Football is sometimes larger-than-life, but on those very few occasions – such as this one tonight in Qatar – it’s completely irrelevant even when two exquisite sides like Spain and Germany meet at the World Cup.And yes, the Spaniards went 1-0 up thanks to Alvaro Morata’s classy second-half chip before Niclas Fullkrug buried it late to grab a point for his pale side, 1-1.And yes, this has been probably the first match with the label ‘big’ in the tournament so far, the closest thing we’ve been to witnessing a genuine derby.But, all in all, it was not about football, actually. But about Xana.Luis Enrique: “Today is a special day. Not only because we play Germany, but also because my daughter Xana would have turned 13. My love, wherever you are, I love you.” 🇪🇸❤️ pic.twitter.com/2MXQaBp3nR— World Cup Updates (@wc22updates) November 27, 2022 Luis Enrique’s daughter would have turned 13 on Sunday if it wasn’t for that horrible illness, cancer that took the little girl’s life back in 2019 when she was only 9.Enrique is known for his sincerity and a quite down-to-earth approach to media and the public, but everyone was left gutted after he told them what’s he thinking of in the hours before the kick-off.”Today is a special day. Not only because we play Germany but also because my daughter Xana would have turned 13. My love, wherever you are, I love you.”And yes, this one tonight was all about Xana.##EDITORS_CHOICE##When it comes to the match itself, it could have gone both ways, too. Rudiger even scored an opener in the first half, but it was rightfully disallowed due to a narrow offside. On the other end, former Manchester City striker Ferran Torres had quite a few clear-cut chances. Still, it stayed 0-0 on the scoreboard as the squads went to the locker rooms during the interval.Enrique then reached for his joker, Morata, who managed to put his side in front with his only sixth touch of the ball. At that point, it seemed La Furia Roja are about to clinch not only the victory but the first place in the group ahead of the Round of 16. Alas, the Germans wouldn’t be what they were if they surrendered too early.Hansi Flick made several changes instantly, and it paid off for him soon, as Niclas Fullkrug exploited Jamal Musiala’s pass to bring the match into a stalemate, 1-1.
Spain are sitting comfortably at the top of Group E with 4 points, Japan and Costa Rica both have 3, while Die Mannschaft are unexpectedly at the bottom with only 1. QATAR 2022 WORLD CUPSunday, Nov 20thQatar – Ecuador 0-2 (0-2)/Valencia 16 pen, 31/Monday, Nov 21stEngland – Iran 6-2 (3-0)/Bellingham 35, Saka 43, 62, Sterling 45+1, Rashford 71, Grealish 90 – Taremi 65, 90+12 p/Senegal – Netherlands 0-2 (0-0)/Gakpo 84, Klaassen 90+9/USA – Wales 1-1 (1-0)/Weah 36, Bale 82 pen/Tuesday, Nov 22ndArgentina – Saudi Arabia 1-2 (1-0)/Messi 10 pen – Al Shehri 48, Al Dawsari 53/Denmark – Tunisia 0-0Mexico – Poland 0-0France – Australia 4-1 (2-1)/Rabiot 27, Giroud 32, 71, Mbappe 68 – Goodwin 9/Wednesday, Nov 23rdMorocco – Croatia 0-0Germany – Japan 1-2 (1-0)/Gundogan 33 pen – Doan 75, Asano 83/Spain – Costa Rica 3-0 (3-0)/Olmo 11, Asensio 21, Torres 31 pen/Belgium – Canada 1-0 (1-0)/Batshuayi 44/Thursday, Nov 24thSwitzerland – Cameroon 1-0 (0-0)/Embolo 48/Uruguay – S.Korea 0-0Portugal – Ghana 3-2 (0-0)/Ronaldo 65 pen, Felix 78, Leao 80 – Ayew 73, Bukari 89/Brazil – Serbia 2-0 (0-0)/Richarlison 62, 73/Friday, Nov 25thWales – Iran 0-2 (0-0)/Cheshmi 90+9, Rezaiean 90+11/Qatar – Senegal 1-3 (0-1)/Muntari 78 – Dia 41, Diedhou 48, Dieng 84/Netherlands – Ecuador 1-1 (1-0)/Gakpo 6 – Valencia 49/England – USA 0-0Saturday, Nov 26thTunisia – Australia 0-1 (0-1)/Duke 23/Poland – Saudi Arabia 2-0 (1-0)/Zielinski 39, Lewandowski 82/France – Denmark 2-1 (0-0)/Mbappe 61, 86 – Christensen 68/Argentina – Mexico 2-0 (0-0)/Messi 64, Fernandez 87/Sunday, Nov 27thJapan – Costa Rica 0-1 (0-0)/Fuller 81/Belgium – Morocco 0-0Croatia – Canada 4-1 (2-1)/Kramaric 36, 70, Livaja 44, Majer 90+4 – Davies 2/Spain – Germany 1-1 (0-0)/Morata 62 – Fullkrug 83/Monday, Nov 28th13:00: (4.20) Cameroon (3.35) Serbia (1.95) G16:00: (2.55) S.Korea (2.95) Ghana (3.05) H19:00: (1.50) Brazil (4.10) Switzerland (7.00) G22:00: (2.10) Portugal (3.20) Uruguay (3.80) HTuesday, Nov 29th18:00: (1.30) Netherlands (5.20) Qatar (11.0) A18:00: (2.80) Ecuador (3.10) Senegal (2.65) A22:00: (6.00) Wales (3.80) England (1.60) B22:00: (3.60) Iran (3.35) USA (2.10) BWednesday, Nov 30th18:00: (10.0) Tunisia (5.00) France (1.33) D18:00: (7.00) Australia (3.60) Denmark (1.58) D22:00: (5.20) Poland (3.70) Argentina (1.70) C22:00: (5.70) Saudi Arabia (3.80) Mexico (1.63) CThursday, Dec 1st18:00: (3.80) Croatia (3.45) Belgium (2.00) F18:00: (3.45) Canada (3.15) Morocco (2.25) F22:00: (8.50) Japan (4.80) Spain (1.37) E22:00: (12.0) Costa Rica (6.50) Germany (1.23) EFriday, Dec 2nd18:00: (8.00) S.Korea (4.50) Portugal (1.42) H18:00: (4.80) Ghana (3.45) Uruguay (1.80) H22:00: (11.0) Cameroon (5.20) Brazil (1.30) G22:00: (2.60) Serbia (3.40) Switzerland (2.70) G***odds are subject to change***