Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the international friendly between Germany and Spain from Dusseldorf.
Tonight will be the 23rd meeting between these two nations in international football, and Germany lead the head-to-head nine wins to seven.
The pair last locked horns in a friendly back in November 2014, and it was Germany that recorded a 1-0 win courtesy of a late strike from Toni Kroos.
Follow live minute-by-minute updates of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live international friendly coverage continues from Dusseldorf as the world champions Germany welcome the mighty Spain for what should be a cracking game of football. There are no points or prizes on offer in Germany tonight, but it really is a showpiece international friendly. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates of the action!
6.49pmTonight will be the 23rd meeting between these two nations in international football, and Germany lead the head-to-head nine wins to seven. The pair last locked horns in a friendly back in November 2014, and it was Germany that recorded a 1-0 win courtesy of a late strike from Toni Kroos.
6.52pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Germany. Have both managers selected their strongest XIs, or have fringe players been given the chance to impress in this match? Let's run through the two teams ahead of the clash in Dusseldorf...
6.55pmTEAMS!
GERMANY: Ter Stegen; Kimmich, Hummels, Boateng, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Draxler, Muller, Ozil; Werner
SPAIN: De Gea; Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Thiago, Koke, Iniesta; Silva, Rodrigo, Isco
6.58pmAs expected, Joachim Low has selected a very strong Germany XI tonight. Manuel Neuer's continued absence means that Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen starts between the sticks, while Bayern Munich pair Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels are at centre-back. Thomas Muller, Julian Draxler and Mesut Ozil are tasked with supporting lone forward Timo Werner, who will be looking to add to the seven international goals that he has managed in 10 caps. So much talent in the home side's XI!
© Offside
7.02pmAs for Spain, head coach Julen Lopetegui has also selected a strong XI with perhaps the only surprise coming at centre-forward as Valencia's Rodrigo is given the nod. Rodrigo will win just his fourth cap, leaving Diego Costa and Iago Aspas on the bench. Thiago will join Andres Iniesta and Koke in the middle of the park, while Spain's first choice back four and indeed goalkeeper are all in the team.
7.05pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff tonight. I shall talk about the visitors a little bit later, but let's start with the home side Germany. Joachim Low's side are the reigning world champions following their 2014 success in Brazil, and they are seen by the bookmakers as the favourites to triumph at the 2018 competition in Russia.
7.08pm
The classic pre-match on-pitch chinwag. 45 minutes and counting until kick-off in Düsseldorf! ⚽#DieMannschaft #GERESP pic.twitter.com/qourAd8u93
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) March 23, 2018
7.12pmGermany absolutely breezed through their World Cup qualification section – winning all 10 of their Group C matches, scoring 43 times and conceding just four. The Germans have a quite stunning recent World Cup record having reached at least the semi-finals in each of their last three tournaments.
7.15pmNot since France 1998 have Germany failed to progress past the quarter-finals, with a runners-up spot in the 2002 competition followed by third-placed finishes in both 2006 and 2010. Germany then beat Argentina in the 2014 final to land the trophy on Brazilian soil. Four years on and not much has changed as the Germans are still an absolute powerhouse in international football.
7.18pmGermany have played two friendlies since completing their qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup. Indeed, they drew 0-0 with England in the latter stages of 2017 before drawing 2-2 at home to France. Low's side will host Spain tonight before welcoming the mighty Brazil on Tuesday.
7.22pm
Here's your Germany starting XI to face Spain! 🇩🇪🇪🇸 #DieMannschaft #GERESP pic.twitter.com/92x4GL2pFP
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) March 23, 2018
7.25pmGermany will also face Austria and Saudi Arabia in June before opening their 2018 World Cup group campaign against Mexico on June 17. Sweden and Korea Republic are also in Germany's group this summer, and it would be a huge surprise if Low's side failed to make it through to the knockout round.
7.28pmAs for Spain, La Roja are also considered to be one of the favourites for the World Cup this summer. They won the trophy in 2010, but a disappointing 2014 tournament saw them fail to make it past the group stages. Now under the leadership of Lopetegui, Spain will be looking to make a serious impression in Russia.
7.32pmLike Germany, Spain breezed through their 2018 World Cup qualification section – winning nine of their 10 matches to collect 28 points. Next up for the Spaniards after this one is an international friendly against Argentina on Tuesday, and they will also take on Switzerland and Tunisia in June before opening their World Cup tournament against Portugal on June 15.
