The game was seen by many as a dress rehearsal for the latter stages of this summer’s World Cup, with both sides expected to compete for the title of world’s best in Russia.
The pair served up an entertaining encounter in Dusseldorf and it was the visitors who made the perfect start as Rodrigo slotted home after being picked out by Andres Iniesta’s fine through ball with just six minutes on the clock.
Spain looked the better side in the opening exchanges, with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen having to be alert to dive at the feet of David Silva as he threatened to extend their lead.
‘La Roja’ looked strong both in possession and on the counter-attack, but their excellent work was undone by a moment of magic from Thomas Muller 10 minutes before the break.
The Bayern Munich forward gathered the ball 25 yards out and sent a curling effort beyond David de Gea and into the top corner to restore parity and turn the game on its head.
March 23, 2018
With that, the two sides went in level at the break and it stayed that way in the second half, despite a number of close calls.
Julian Draxler forced de Gea into a diving save within minutes of the restart and with 10 minutes of the second period gone, both goalkeepers took centre-stage.
First, Ter Stegen threw himself in the way of Isco’s effort when it looked for all the world like he was going to convert Jordi Alba’s low cross from the left.
Then, from the ensuing counter, de Gea had to dive full-stretch away to his right to tip substitute Ilkay Gundogan’s low effort away for a corner.
The hosts looked the more likely to claim a winner and twice went close just after the hour mark as Timo Werner fired into the side-netting after getting in behind Nacho, before Mats Hummels saw a looping header from a Toni Kroos free-kick clip the bar on its way over.
In the end though there was nothing to separate the sides, with both maintaining their unbeaten records.
Germany last lost in the semi-final of Euro 2016 to hosts France, whilst Spain are now unbeaten in their last 17 games.
Spain return home for a game against Argentina at the Wanda Metropolitano next up, whilst Germany host Brazil in Berlin.
March 23, 2018