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Germany beats Spain 1-0, breaks home unbeaten run

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Update: 2014-11-18 22:53:00
Germany beats Spain 1-0, breaks home unbeaten run

DHAKA: A late goal by Toni Kroos gave Germany a 1-0 win over Spain in a friendly on Tuesday that broke the hosts' run of 34 games without a loss at home.

The Real Madrid midfielder unleashed a long-distance strike in the 89th minute that skipped off the wet grass at Balaidos Stadium and over substitute goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, marring his international debut, reports the USA Today.

Spain's first loss at home since a defeat to Romania in 2006 came a month after it also lost its first qualifier in eight years in a 2-1 loss at Slovakia.

So despite also giving international debuts to Alvaro Morata, Manuel "Nolito" Agudo, Ignacio Camacho and Jose Callejon, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque's rebuilding project from a disappointing World Cup has suffered another setback.

"We know that we are in a transition period and we are looking forward with optimism, although today we aren't completely happy," said Del Bosque. "The game was evenly matched. Either team could have won and Kroos' goal was the difference."

A spate of injuries had left Germany manager Joachim Loew with only three starters from the side that thrashed Brazil 7-1 in the World Cup semifinals, on its way to lifting the trophy. That became two when Thomas Mueller hurt his back in the 22nd minute.

The match between the last two world champions was marked by heavy rain that soaked the pitch, and yet another injury to Germany's squad when Mueller asked to be substituted after he tried to play through a knock on his back from Sergio Ramos.

While Germany was without Manuel Neuer, Marco Reus and Bastian Schweinsteiger, among others, Spain's list of injured players included Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, and David Silva.

This was the first time the two powerhouses had met since Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup en route to winning the title. Spain also beat Germany 1-0 in the final of the 2008 European Championship.

Spain dictated the pace throughout most of the match, and Del Bosque got promising performances from all his newcomers, along with youngster Francisco "Isco" Alarcon and Marc Bartra.

But Kroos' goal left Spain with its third loss since the World Cup.

Germany forward Mario Goetze had the first half's best chance in the 21st after Mueller set him up, only for starting goalie Iker Casillas to make a one-handed save.

Late substitute Pedro Rodriguez helped produce Spain's best opportunity when he stole the ball from Kroos before rushing forward to fire Isco's pass into the gloves of goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler.

Spain will have a long winter to ponder the defeat with its next match scheduled for March.

BDST: 0953 HRS, NOV 19, 2014

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