Germany kept their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup knockout rounds alive as they battled to a draw against Spain on Sunday evening.

Hansi Flick's side went into the tournament as one of the favourites but were shocked by Japan in their opening match in Qatar.

Germany took a one-goal lead but collapsed in the second half and fell to a 2-1 defeat.

They needed to get at least a point in a mouthwatering clash with Spain at Al Bayt Stadium.

It looked as if they would suffer their second successive defeat when Alvaro Morata gave the Spaniards the lead in the 62nd minute.

But Germany were rescued by Niclas Fullkrug with seven minutes remaining.

The 29-year-old, making just his third appearance for Germany, found himself with acres of space inside Spain's box and powered his effort past Unai Simon.

Read more: Niclas Füllkrug: Who is Germany's World Cup game-changer from Spain draw?

Germany pushed for a winner but could not find one and were forced to settle for a draw.

Leon Goretzka in action for Germany

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group E - Germany v Japan - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - November 23, 2022 Germany's Leon Goretzka reacts REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Leon Goretzka steam-rolls Sergio Busquets

Germany have a number of physical players in their ranks; one of them being Leon Goretzka.

The Bayern midfielder has undergone a crazy body transformation having packed on the muscle in the past few years.

Goretzka is one of the strongest players at the World Cup and Sergio Busquets found out the hard way in stoppage-time of the match.

Germany were given a corner in the 94th minute and were looking to grab a late winner.

Busquets went back to defend and was given the task of marking Antonio Rudiger.

But it ended badly for the 34-year-old. He lost Rudiger and, in an attempt to catch up, was sent to the turf after being flattened by Goretzka. Watch the moment below...

VIDEO: Leon Goretzka steam-rolls Sergio Busquets in Spain vs Germany

Poor Busquets.

The 34-year-old did not see the German midfielder and fell to the ground as if he had hit a brick wall.

View some reaction to the moment below...

Fans react

Who will qualify from Group E?

Spain are in pole position to qualify to the knock rounds from Group E.

Luis Enrique's side have amassed four points from their opening two games and know a draw against Japan in their final group game will see them through.

Costa Rica and Japan are level on three points, with Germany bottom with one point.

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Germany have to beat Costa Rica and hope that Spain defeat Japan to get through to the last 16.

It's going to be a fascinating ending to the group, with the final round of games set to be played on Thursday December 1.

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