Toni Kroos made the difference in Vigo on Tuesday night as Germany secured a 1-0 victory over Spain.
Fringe players were given the chance to impress for both sides as Vicente del Bosque and Joachim Low made changes after their respective efforts in Euro 2016 qualifying a few days ago.
A goalless draw looked to be an inevitability until the 89th minute as Kroos earned the win for the visitors with a powerful strike from 25 yards.
Read below to find out how events unfolded.
Good evening everyone. Tonight's match may only be a friendly, but there's not many games in the world which can get football fans as excited as this one does. Spain host Germany in Vigo tonight, and Sports Mole will bring you minute-by-minute updates of the match.
The past two winners of the World Cup face off tonight, but the pressure is likely to be on the fringe players to make in impression. Key members of both squads are missing for this game. However, the talent on show will be of the highest class.
Both teams head into this match on the back of victories. Spain were comfortable in a 3-0 win over Belarus, while Germany barely needed to move out of second gear to record a 4-0 triumph over Gibraltar. Despite scoring four times on Friday, supporters in Nuremberg were far from happy with Joachim Low's side. Can they produce an improved display tonight?
SPAIN: Casillas, Azpilicueta, Pique, Ramos, Bernat; Raul Garcia, Busquets, Bruno, Isco; Morata, Nolito
GERMANY: Zieler; Howedes, Mustafi, Rudiger; Rudy, Kroos, Khedira, Durm; Muller, Volland, Gotze
As expected, there's a slightly different look to both sides for tonight's game. David de Gea's injury means that Iker Casillas keeps his place in goal behind a very strong back four. Villarreal's Bruno starts in midfield, while Alvaro Morata and Nolito are handed chances to impress up front.
For Germany, a rare night off for Manuel Neuer allows Ron-Robert Zieler to win just his fourth cap. Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller remain in the team, while Kevin Volland is preferred to Max Kruse in attack.
Plenty of changes from both managers, but the world-class talent is there for everyone to see. One particular area of interest will be in defence for Germany as the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Benedikt Howedes look to prove their worth in the absence of Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng.
PREDICTION: When managers make so many changes, it can be difficult to predict what is coming, but it looks like each team will look to attack tonight. It's difficult to separate the two teams, but I'm going for a 2-1 win for Germany tonight.
The players are on their way out of the tunnel in Vigo. This game is surely the standout fixture of tonight's action, but can they deliver a thriller? The last time these two sides met was in 2010 when Carles Puyol headed Spain to victory in the World Cup semi-final.
Here we go then. It will be Spain who get the match underway against the world champions.
Very little to report in the opening couple of minutes as both sides look to find their passing rhythm. Midfield will surely be the crucial area tonight. Can the likes of Busquets and Bruno keep Kroos quiet?
Spain are dominating possession early on. Isco is looking to drift in from the wing to get involved. That will surely be a common theme tonight. Germany are defending well at the moment.
Despite spending the majority of the opening minutes chasing the ball, it's Germany who create the first opportunity when a Muller delivers a cross to Volland, whose weak header is easily saved by Casillas. Nothing more than a half-chance for the visitors.
Promising play from Spain as both Azpilicueta and Bernat storm forward from the back, but their respective crosses are poor as Germany clear the danger. It's been a good start from the German defence.
It doesn't seem to matter who is selected, Spain always look comfortable in possession. They're seeing plenty of the ball, but it's too narrow from the hosts at the moment. Azpilicueta and Bernat need to get forward even more often.
Still no big chances for either side as another Spain attack breaks down on the edge of the box. Kroos and Khedira are doing a very good job of limiting the space on offer to their rivals in midfield.
SAVE! Brilliant from Celta Vigo striker Nolito, who has been cheered every time he's touched the ball. He loses Rudiger on the edge of the box with a clever turn, before forcing Zieler into a good save with his curled effort.
Nolito really has been impressive early on. He's willing to run into the channels, but he's linked up with the Spanish midfield on a number of occasions, too. Germany continue to battle away in defence and midfield as they look to work on the counter attack.
Muller has spent the last couple of minutes on the sidelines after colliding with Ramos, but he looks fine to continue. Low and Bayern boss Pep Guardiola will be relieved to see the forward back on the pitch.
Azpilicueta sprints into space on the right wing, before pulling the ball back for Garcia, whose low effort is deflected into the safe hands of Zieler. Good football from Spain, and Azpilicueta in particular.
SAVE! Excellent from the world champions as they threaten after enjoying an extended spell of possession. Gotze times his run perfectly to meet a brilliant chipped pass from Muller, but the attacking midfielder's firm volley is stopped by Casillas. Superb from the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
SUBSTITUTION: Despite that excellent pass a few moments ago, Muller has been struggling to move freely since hurting himself earlier in the game. Low decides not to risk keeping the forward on the pitch for any longer. Karim Bellarabi is on as his replacement.
Bayern supporters will be hoping Muller's injury isn't too serious, but it's a big blow for Germany in this match. The pressure is on Bellarabi to deliver an impressive display after struggling against Gibraltar last Friday.
It's all too easy for Bernat as he rolls the ball across the box to Isco, who wastes a good chance as he fires a shot over the crossbar. He really should have tested Zieler. Poor from a player who has been in excellent form recently.
It has been raining for most of the day in Vigo, but it's falling very heavily now. These conditions may suit Spain as they look to move the ball quickly in midfield. Mustafi is forced off the field for a bit of treatment, but he should be fine.
Mustafi almost gifts Spain a goal with an awful header inside his own box. Fortunately for the defender, Rudiger responds quickly to clear the danger under pressure from the lively Nolito.
After surviving another spell of Spain pressure, Germany miss a chance to go ahead. A cross into the box is half-cleared by the hosts to Rudy, who drills his effort over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.
Much better from Germany, who have stepped up the pace of their play in the last few minutes. They must keep a closer eye on Isco, though. He's seeing a lot of the ball in the final third of the pitch. It may only be a matter of time before he makes them pay.
It's been a pretty even first half in Vigo. Spain look the more comfortable of the two sides in possession, but Germany have caused problems when they do get the ball to the likes of Gotze and Kroos further up the pitch.
The battle is taking place in midfield late in the first half. Both Khedira and Busquets have been given the task of breaking up play as often as possible. Spain win the ball back before committing players forward, but another promising attack breaks down.
Germany would be wise to get the ball to Bellarabi more often. He's looked lively on the wing since replacing Muller earlier on, and will fancy his chances of testing Bernat.
Excellent from Morata as he chases down a long ball before winning a free kick under pressure from Mustafi. Isco's delivery into the box is very good, but Raul Garcia can only head over the crossbar after finding a yard of space.
Bernat is lucky not to score an own goal when a miscued clearance loops just over the crossbar. Gotze takes the corner which follows, and Rudiger becomes the latest player to go close by heading over from the penalty spot.
HALF TIME: SPAIN 0-0 GERMANY
No goals in the first half in Vigo, but both sides had chances to break the deadlock. A lack of quality in the final third has been the most disappointing factor so far. The passing, however, has been a joy to watch, which is what you would expect with Isco, Kroos and Gotze on the pitch.
Plenty of talent on the bench for both sides. Apart from Azpilicueta and Bernat, very few Spain players have been eager to drift out wide. Pedro is on the bench, and it wouldn't be a surprise if Del Bosque brought him on soon. Paco Alcacer, Jose Callejon and Koke are other options.
Germany dominated matches on their way to winning the World Cup in the summer, but their approach has been very different tonight. They've defended very narrowly, and are looking to cause problems by getting the ball out wide on the break. Spain have handled the threat well so far.
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
The teams are back out on the pitch. Germany will get the game back underway.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Del Bosque made two changes at the break, with Raul Albiol, Marc Bartra and Ignacio Camacho coming off the bench to replace Pique, Busquets and Ramos.
Morata looks to make an impact with his first touch of the second half as he skips past a challenge on the edge of the box before hitting a tame effort straight at Zieler.
Poor crosses have dominated the opening exchanges in the second half as both Khedira and Raul Garcia waste the opportunity to pick out their teammates in the box. It's been scrappy since the break.
