Two top European football teams, Spain and Germany, will clash in a highly anticipated quarter-final match at the MHPArena in Stuttgart on Friday evening. Both teams aim to win their fourth European Championship title, a feat no other team has achieved. The winner of this match will go on to face either Portugal or France in the semi-finals.
Spain has been impressive throughout the tournament, winning all three group games for the first time since 2008 and maintaining a perfect record after defeating Georgia 4-1 in the last 16.
Despite conceding an early own goal by Robin Le Normand, Spain quickly recovered with goals from Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo. This victory extended Spain's unbeaten run in the European Championship to 10 matches, excluding penalty shootouts.
Luis de la Fuente’s young and dynamic Spanish team has reached the quarter-finals for the fourth time in their last five Euro appearances. Germany’s Joshua Kimmich even remarked that Spain has been the most impressive team in the tournament so far.
Spain is ranked eighth in the world by FIFA and has not lost to Germany in their last six competitive meetings, including a 1-1 draw in the 2022 World Cup group stage. Notable past victories include Spain's 1-0 win in the Euro 2008 final and a 6-0 triumph in the 2020 UEFA Nations League.
However, Spain has never beaten a host nation in the knockout rounds of a Euros or World Cup, failing to win any of their last nine such matches since 1934. On the other hand, Germany, aiming for their first European Championship title since 1996, defeated Denmark 2-0 in the round of 16.
The match was marked by a first-half thunderstorm and VAR controversies, but second-half goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala secured Germany's victory. Musiala is now among the top scorers of Euro 2024 with three goals.
Germany, under coach Julian Nagelsmann, has progressed to the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the first time since Euro 2016. They have impressive statistics, ranking in the top three for goals scored, attacks, attempts on goal, average possession, and goals conceded. With strong support from the home crowd, Germany is a formidable opponent.
Despite their recent struggles, Germany is unbeaten in their last eight home games against Spain, with five wins and three draws. They are optimistic about their chances, as no host nation has ever been eliminated in the quarter-finals of a European Championship.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, is likely to stick with the same starting lineup for Friday's match. The young talent Lamine Yamal, just 16 years old, and Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams will join captain Alvaro Morata in a three-man attack.Both Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino are vying for a starting spot in the midfield, potentially taking Pedri's place. However, Pedri is still expected to start alongside Rodri and Fabian Ruiz.
Nacho Fernandez has recovered from a minor foot injury and is available, but he will probably not replace either Robin Le Normand or Aymeric Laporte in central defense. Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella are expected to continue as full-backs.
For Germany, coach Julian Nagelsmann may make some changes to his starting lineup. He might consider bringing back center-back Jonathan Tah, who missed the last match due to suspension, to replace Nico Schlotterbeck.
Left-back Maximilian Mittelstadt, who was dropped for the game against Denmark, will be eager to reclaim his spot from David Raum. Additionally, Florian Wirtz could replace Leroy Sane on the left side of the attack, which would move Jamal Musiala to the right.
Despite scoring an equalizer against Spain in their 1-1 draw at the 2022 World Cup, Niclas Fullkrug is not expected to start over Kai Havertz as the central striker. The midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Robert Andrich, and Ilkay Gundogan is also likely to remain unchanged.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Spain possible starting lineup:Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Germany possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Kroos, Andrich; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Spain 1-2 Germany
Given how evenly matched these teams are, it wouldn’t be surprising if the game extends beyond the regular 90 minutes.
