World Cup: Germany vs. Spain: All tied at 0-0 after 15 minutes

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The match has gotten off to the sort of start that was expected.

Spain is maintaining possession and stroking the ball about the field with apparent ease. Germany is dropping its midfielders back to help out the defense, with the resulting strength in numbers being enough to snuff out the probing Spanish forwards.

The only real scoring chances in the first 15 minutes have both fallen to Spain.

David Villa, the tournament’s co-scoring leader with the Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder, collected a through ball from teammate Pedro and blasted a shot that German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer blocked.

Later, Carles Puyol launched a diving header over the bar off a cross from Andres Iniesta.

Two somewhat close calls for Germany, but the team in black and white looks unconcerned.

After 15 minutes, it’s 0-0.

-- Grahame L. Jones in Johannesburg, South Africa