Germany achieved a valuable draw against Spain, 1-1, on Sunday, to complicate the accounts of Group E before the last round of its matches.
Substitute Niklas Volkrug’s goal from close range near the end of the second half earned Germany a draw, keeping the competition in the group wide open.
Alvaro Morata outperformed his marker to deflect the ball into the net of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from close range, after a low cross from Jordi Alba in the 62nd minute, to put the Spanish team in front.
But Volkrug equalized in the 83rd minute with a powerful shot from inside the penalty area.
Spain leads the standings with four points and only needs a draw with Japan in its last match to guarantee qualification, while a victory for the Spanish team will ensure its qualification at the top of the group.
Germany, who lost 2-1 to Japan in their opening match, are bottom of the standings with one point.
The Manshafts need to beat Costa Rica on Thursday, and wait for Japan to lose.
And if Japan tied, it would depend on the goal difference, or the goals scored by Germany and Japan.
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