Euro 2024: Host nation Germany takes on Spain in quarterfinal clash.
Spain and Germany face off in a tantalizing quarterfinal clash, where La Roja's quest for European glory encounters the formidable host nation determined to make history on home soil.
Spain
Three-time European champions Spain overcame a jittery spell before rallying to a 4-1 win over an initially brave Georgia. Spain started on the front foot, perhaps with too much intensity, before being stunned by a counterattack that resulted in an own goal by Robin Le Normand after a desperate attempt to prevent Kvaratskhelia from reaching a cross.
However, a fabulous goal from Rodri leveled the score before additional goals flipped the game on its head. Dani Olmo provided Spain’s fourth and final goal, leaving Spain on a collision course with host nation Germany in the quarterfinals.
This will be the fourth encounter between the two sides on European soil. Spain have won twice in the last three encounters, with the most recent being a 1-0 win in the tournament’s 2008 final, where Fernando Torres scored the only goal at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna.
La Roja will be hoping for a repeat of that outcome, perhaps with a more comfortable margin this time. In a game full of plots and subplots, Joselu appears to be taking center stage, even sharing goal-scoring secrets as he prepares to face Manuel Neuer, whom he scored against twice in the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
'We're aiming for the trophy, and even though it's been a pleasure playing with Toni Kroos, I'd still like to 'retire' him on Friday,' Joselu said in a pre-match press conference. However, Álvaro Morata is expected to lead Spain’s attack when Luis de la Fuente deploys the 4-3-3, with Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on either side of Morata.
Germany
Meanwhile, Germany is aiming to avoid being the first host nation to face elimination in the quarterfinals of a European Championship. They advanced to the round-of-eight following a 2-0 victory over Denmark.
Toni Kroos emphasized the importance of midfield dominance, stating, "I have always had the opinion that matches like this will be won in the centre of the pitch." This might be Kroos's last international appearance as he aims to deny Joselu his wish.
This match marks the first encounter between Germany and Spain since the 2022 World Cup. Fans might see Germany play in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Kai Havertz leading the attack.
Florian Wirtz is expected to return to the starting lineup after Leroy Sane's less-than-impressive performance. The 21-year-old Wirtz is set to link up with skipper Ilkay Gündogan and Jamal Musiala in the attacking midfield.
Team form
Showing the latest five games—giving you a quick look at recent performance trends. Teams in good form tend to do well in the next match.
Team Comparison
Side-by-side assessment of team statistics, including goals, attacks, and more. This allows you to directly compare key performance metrics. Analyzing these stats can reveal patterns and strengths that might influence the outcome.