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Germany fighting for survival as they prepare for Spain showdown

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epa10330648 Germany's Thomas Mueller (C) with his teammates during a training session of the national soccer team of Germany in Al Ruwais, Qatar, 26 November 2022. Germany will face Spain in their second group E match of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on 27 November. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK


Germany faces a fight for World Cup survival ahead of their must-win encounter against Spain at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor on Sunday evening.

Germany will be kicked out of the group stage for the second straight World Cup if they lose their Group E match against Spain at the Al Bayt Stadium.

The four-time champions are in danger of being kicked out of the tournament after a shocking 2-1 loss to Japan in their first game on Wednesday.

Before the tournament, it was almost unthinkable that Germany would leave early, since they did the same thing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Hansi Flick, the coach of Germany, said Saturday that his team had what it took to beat a Spain team that beat Costa Rica 7-0 in their first game.

“We have a team that has quality, that can implement the things (we are working on), and we are very positive about it,” Flick said.

“We need to arrive with courage and with faith in our quality for this game against Spain.”

Spain coach Luis Enrique says he will go into this encounter with the utmost respect for the German national team.

“They are world champions, when you look there are four stars on their shirt,” the Spain coach said.

“I have a lot of respect for their players, they are world class, and their history is there to see.”

Photo by EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK