Page 2 - Spain 6-0 Germany: 5 Talking Points as 'Die Mannschaft' succumb to record defeat

Spain 6-0 Germany: 5 Talking Points as 'Die Mannschaft' succumb to record defeat | UEFA Nations League 2020-21

Modified Nov 18, 2020 05:28 GMT

#3 Fabian was the Super-sub for Spain

In the 12th minute of the game, much before the onslaught had even started, Sergio Canales was taken off due to injury. In came Fabian Ruiz Pena, and the rest as they say, is history.

The Napoli midfielder notched three assists, two of which were well-taken corner kicks. The third one was a measured pass past a hapless German defence, which set the ball on a platter for an on-rushing Ferran Torres to complete his treble.

Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and even Ancelotti's Everton are showing interest in the 24-year-old in recent times. With this performance, Fabian is a real contender for a starting midfield spot heading into the Nations League finals and Euros.

#2 Ferran Torres was clearly Man of the Match

"We've got Torres, Ferran Torres, I just don't think you understand, He's Pep's new boy, He's better than Leroy, We've got Ferran Torres!"

That is the chant Manchester City fans have lined up for their new recruit from Valencia. And seeing the 22-year old put in a perfect performance to dismantle Germany in a must-win game, Pep Guardiola and that lot in Manchester can certainly be hopeful of more to come.

Torres scored all three goals from open play which is quite an achievement. The right winger missed a couple of decent chances in the first half, and in hindsight, could have put Spain in seventh heaven of sorts. But he clearly made amends in the second half, especially as the third goal was one for the ages.

Overall, this was his best night in Spain colours, and he was a major factor in a convincing victory in Seville.

#1 Could Germany's Lack of Intent be Traced back to Joachim Low's Decisions?

After the 2018 World Cup failure, Joachim Low prematurely took a call to axe Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels from Die Mannschaft, a decision that didn't go well with many in the country.

Fast forward two years, and Germany's downward surge just seems to be going on and on. While some younger players like Timo Werner, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry have upped their game, the results for the team as a whole does not present a pretty picture.

Germany were nearly relegated from the Nations League last year, until a re-organisation in competition structure saved them. Even this time around, they looked a pale shadow of the 'World Champion' team they once were.

On the night, they failed to get a single shot on target, and let Spain play a mammoth 812 passes at 93% accuracy rate, letting the hosts assert their dominance and run riot.

While Joachim Low now has too many loopholes to plug after an embarrassing defeat, it would also be interesting to see how players returning to their clubs cope with this record mauling.

Edited by Ashwin