An opening match defeat by Japan had hardly augured well for this clash in the Al Bayt Stadium.

Spain's 6-0 rout of the Germans the last time they met added to the apprehension. And the grim backdrop of dissatisfied sponsors, and many Germans back home wishing their team had not even come to Qatar because of the host nation’s human rights record, can have done little to boost German morale.

But if this was a German team in crisis, you would never have known and it set about its task with plenty of huff and not inconsiderable puff. Much industry, though precious little art.

Having survived until half-time goalless, the inevitable began to loom when it fell behind to a 62nd minute Alvaro Morata flick.

Many in the arena expected Spain to ease to the finish line as it stretched the Germans this way and that with incisive passing and tireless pressing.

But then German coach Hansi Flick played his masterstroke.

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