Spain vs. Germany: Score, Grades and Reaction from International Friendly

The last two winners of the FIFA World Cup met in friendly action on Tuesday night, with Spain hosting Germany in Vigo.

Germany ended as victors this time, taking a 1-0 win thanks to a late goal from Toni Kroos in a match which was a little lower on quality than expected and certainly with few clear chances to appreciate.

"

Spain lost the ball possession (47%-53%) for the first time since the Euro 2008 Final (also vs. Germany)

— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) November 18, 2014"

The first chance of note fell to Nolito, making his debut for Spain in his home club stadium, as he turned easily infield past Antonio Rudiger to curl a shot at goal from 20 yards. Ron-Robert Zieler, in for the absent Manuel Neuer, made a reasonably comfortable save, but it gave an indication of the form and confidence of Nolito this season.

Germany's attacks in the opening quarter of the game were sporadic at best, but World Cup final goalscorer Mario Gotze had a smart volley saved by Iker Casillas, and Kevin Volland was almost played in at the far post by a deep cross, but Spain were never seriously troubled by either.

Lalo R. Villar/Associated Press

Soon after, Thomas Muller departed the pitch injured—another German to fall foul in this international break after Neuer, Jerome Boateng and Andre Schurrle—and Shkodran Mustafi needed treatment before continuing.

Isco curled a shot over the bar from 20 yards and Raul Garcia had a low effort easily stopped as Spain continued to look like the more dominant side.

Volland had the chance to play in Gotze one-on-one with the goalkeeper moments after sub Karim Bellarabi forced Casillas into a save with his feet as Germany tried to get the upper hand, but the final chances of the half were of low quality: a header over the bar from Garcia and a mis-hit clearance from Juan Bernat over his own crossbar.

Spain started the second half with a chance for Alvaro Morata on the run, set up by the impressive Isco, but Morata's shot was weak and easily saved. The Juventus forward had another chance a little while after, but his lack of pace allowed Benedikt Howedes to recover and make a challenge on the edge of the box.

"

60 - Isco has made more touches than any other player at the first half of Spain vs Germany. Active. pic.twitter.com/EJ8P6O4zI5

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 18, 2014"

In between those two flashes by Morata, Rudiger swiped a deflected shot off target and Gotze tried to squeeze between two defenders to no avail.

On a pitch which was cutting up quite considerably, the second half saw both teams endure a spell of giving the ball away with increasing frequency without creating any clear chances, before increasing numbers of substitutions saw the game fragment further.

Debutant goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was forced into an awkward-looking save within minutes of his arrival from a Volland shot, but he did enough to parry the ball up and away from goal.

Lalo R. Villar/Associated Press

Then came two big chances for Pedro as the game moved into the last 10 minutes; firstly, Isco's driving run freed him down the left and a first-time shot was parried away by Zieler before he drilled a shot into the net off the crossbar—only to see that Cesar Azpilicueta had incorrectly been flagged offside before putting the low cross to the far post area.

Just as it looked as though the game would meander to its goalless conclusion, Kroos took possession 25 yards out and arrowed a low shot toward the bottom corner—and Casilla was beaten as the ball bounced off the floor and over his shoulders for the only goal of the game, two minutes from full time.

"

EL GOLAZO DE KROOS CON ALEMANIA. https://t.co/MnA0t7G09x

— Templo Blanco (@BlancoTemplo) November 18, 2014"

Key Player Grades

Isco, MID, Spain: A

An impressive performance from the Real Madrid man, who has been in good form. He roamed from the centre of midfield into an attacking role, creating chances and looking to find the spaces between midfield and defensive lines. He was Spain's best offensive player and certainly showed that he has a role to play for the national team going forward, just as he has at club level over the past weeks and months.

Lalo R. Villar/Associated Press

Sami Khedira, MID, Germany: B

Khedira went through spells during the match when he bossed possession and drove forward to spark Germany into life, and spells when Spain simply passed him by. The midfielder, captain on the night, showed good energy and willingness to attack even when Germany struggled to get numbers into the box and was his usual capable self with his defensive duties.

Alvaro Morata, FWD, Spain: C

Morata was given his chance to lead the attack and needed to put a good case forward if he was to make himself a regular feature in the squad, with Diego Costa a consistent figure and Paco Alcacer having grabbed his opportunities with goals this season. Morata didn't really do that; his movement wasn't great, he was too slow around the penalty area and couldn't make the most of any space afforded to him in possession.

Post-Match Reaction

"

Isco: "There's still a lot of rotations in Spain NT and all I want to show that I can be a part of it"

— Real Madrid Info (@RmadridInfo) November 18, 2014"

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Del Bosque: "We're in a period of transition but obviously disappointed with tonight's result"

— AS English (@English_AS) November 18, 2014"

"

An historic 2014 for Germany ends by handing Spain their first home defeat in 8 years. #GER

— Bundesliga Spotlight (@BundesligaSpot) November 18, 2014"

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