Two European juggernauts seeking to win an unprecedented fourth European Championship title do battle at the MHPArena in Stuttgart on Friday evening, as Spain lock horns with Euro 2024 hosts Germany in the quarter-finals. The victors of this eagerly-anticipated contest will face the winners of the last-eight tie between Portugal and France in the semi-finals.
Match Preview
After winning all three group games at a European Championship for the first time since 2008, Spain remain the only nation at Euro 2024 who boast a perfect record from four matches. They achieved this by coming from behind to beat Georgia 4-1 in the last 16 on Sunday. Spain were stunned in the 18th minute when Robin Le Normand inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net to put Georgia ahead - the first goal that La Roja have conceded at Euro 2024. However, Rodri restored parity on the stroke of half-time, before Spain went on to outclass a courageous Georgia outfit in the second half.
Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo were all on the scoresheet to complete the turnaround in prolific fashion and extend Spain's unbeaten run at the European Championship to 10 matches (excluding penalty shootouts). Luis de la Fuente's youthful and energetic side have dazzled their way into the quarter-finals, reaching this stage for the fourth time in their last five Euros appearances. Even Germany's Joshua Kimmich has admitted that "Spain have been the most impressive side so far" at this summer's tournament.
Ranked eighth in the world by FIFA, Spain head into Friday's blockbuster battle having not lost any of their last six competitive meetings (W3 D3) with Germany dating back to 1998, most recently playing out a 1-1 group-stage draw at the 2022 World Cup. La Roja are sure to reminisce about their 1-0 triumph over Germany in the Euro 2008 final, courtesy of a first-half strike from Fernando Torres, as well as their thumping 6-0 UEFA Nations League victory in November 2020 in which Fernando's namesake - Ferran Torres - stole the headlines with a memorable hat-trick.
However, Spain have remarkably never beaten the host nation in the knockout rounds of a Euros or World Cup, failing to win any of their last nine such matches dating all the way back to 1934.
Germany’s Form and Expectations
Hosts Germany remain on course to win their first European Championship title since 1996 after they battled past a competitive Denmark outfit to win 2-0 in the round of 16 last Saturday. On a night of high drama, interrupted by a first-half thunderstorm including a fierce series of lightning strikes, and later marred by VAR controversy, Germany prevailed courtesy of second-half goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala - the latter is now one of four players at the top of the Euro 2024 scoring charts with three goals.
After a "wild game" in Dortmund, Julian Nagelsmann claimed that his Germany players are "beginning to realise how good they really are" having now progressed to the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the first time since Euro 2016. Friday's clash with be Germany's 19th quarter-final across the World Cup (14) and Euros (five), the most of any European nation at these two major tournaments.
Germany rank in the top three for the most goals scored (10), most attacks (265), most attempts on goal (71), highest average possession (62%), and goals conceded (two) heading into the last eight of Euro 2024. With a vibrant home crowd behind them, Die Mannschaft have become a force to be reckoned with. Languishing as low as 16th in the FIFA World Rankings amid their recent woes in the pre-Nagelsmann era, Germany have won only two of their last 11 meetings with Spain in all competitions - their last was a slender 1-0 friendly victory in November 2014 thanks to an 89th-minute winner from Toni Kroos.
Germany have reason to be optimistic of success on Friday, though, as they are unbeaten in their last eight games against La Roja on home soil (W5 D3), while no host nation has ever been eliminated from the quarter-final stage of a European Championship.
Key Battles and Players to Watch
One of the most intriguing aspects of this quarter-final clash will be the battle in midfield. Spain’s Rodri, who has been in imperious form throughout the tournament, will face off against Germany’s Joshua Kimmich. Both players are known for their tactical acumen, passing range, and ability to control the tempo of the game. Their duel could very well determine which team gains the upper hand in midfield dominance.
In attack, Spain’s Dani Olmo has been a revelation, providing creativity and goals. His interplay with the likes of Fabian Ruiz and Nico Williams has been a joy to watch. On the other hand, Germany’s Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala have been pivotal in their attacking setups, with Musiala particularly standing out with his dribbling and goal-scoring prowess.
