Today, LiveSoccerTV.com takes you through interesting World Cup facts between the two teams ahead of the Germany-Spain encounter. Inform yourself as you attempt to bet on the outcome of this game!
Germany-Spain – The Three World Cup Meetings
Germany-Spain, Meeting One: The first time Germany and Spain met at a World Cup was in 1966, on Match-day Three of the competition. They were paired in the same group (precisely, Group 2) with Argentina and Switzerland included as well. The Germans got the better of their European rivals thanks to Emmerich and Seeler’s goals which sealed a 2-1 comeback against the Spanish. This bitter result ended Spain’s 1966 World Cup dreams. They eventually crashed out in the first round.
Germany-Spain, Meeting Two: The same result occurred between Germany and Spain in the 1982 FIFA World Cup. For the Spaniards, failing to reach the knock-out stages of the tournament that was staged on their soil was quite disappointing.
Germany-Spain, Meeting Three: In the 1994 World Cup held in the USA, the Spanish attempted to take revenge on the Germans. Like in 1966, Germany and Spain were drawn in the same group. Goikoetxea put Spain in front with a 14th minute goal. But former Germany coach and player Jurgen Klinsmann secured a draw for his side with an equalizer.
The game ended 1-1 and the result was good enough for both teams to qualify from their group. In that tournament, Germany crashed out from the quarter-finals after suffering a 2-1 defeat in the hands of Bulgaria. Spain exited at the same stage after losing out 2-1 to Italy.
Germany-Spain, Now: For the second time only and the first time ever since the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, Spain will play a semi-final World Cup match. The only time they played in the semis of the competition, they finished fourth. Germany, meanwhile, failed to reach this round only 5 times out of 17 World Cup appearances. So Spain have never beaten Germany in a World Cup. Would they do so this time?
The Moses Mabhida ‘Durban Stadium’ Factor
Germany and Spain have each played one game at that venue in South Africa. Germany opened the Moses Mabhida stadium with a game against Australia. Goals didn’t lack as the public witnessed a 4-0 German destruction of the Australians. That was on June 13.
In contrast, Spain were exposed to the first real shock of the 2010 FIFA World Cup as they got defeated 1-0 by Switzerland at that venue. This happened on Match-day One in Group H.
Pretty bad memories left at the Durban Stadium for the Spaniards. Can they turn around what the suffered on that day? Keep in mind that Spain have never beaten Germany in a World Cup match.
Germany-Spain – Statistics Comparisons, Who Wins?
Matches Won, Draw, or Lost
Germany: 4 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss
Spain: 4 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss
In this case, Germany and Spain are equal. Let’s take it for a draw.
Goals Scored, Goals Conceded
Germany: 13 goals for, 2 goals against
Spain: 6 goals for, 2 goals against
Germany have a better goal scoring record at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Let’s declare Germany as winners.
Yellow or Red Cards Received
Germany: 8 yellow cards, 1 red card, no straight red card
Spain: 3 yellow cards, no red card at all
These cards statistics may provoke debates over the attitude of Spain’s players, especially following Capdevila and Fernando Torres’ blatant dives. Either way, based on the stats only, let’s declare Spain as winners.
(Check out why many people think that both Torres and Capdevila deserved to be booked and thus increase Spain's card tally. Go here: 2010 World Cup: Top Five Dives - Are Cristiano Ronaldo And Co Actors?)
Fouls Committed
Germany: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose, Sami Khedira, Thomas Muller, and Arne Friedrich are the five players that have caused the most fouls in their squad. Amongst them, 34 fouls have been committed.
Spain: Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, and Andres Iniesta are the five players that have caused the most fouls in their squad. Amongst them, 35 fouls have been committed.
On this note, let’s declare Germany as the winners.
Passes Accuracy
Germany: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Sami Khedira, and Arne Friedrich are the five players who have done the most passes during matches. There have been 1478 passes between them. Their average of passing accuracy in total is of 79.26%.
Spain: Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, and Joan Capdevila are the five players who have done the most passes during matches. There have been 1989 passes between them. Their average of passing accuracy in total is of 83.32%.
On this note, let’s declare Spain as the winners.
So it comes down to one draw, two German wins, and two Spain wins. Still undecided. But who will win the match come Wednesday night?
Follow Germany vs Spain live on LiveSoccerTV.com! Read this related article: 2010 FIFA World Cup: Germany And The Thomas Muller Factor.
