Spain and Germany will meet in Group E for the headline fixture during the group stage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, so what is La Roja and Die Mannschaft’s head-to-head record?
The match throws up an early tie between two former champions on November 27 in their second ties. Spain start their tournament against Costa Rica on November 23 as Germany face Japan, before they switch opponents on December 1 to determine who will progress.
It is the only group to contain two former winners of the World Cup, with record five-time champions Brazil in Group G, Argentina in Group C, France in Group D, Uruguay in Group H and England are in Group B. Four-time winners Italy failed to advance from their qualifiers.
Germany will strive to match Brazil’s record tally of five titles in the Middle East and to pull clear of Italy in second-place. Die Mannschaft won their fourth and most recent World Cup in Brazil in 2014, whilst the Selecao last triumphed in 2002 and the Azzurri four years later.
Spain sit with England as one-time champions after winning in South Africa in 2010, during which they eliminated Germany in the semi-finals 1-0. Carles Puyol headed in Xavi’s corner for the sole goal of the affair in Durban, sending La Roja to their first and, so far, only final.
Germany and Spain will arrive in Qatar among the favourites to go all the way and win the World Cup. Die Mannschaft are unbeaten across 13 games since Hansi Flick took over from Joachim Low in 2021, while La Roja have only lost just four of 31 games under Luis Enrique.
Spain and Germany’s head-to-head record at World Cups
The headline group stage tie of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar between Spain and Germany will be their fifth encounter at a finals. La Roja and Die Mannschaft have not met since the 2010 edition in South Africa, which saw Puyol send Vicente del Bosque’s side through 1-0.
It also returned Spain’s only win over Germany at a World Cup finals, as well as their only clean sheet. La Roja have scored in all four of their previous meetings with Germany, but Die Mannschaft hold the aggregate lead 5-4 following two 2-1 victories plus a 1-1 draw.
Germany won each of their first and second meetings with Spain at a finals 2-1 during the 1966 and 1982 editions. The debut meeting also occurred during the group stage, as West Germany topped Group 2 ahead of Argentina, while Spain exited in third with Switzerland.
The 1982 meeting took place in the second round of the tournament Spain hosted, which took the form of a second group stage. West Germany would top the table from England by a point, while La Roja finished third having only held the Three Lions to a goalless draw.
Spain and Germany will hope the Group E standings reflects the 1994 edition in the United States. Die Mannschaft beat La Roja to top Group C by two points above South Korea and Bolivia, after drawing 1-1 during their second tie of the opening round at the tournament.
Spain and Germany’s head-to-head record at European Championships
Spain and Germany have also met five times during the finals of a European Championship to date. They hold equal records at the tournament with two wins and a draw a piece, with Die Mannschaft holding the aggregate advantage at 5-3 following their two 2-0 victories.
The first European Championship encounter between the nations resulted in a 1-1 draw at the 1976 tournament. Germany and Spain have since taken it in turns between wins, with Die Mannschaft emerging triumphant in 1976 and ‘88 while La Roja won in ‘84 and 2008.
Germany’s win in 1976 saw Die Mannschaft qualify for the finals after beating Spain in the quarter-final to progress. Their win at Euro 1988 came in the final group stage game to top Group 1 from Italy, whilst La Roja exited the competition in West Germany with Denmark.
Spain would go on to reach the final of Euro 1984 before losing to host nation France after beating Germany in the group stage. But their highlight win came at Euro 2008, as La Roja beat Die Mannschaft 1-0 through Fernando Torres in the final in Vienna for their second title.
Spain and Germany’s head-to-head record in UEFA Nations League
Spain and Germany last met in any competition in November 2020 as La Roja stormed to a 6-0 rout in the UEFA Nations League. The clash in Seville saw Enrique’s side humble Low’s men with Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres (3), Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal each hitting the net.
La Roja would go on to end the first Nations League group stage top of League A Group 4 with Die Mannschaft in second. The nations drew 1-1 in their first meeting in September 2020 with Jose Gaya scoring a 94th-minute equaliser following Timo Werner’s earlier goal.
Spain and Germany’s head-to-head record in international friendlies
Spain and Germany have also met on 14 occasions in friendlies between 1935 and 2018. La Roja have won four of their non-competitive meetings to date, while Die Mannschaft have edged five. The nations have also drawn five encounters, including the last in March 2018.
The first friendly between Spain and Germany saw La Roja win 2-1, while Die Mannschaft took a first win in 1936. They link with results at World Cups, European Championships and during the UEFA Nations League for eight Spain wins, nine Germany wins and eight draws.
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