International Head-to-Head –Part Ten, Germany and Spain (with a video Interview with Spanish Economist and member of CIHEFE, Carles Lozano)

 

The World Cup is nearly here with Germany facing Spain in the First Round. This will be the fifth time the sides will have met in a World Cup setting.

 

In anticipation, or this Blog Presentation with an interview, I look back at the past encounters between the Nations.

The Interview will be as a video link companion, while the Blog will be a presentation of the events.

 

The Interviewee is:

Mr. Carles Lozano.

 

Mr. Lozano is a Spanish economist and former Catalan City Councilor. He is also a member of CIHEFE (El Centro de Investigaciones de Historia y Estadística del Fútbol Español), Spanish Center of Investigation Of Futbol History.

 

Mr. Lozano’s contact info:

Twitter: @carleslozano

 

 

My contact information:

on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

1930s and 1940s

The first matches between the nations took place at a turbulent time in Europe’s History. Just prior to the War and during the Second World War itself.

The very first match was in Köln on May 12, 1935, and Spain won (2-1). The sides met in the following year at Barcelona (February 23, 1936). This time the Germans won (2-1).

The sides met at Berlin at the height of the War on April 12, 1942. This was a German side strengthened with Austrians. The match ended (1-1).

 

Photo From: Special Thanks to Josele Carbonell

(May 12, 1935, Germany 1-Spain)

Photo From: Special Thanks to Josele Carbonell

(February 23, 1936, Spain 1-Germany 2)

Photo From: Die Geschichte der Fussball Nationalmanschaft, Author: Dietrich Schulze-Marmeling (Hrsg)

(April 12, 1942, Germany 1-Spain 1)

Photo From: Österreichs Fußball Länderspiele Chronik 1902 – 1993, Author: Anton Egger

(April 12, 1942, Germany 1-Spain 1)

 

1950s and 1960s

The sides would meet three times in the first two decades of the post-war. By now, West Germany was a power in World Football.

On December 28, 1952, the Nations met at Madrid (2-2 tie). Later in the decade, on March 19, 1958, at Frankfurt, West Germany won (2-0). This was the first ever home win in the series.

The first competitive match between the Nations was during the Group Round in the 1966 World Cup. The sides met for the first time in a neutral venue at Birmingham, England. West Germany won (2-1) with a memorable closed angle volleyed goal by Lothar Emmerich.

Photo From: Special Thanks to Josele Carbonell

(December 28, 1952, Spain 2-West Germany 2)

Photo From: World Soccer, February 1970

(July 20, 1966, World Cup, West Germany 2-Spain 1)

 

1970s

By this decade, West Germany were established as a World Football power and had already won the World Cup once (1954) and reached a Final (1966).

During the entire decade the sides would be managed by Ladislao Kubala (for Spain) and Helmut Schoen (for West Germany, in charge until 1978).

The Nations faced one another five times in this decade (3 friendlies and two Euros matches).

On February 11, 1970, at Sevilla, Spain won (2-0) through a double strike by Arrieta. This was Spain’s first win since the initial 1935 match.

As part of the 1974 World Cup preparations as host, West Germany played two matches vs. Spain within months.

On November 24, 1973, at Stuttgart, West Germany earned a (2-1) win with a double strike from Jupp Heynckes.

On February 23, 1974, at Barcelona, Spain would win won (1-0).

The sides would meet one another on home and away Quarterfinal series for the 1976 UEFA European Championships. On April 24, 1976, at Madrid, the sides tied (1-1).

On May 22, 1976, at Munich, West Germany defeated Spain (2-0) and advanced to the Final phase of the Euros.

 

Photo From: Special Thanks to Josele Carbonell

(February 11, 1970, Spain 2-West Germany 0)

Photo From: AS Color, Issue 132, November 27, 1973

(November 24, 1973, West Germany 2-Spain 1)

Photo From: AS Color, Issue 258, April 27, 1976

(April 24, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Spain 1-West Germany 1)

Photo From: AS Color, Issue 262, May 25, 1976

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, West Germany 2-Spain 0)

Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Issue 6, September October 1977

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, West Germany 2-Spain 0)

 

1980s

The sides faced each other four times in the decade in mostly competitive matches (bar one friendly in 1986).

During the 1982 World Cup, hosted by Spain, the sides met in a Second Round Group phase match in Madrid on July 2, 1982. A disappointing Spain lost (1-2) on home soil and were virtually eliminated that day.

Two years later, on June 20, 1984, Spain defeated West Germany (1-0) in an upset win at Paris during the 1984 Euros. Antonio Maceda’s memorable header eliminated West Germany.

On October 15, 1986, in a friendly in Hannover, the sides met in a (2-2) tie.

