Spain Manager Luis Enrique Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Daughter After Germany Draw

Spain Manager Luis Enrique Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Daughter After Germany Draw

Lukman Mumuni
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
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  • Spain coach Luis Enrique has celebrated his late daughter Xana on her 13th birthday during the World Cup in Qatar
  • The 52-year-old led Spain to an entertaining draw against Germany in their second Group E game on Sunday
  • Xana passed away painfully at the age of nine in 2019 after losing her battle with cancer

Luis Enrique has paid a glowing tribute to his late daughter on her 13th birthday after Spain were held to a 1-1 draw in their second World Cup group game against Germany.

The former Barcelona manager lost his daughter tragically in 2019 after she lost her battle with cancer.

After the game against Germany, Enrique took to social media to celebrate what would have been his daughter's 13th birthday.

Luis Enrique, Spain, Germany, World Cup
Luis Enrique has paid tribute to his late daughter during the game between Spain and Germany. Credit: @senyuiedzorm @Images_Image @FCBarcelona
Source: Twitter
“Today is a special day. Not only because we play Germany, but also because my daughter Xana would be turning 13 years old. My love, wherever you are, we love you. We miss you," he wrote on Instagram.

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Enrique's Spain is on the brink of advancing to the second round at the 2022 FIFA World Cup after the draw against Germany.

Second half substitute Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Spain before Germany levelled late in the game through Niclas Fullkrug.

Spain got off to a great start in the global showpiece after thrashing Costa Rica in their group opener 7-0. The 2010 world champions sit top of Group E with four points.

Spain held by Germany

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Niclas Fullkrug's late equaliser snatched Germany a morale-boosting 1-1 draw with Spain in a heavyweight World Cup clash on Sunday, leaving both sides' hopes of qualifying for the last 16 still in the balance.

Alvaro Morata's flicked finish had Spain on course to secure qualification from Group E, but the electric Jamal Musiala and Fullkrug combined to foil La Roja and restore some German pride.

Costa Rica's surprise win over Japan earlier eased some pressure on Germany after their shock loss to the Asian side, but they were unable to capitalize for large periods in a battle for the ball against Spain.

Authors
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Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.
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