Germany are pressing now as Volland finds space before seeing a shot blocked. The visitors recycle the ball well, and Rudy delivers a brilliant cross which deserves a finishing touch. However, no German takes the risk inside the box.
Low will be very happy with what he has seen since the interval. Germany look sharper now, and Spain are struggling to match their rivals in midfield.
Frustration has crept in for Spain as both Isco and Camacho test the referee's patience with a couple of late challenges. The hosts are forced to clear a couple of corners from Kroos as Germany continue to improve going forward.
A decent chance falls to Rudiger inside the box, but he can only volley wide of the target after Spain twice fail to clear a dangerous ball from Kroos. Can Spain keep out the world champions?
Brilliant defending from Howedes, who makes up a lot of ground to dispossess Morata just as the Juventus forward was about to unleash a shot from just inside the box. That could prove to be a big moment.
SAVE! Nolito wins a free kick on the edge of the box, and it's the Celta forward who steps up with a powerful strike which forces Zieler into a superb save.
Just as it looked like Germany were taking control, it's Spain who are beginning to look threatening again. The hosts win a couple of corners, but both are cleared as Germany survive an extended spell on the back foot.
YELLOW CARD! Referees are usually eager to keep their cards in the pocket in friendlies, but Raul Garcia can't argue with the decision as he picks up a caution for pulling down Bellarabi as he looked to launch an attack.
Isco proves what he can do from a set-piece again as he delivers an excellent free kick to the back post, but Raul Albiol is unable to force his header towards the bottom corner under pressure from a couple of German defenders. One goal could be enough to secure victory tonight.
Very good from Bartra, who refuses to give any space to Gotze after a long ball forward from Durm. Bartra sticks with Gotze and eventually wins the ball back for the hosts. There's been some impressive defending on show tonight.
SUBSTITUTION: Del Bosque decides it's time for another change as Callejon comes on for Raul Garcia, who has struggled to make an impact in midfield.
Kroos plays another superb pass into the path of Volland, whose cross into the box needs pushing to safety from Casillas. Spain break forward quickly, but a promising attack comes to nothing as Nolito's delivery is cleared away.
Morata drops deeper to collect the ball and he's gifted plenty of space by the visitors. However, he can only send a wayward effort over the crossbar from 30 yards out.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Del Bosque makes two more changes as Francisco Casilla replaces Casillas and Pedro comes on for Nolito, who has been one of Spain's brightest players tonight.
SAVE! Casilla is almost left embarrassed after coming on just a few moments ago. Volland strikes a powerful effort at goal from 30 yards, and the Spanish shot-stopper is forced to push the ball away. he looked far from comfortable there.
In truth, Volland's effort is the closest we've come to a goal in the second half. Both sides have threatened to take control, but the lack of cutting edge shown in the final third of the pitch has been disappointing.
SAVE! The best piece of attacking play in the second half forces Zieler into a great save. Isco loses a couple of Germans with a clever turn before picking out Pedro, whose chipped effort looks destined to break the deadlock until Zieler gets a crucial hand on the ball.
SUBSTITUTION: Gotze has faded as the game has progressed and he now makes way for Max Kruse, who will join Volland in attack.
Regular fouls are disrupting the rhythm late on in Vigo as both sides struggle to keep the pressure on for an extended period. Will there be a late twist?
GOAL! SPAIN 0-1 GERMANY (KROOS)
Germany have surely just secured the victory! It's a stunning strike from Kroos, who uses the space gifted to him from 25 yards by firing a low shot past a helpless Casilla. Brilliant from the Real Madrid midfielder.
SUBSTITUTION: Low takes an opportunity to bring Lars Bender on to replace Khedira. Just one more minute of added time to be played.
FULL TIME: SPAIN 0-1 GERMANY
It's all over in Vigo. A surprising lack of quality in the final third of the pitch meant this game was goalless for 88 minutes, but Kroos produced a brilliant strike late on to hand the win to Germany. Spain fail to avoid defeat against the world champions as Low's side pick up an impressive win.
That's all from our live coverage tonight. I hope you've enjoyed following the game with Sports Mole. Goodnight.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