7.35pm
OFICIAL | ¡Ya tenemos once! Estos son los elegidos para saltar al Esprit Arena y medirnos a la campeona del mundo. ¡VAMOS, VAMOS, VAMOS! 💪🏻🇪🇸#VamosEspaña pic.twitter.com/4cYPf5dhdo
— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) March 23, 2018
7.38pmIran and Morocco are also in Spain's World Cup group, and a poor result in their first match against Portugal would make things very interesting indeed. The old guard is still very much in place at Spain, but the squad is full of young talent, many of whom will be hoping to come of age in Russia.
7.42pmHere we go then; both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff tonight. It is Germany against Spain, and it should be an absolute cracker. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute coverage!
0 minKICKOFF! Germany kick things off on home soil...
2 min... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. The supporters will be hoping to see an open and entertaining game of football - let's hope that occurs!
4 minIt has been an open start to proceedings, with both teams having their moments in the final third. Kimmich has been busy down the right for Germany as he looks to hold off Alba, who has been looking to break forward. I would be astounded if there were not goals tonight due to the talent on the field.
6 minHalf-chance for Spain as Alba breaks down the left before delivering low into Iniesta, but the midfielder cannot release a shot under pressure. Spain are having all of the ball at the moment.
6 minGOAL! Germany 0-1 Spain (Rodrigo)
7 minSpain make the breakthrough in the sixth minute as Rodrigo collects a wonderful pass from Iniesta before lifting the ball into the far corner of the net. Super finish, but the pass was simply sensational!
9 minIt has been a decent response from Germany, with the home side delivering a number of crosses into the Spain box. Pique actually ducks out of the way when a cross comes into the middle of the box, but Alba is on hand to make the clearance. It has been a brilliant nine minutes of football.
11 minHalf-chance for the home side as Hector meets a dropping ball outside the box, but his volley was always moving wide of the post. Germany have been strong since they conceded here.
13 minNothing friendly about this match at the moment. Both managers have selected strong teams, and this has the feel of a match deep into the 2018 World Cup. Two excellent sides on display tonight.
15 minSpain have not had much of the ball since they took the lead. That said, Germany have not really threatened to level; Hector hit one from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post.
17 minBrilliant goalkeeping from De Gea as the Manchester United stopper comes to claim a high ball under pressure from Muller. Germany have been keen to cross the ball in the opening 17 minutes.
19 minCHANCE! Big chance for Spain as Isco delivers a low cross into Silva, but the attacker's touch is just too heavy, and Ter Stegen is on hand to collect. Brilliant from Isco there.
22 minEnd-to-end football at the moment as both teams continue to share the ball. Germany again break into a wide position before delivering through Kimmich, but De Gea makes the claim. Delivering early crosses into the Spain box has been a feature of Germany's work in the opening 22 minutes here.
24 minSilva is running this game for Spain at the moment, but Germany are very dangerous when they break into the final third of the field. Rodrigo's goal remains the difference in Dusseldorf.
24 minCLOSE! Super chance for Germany to level as Werner breaks beyond the Spain defence before looking to pick out the far corner, but his effort is just wide of the post!
26 minIt must be said that this has been a wonderful 26 minutes of football. Rodrigo continues to impress at the tip of the Spain attack as his movement is allowing Iniesta and Silva to drift into central areas.
28 minSuper defending from Boateng as the Bayern centre-back manages to head clear a wonderful Silva free kick. Spain are playing incredibly well at the moment as they continue to pass and probe here.
30 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Spain are all over Germany at the moment. It is perhaps about time the referee got his card out, meanwhile, as late challenges continue to arrive. Muller is the latest player to fly into Ramos, and it was a poor tackle from the Bayern forward.
32 minWonderful football from Spain as they break on Germany before Iniesta feeds Koke inside the home side's box, but the Atletico midfielder cannot pick out Rodrigo, and the danger is finally cleared.
34 minHalf-chance for the home side as Hector is released by Kroos in a dangerous position, but the left-back's effort is deflected wide of the post. Decent spell of pressure from the Germans here.
35 minGOAL! Germany 1-1 Spain (Muller)
36 minGermany level the scores in the 36th minute as Muller collects a pass from Khedira on the edge of the Spain box before finding the top corner with a quite sensational effort. What a goal!
38 minThe standard of this match has been absolutely incredible. Brilliant game of football.
40 minIt will be very interesting to see which changes are made in the second period. Both benches are also sensational. The strength in depth of both Germany and Spain is just ludicrous.
42 minIsco carries the ball clear for Spain, but Draxler does not allow him to pass. There has still not been a single yellow card in this match, but we must be getting close due to the nature of some of the fouls.
