KEIR RADNEDGE in DOHA —- If any one of the great classical composers had been transported into the Al Bayt Stadium they would have recognised the patterns and cadences of Spain’s 1-1 draw with Germany.

The goalless first half was the opening movement, a sonata with Spain’s technical virtuosi floating above the rumbling German undertones. The second movement provided a short adagio preparing the key change for a third movement minuet which saw Spain taking up the melody – with a goal. The fourth movement climax delivered a German equaliser and a grand major key finale.

Far-fetched of course but the most classy confrontation of the 2022 World Cup finals thus far demands a worthy metaphor. Football is not only artistic creativity but the impetus provided by solid key signature and rhythmic which all drives the combined passion in pursuit of 90-minute achievement.

To return to the prosaic, the 1-1 draw planted Spain firmly atop Group F on four points followed by Japan and Costa Rica on three apiece and Germany with one.

Such is the delicate balance of power than Germany are far from eliminated. Hansi Flick’s men must beat Costa Rica in their last group game and hope Spain beat Japan. While Spain need only a point to top the group the Japanese cannot be certain that a draw will secure runners-up spot.

Oddly, Al Bayt saw only the second all-European clash of these finals. It was also the first meeting in Qatar of two past world champions and the quality of the football matched both their histories and expectations.

Quick start

Spain might have scored after six minutes. Gavi and Marco Asensio set up Dani Olmo for a thundering drive which Manuel Neuer tipped up against his crossbar. Then Jordi Alba unleashed a drive just wide of Neuer’s right-hand post.

Germany provoked occasional chaos in the Spanish defence which led to Serge Gnabry shooting wide. In the 39th minute Germany even put the ball into the net but Tony Rudiger stretched forward to meet a Joshua Kimmich free kick a fraction too early and VAR ruled him offside.

Germany, having ended 45 minutes on level terms, began to look more confident after the interval and dared to advance in their own right rather than on the transition.

Spain coach Luis Enrique, dissatisfied with his failing attak, replaced Ferran Torres with Alvaro Morata and was rewarded minutes later as the striker beat Niklas Sule to the stretch and dabbed Jordi Alba’s assist up past Neuer’s right hand.

Attacking substitutes

At this point, for all their eager running, the game looked up for Germany until coach Hansi Fick produced two rabbits out of his own hat in attacking substitutes Leroy Sane and surprise late call-up Niclas Fullkrug.

They knew they had no time to waste.

First Sane set up the outstanding Jamal Musiala who had only Unai Simon to beat but was denied by the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm. Musiala, unfazed, returned to the fray, drove into the heart of the Spanish defence and Fullkrug struck the equaiser with seven minutes left.

Thus was much more like the Germany the game has learned to admire down the years. The closing minutes were one-way traffic with Germany chasing the winner. Two Joshua Kimmich corners skimmed the face of Simon’s goal without anyone making contact.

Everything to play for next Thursday.

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