The sides met once more in a Group phase match of the 1988 Euros, hosted by West Germany. On June 17, 1988, at Munich, Rudi Völler scored twice in a (2-0) West German win. This was the last match between the Nations with West Germany as the Nation would be re-unified with the Eastern part two years later.

Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 15, July 1982

(July 2, 1982, World Cup, Spain, Spain 1-West Germany 2)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 79, July 1982

(July 2, 1982, World Cup, Spain, Spain 1-West Germany 2)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1994, June 26, 1984

(June 20, 1984, UEFA European Championship, France, West Germany 0-Spain 1)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 52, July 1984

(June 20, 1984, UEFA European Championship, France, West Germany 0-Spain 1)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 52, July 1984

(June 20, 1984, UEFA European Championship, France, West Germany 0-Spain 1)

Photo From: Special Thanks to Josele Carbonell

(October 15, 1986, West Germany 2-Spain 2)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2202, June 21, 1988

(June 17, 1988, UEFA European Championship, West Germany 2-Spain 0)

 

1990s

Surprisingly the sides only met twice during the entire decade. The sides met for the third time in a World Cup on June 21, 1994, at Chicago in the United States. The match ended as a (1-1) tie that was beneficial to both sides. The match is remembered for Juan Goicoechea’s excellent cross/goal.

Months later, on February 22, 1995, the sides met in a friendly at Jerez de la Frontera. The match ended scoreless for the first (and only time) in the series.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2516, June 28, 1994

(June 21, 1994, World Cup, Germany 1-Spain 1)

Photo From: Special Thanks to Josele Carbonell

(February 22, 1995, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain 0-Germany 0)

 

2000s

The sides met three times during this decade. The first two matches were friendlies, while the third was the Final of the 2008 Euros.

On August 16, 2000, for Rudi Völler’s very first match in charge of Germany at Hannover, Germany won (4-1). Mehmet Scholl and Alexander Zickler scored doubles with Raul replying for Spain.

Raul would score twice in the next match between the Nations on February 12, 2003, at Mallorca (Spain won (3-1)). This was Spain’s first win since the 1984 Euros.

On June 29, 2008, Spain defeated Germany (1-0) in the Final of the Euros with Fernando Torres’ strike.

This was Spain’s first International title since the 1964 Euros.

This was the reference point for the rebirth of Spain as a force at International level.

 

Photo From: Special Thanks to Josele Carbonell

(August 16, 2000, Germany 4-Spain 1)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 234, July 2008

(June 29, 2008, UEFA European Championship, Spain 1-Germany 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 234, July 2008

(June 29, 2008, UEFA European Championship, Spain 1-Germany 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 234, July 2008

(June 29, 2008, UEFA European Championship, Spain 1-Germany 0)

2010s and 2020s

Two years later, the sides met again, this time in a World Cup semifinal. On July 7, 2010, at Durban in South Africa, Spain won (1-0) to advance to the Final of the World Cup (and win it for the first time).

The sides met in a friendly at Vigo on November 17, 2014. Germany won (1-0) with a Toni Kroos strike. This was Spain’s first home loss to Germany since the 1982 World Cup.

On March 23, 2018, the sides met at Düsseldorf. The match ended as a (1-1) tie. The first tied match since 1995.

In the year 2020, the sides met twice as part of the UEFA Nations League. The matches were played in empty stadiums due to the Coronavirus Lockdown.

The first match on September 3, 2020, at Stuttgart ended as a (1-1) tie.

The next match on November 17, 2020, at Sevilla, saw Spain inflict a (6-0) win over Germany with Ferrán Torres scoring a hat-trick. This was one of the heaviest defeats suffered by Germany.

 

Photo From: France Football, Issue 3352bis, July 9, 2010

(July 7, 2010, World Cup, Spain 1-Germany 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 258, July 2010

(July 7, 2010, World Cup, Spain 1-Germany 0)

Photo From: L’Equipe, Year 75, No. 24144, Friday September 4, 2020

(September 3, 2020, 2020-21 UEFA Nations League, Germany 1-Spain 1)

Conclusion

On balance, the sides appear to be relatively equal in terms on wins and goals scored.

For most of the post-War era, Germany (West) had the edge and were one of the top sides in the World.

This changed from 2008 onwards, as Spain became a Force in World Football.

As far as the most memorable matches, the 1984 Euros match ranks as one of the most dramatic ones.

In terms of importance, the 2008 Euros Final and the 2010 World Cup semifinal are the most significant matches between the Nations.

In a way these two matches also signaled a power shift.

The recent (6-0) could be disregarded an anomaly. It was played during the Covid Lockdown era and was not a true indication of either side’s worth.

 

Note:

1-Please refer to the video link at the top of this blog upload for the interview.