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Hansi Flick speaks on Germany’s late draw with Spain.
After his team secured a late World Cup draw against Spain, Germany head coach Hansi Flick was extremely pleased with his group.
In Group E, Die Mannschaft had a terrible start after losing to Japan 2-1 on the opening day of play, leaving them extremely vulnerable to being eliminated early.
While this was going on, Spain destroyed Costa Rica 7-0 to get things going. But in Sunday’s highly contested match between the two previous world champions, Germany managed to hold them off.
La Roja pulled ahead through Alvaro Morata, but Germany managed to steal a point in the dying embers thanks to substitute Niclas Fullkrug’s powerful finish. Flick praised his side, but remained realistic, speaking after the game: “The team fought unconditionally. But we only took one step.
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“We are a team. We have, even if it is to be read differently, a good togetherness,” he added: “It’s gigantic what the team has achieved. I am proud.”
“There are warriors on the pitch playing with hearts. If we take this momentum with us – and we get even more self-confidence – then a lot is possible.”
Germany was very seriously facing yet another group-stage elimination after falling behind, much like the disappointment of 2018 when they were eliminated early as the defending champions.
A point puts them in an excellent position to go to the round of 16, even if it is still preferable to three, especially given that they had opportunities to win the game. On matchday three, they take on Costa Rica and need to win to maintain their aspirations, but they also need Spain to defeat Japan so they can advance.