44 minBoth teams continue to enjoy possession of the football as we approach the final stages of what has been an excellent first half of football. Two wonderful goals, and we are at 1-1 here.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Germany 1-1 Spain
8.33pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Spain led in the sixth minute when Rodrigo found the back of the net with a smart finish, before Muller levelled for Germany 10 minutes before the end of the first half. It has been a wonderful game of football between two of the fancied teams for this summer's World Cup in Russia.
8.38pmSTATISTICS! Spain shaded the first-half possession with 56%, but they only actually managed two attempts - one of which was on target. Germany, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their five attempts. No yellow cards to report, but there has been 11 fouls - some of which have been rash!
8.43pmBENCH WATCH! Asensio, Aspas, Diego Costa, Lucas Vazquez and Saul Niguez are among those that will be hoping to see some action for Spain in the second 45 minutes. Germany, meanwhile, have the likes of Brandt, Gomez, Gundogan, Rudiger, Sane and Wagner in reserve. Some talent there!
46 minRESTART! Spain resume the action here...
46 min... SPAIN SUB! Saul Niguez has replaced Iniesta at the interval.
48 minSAVE! Stunning save from De Gea as the Spain goalkeeper turns a Draxler strike wide of the post. The ball was flying into the top corner before De Gea flew across his goal there!
50 minGermany are very much on the front foot at the moment as Spain are forced to defend their own penalty box. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match.
51 minSPAIN SUB! Nacho replaces Pique for Spain.
52 minMoments before the Spain change, Ozil broke into the box before poking towards goal, but his effort never had enough power to find the back of the net. Germany pressure at the moment.
53 minWe are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be making changes here.
53 minGERMANY SUB! Khedira is replaced by Gundogan.
55 minFirst sign of Spain pressure in the second period as Alba breaks into the Germany box, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. Spain just need a little period of possession at the moment.
56 minSAVE! Stunning save from Ter Stegen to keep out a close-range Isco effort!
57 minSAVE! Wonderful from De Gea this time as the Spain goalkeeper manages to push a Gundogan strike wide of the post. Two excellent pieces of goalkeeping here.
58 minWe have two wonderful goalkeepers on display tonight!
59 minSPAIN SUB! Asensio replaces Isco for Spain.
62 minLittle under 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and we are still locked at 1-1. Both teams have had super chances to register in the second half, but both goalkeepers have been in excellent form. Germany have only made one change, but they have a number of players warming up here.
64 minHalf-chance for Germany as Werner breaks into a dangerous position before striking towards goal, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. Werner has been really good for the home side tonight.
65 minCROSSBAR! Hummels heads a Kroos free kick against the crossbar!
66 minSPAIN SUB! Costa replaces Rodrigo for the away side.
68 minCLOSE! Super chance for Spain as Silva meets a deep cross from Asensio, but the attacker's effort is just wide of the post. Somehow we are still level at 1-1 here.
68 minGERMANY SUB! Sane replaces Draxler for the home side.
71 minSPAIN SUB! Lucas Vazquez replaces Silva for Spain.
73 minLittle over 15 minutes of the second period remaining, and it must be said that this has been a wonderful game of football. Both of these teams will be real powerhouses at the 2018 World Cup.
75 minWe have not seen an awful lot from Costa since the Atletico forward entered the field. It has become a bit scrappy, although both teams are still committing plenty of numbers to each attack.
77 minCHANCE! Huge chance for Spain as the ball bounces kindly for Costa inside the Germany box, but the Atletico forward sees his effort blocked by Boateng!
79 minStill more than 10 minutes of football remaining, and both teams will be looking to nick a winner. In truth, a draw is about right at the moment based on what we have seen in Dusseldorf.
81 minGERMANY SUB! Goretzka replaces Muller for the home side.
82 minSPAIN SUB! Rodri replaces Thiago for the away side.
84 minLittle over five minutes of the second period remaining, and Germany are popping the ball around in the final third of the field. Mario Gomez will soon join the action for the home side here.
84 minGERMANY SUB! Gomez replaces Werner for the hosts.
86 minYou do get the feeling that there might be one last big chance in this match.
88 minPossession football for Spain as we head for the final two minutes of normal time here.
90 minGomez has one deflected wide for Germany as we enter stoppage time here.
90+1 minWe are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the match.
90 min+2FULL-TIME: Germany 1-1 Spain
9.37pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. A brilliant game of football in Dusseldorf! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live international coverage once again. See you soon!
