In the group stages of the 2022 tournament, the two teams played out a tense at the Al Bayt Stadium.

: The match was a "tactical masterclass," with Spain dominating possession while Germany utilized a compact mid-block to stay competitive.

The matchup between and Germany is one of the most prestigious fixtures in international football, often described as a clash of philosophies between Spanish technical control and German tactical resilience. As of April 2026, the two nations remain heavyweights in world football, though their most recent high-stakes World Cup encounter occurred during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Most Recent World Cup Encounter (2022)

Relive the highlights of this tactical 2022 World Cup battle: