Thomas Muller Scores Stunning Strike As Germany Draw With Spain

Germany and Spain are heading to the World Cup among the hot favourites to win the tournament in Russia, and they proved why during an entertaining 1-1 draw in Dusseldorf on Friday night.

Julen Lopetegui’s men took a deserved early lead through Valencia’s Rodrigo, before Thomas Müller returned to form with a stunning equaliser.

Here are four talking points from a pulsating heavyweight clash.

Rodrigo justified his selection to Lopetegui

Arguably the biggest surprise when the squad for these international friendlies was announced was the exclusion of Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata. His injuries and poor form had left Lopetegui with a decision to make, and he didn’t make the cut; not that Antonio Conte had too much sympathy for the Blues’ record signing. Another man Conte is hardly friendly with, Diego Costa, was fully expected to lead the line in this game and at the World Cup itself this summer.

But Lopetegui opted for Valencia’s Rodrigo who, despite lacking pedigree on the international stage, has been in superb form in LaLiga this season. The cousin of Thiago Alcantara, who started in midfield, has scored 16 goals for Valencia, and netted just his second on the international stage to give his side the lead six minutes into the game. His run was found by a typically stunning through ball from Andres Iniesta who, even though he really didn’t need to, offered a timely reminder of just how much he can transform this Spain side. In truth, Lopetegui has not yet found the solution to their post-David Villa and Fernando Torres striker troubles, but Rodrigo has really given him, Morata and Atletico Madrid’s Costa some food for thought.

Thomas Müller finally ends his international drought

It is getting to that point of every four year cycle that Müller hits top form; there is just something about the World Cup that gets the very best out of the Bayern Munich striker. He equalised, probably against the run of play, with his 38th goal for Germany; crucially, though, it was his first in a year on the international stage. Such a run is alien to Müller, but he could barely have found a better time to bring it to an end, with just three games and three months until Die Mannschaft defend their crown in Russia.

What a goal it was, too. Müller had seen the game completely pass him by until that point, 35 minutes in; receiving the ball from captain Sami Khedira, he generated an impressive amount of power with very little backlift and his instep. But that didn’t stop the ball sailing over David de Gea and into the top corner. Germany have their not so secret weapon primed and ready; he will hope he can find more consistent form before Germany take on Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium on June 17.

Spain’s lack of pace is no problem at all

David Silva is 32, Iniesta is 33, Sergio Ramos is 31, and made his 150th international appearance, and Gerard Pique is 31; the remainder of the spine of Spain’s 2008-12 glory team is approaching the end. To some teams, having four vital players reaching their career swansongs could be seen as a disaster, but for La Roja, it doesn’t matter at all. Lopetegui has not done much to dilute the purity of their playing style, which was once again evident on Friday night. As age increases, pace usually decreases, but these players have never had it in abundance; neither do Isco, Koke, Saúl or Marco Asensio, those charged with replacing the outgoing midfield greats. It is all about the system; pace, move, pass, move, at the blink of an eye.

Youth and experienced combined to devastating effect in the first half with Iniesta and Isco linking up well. The Barcelona veteran set up Spain’s goal with that beautiful pass in the opening minutes, but what stood out perhaps even more was his unrivalled ability to remain in space. Iniesta was always spare, while Isco buzzed around and seemingly never lost the ball; he changed his role slightly when Iniesta was substituted, taking on more responsibility deeper on the pitch. Silva pushed on and could have won it after the break, but the common theme was how Spain constantly made the ball do all the running so their slow midfielders, old and young, didn’t have to.

David De Gea and Marc-Andre ter Stegen engaged in a personal battle

For years, debating the identity of the world’s best goalkeeper was a fruitless endeavour. Manuel Neuer dominated the discussion and years of consistent performances with Germany and Bayern Munich all but cemented him in that ranking. But the development of David de Gea at Manchester United, despite some tough years at Old Trafford, and a long-term injury that Neuer is still recovering from, has reopened and possibly even overturned the argument. Neuer has work to do to get back on top; but only if he can recover his place on the international stage.

The main beneficiary of Neuer’s continued absence has arguably been Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The Barcelona stopper has staked a claim to be Germany number one in his own right, and he certainly did his chances no harm on the night, impressing Joachim Löw with a string of good saves. Another of Germany’s new kids on the block, striker Timo Werner, had opportunities to win the game, but for another decent, if understated, performance by de Gea.