads back after Wednesday's debacle against the Japanese (1-2).

La Roja imposed their style of play (68% possession), their massive use of the width of the field and their redoubling of passes.

Dani Olmo was the first to stand out (7th minute) with a cross shot diverted from the fingertips by Manuel Neuer.

Rüdiger's Germany managed to respond to this intensity despite some fears still, fortunately aborted by the clumsiness of Ferran Torres (26th, 33rd) facing the cages.

A matter of substitutes

The match was evenly matched afterwards.

Beaten in the midfield engagement, an area in principle locked by the Gavi-Busquets-Pedri trio, the Iberians were even on the verge of paying dearly for their love of risk.

In the 56th minute, Simon misses his full axis pass, the ball returns to Kimmich's feet within six meters who ensures his shot from the right too much.

The click finally came from Alvaro Morata, the stereotype of these attackers never as decisive as when they come off the bench to extinguish criticism.

Eight minutes after replacing Torres, here he is deceiving Neuer with a mischievous exterior (1-0, 62nd).

A goal that owes a lot to the largesse of Thilo Kehrer.

The German right side delivered a poor copy in his hallway, not likely to give regret to PSG, his club four months ago.

A last day of all dangers… except for France

Dani Olmo had warned that he should "not bury" his European neighbor.

He was right.

The determination of the Germans ended up paying off.

Spain can blame itself for not having supported but did it have the means?

Niclas Füllkrug, another entrant in place of veteran Thomas Müller, ended up equalizing in the 83rd minute (1-1).

Before Leroy Sané missed the winning goal in added time.

Thursday evening (8 p.m. in France), Spain can settle for a draw against Japan.

Germany will have to win against Costa Rica.

What she offered against the vice-champions of Europe is enough to reassure the much criticized Hansi Flick.

It remains to be confirmed, at the risk of taking the exit, as four years ago.

In other words, a cataclysm for a country of this stature.

Meanwhile, the French neighbor is still hanging around alone at his table of qualifiers.

How far away this curse of the reigning world champion seems.