New Delhi: Spain will take on host Germany in the first quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2024 in Mercedes-Benz-Arena, Stuttgart (Friday, July 5th). Both teams are unbeaten in the competition so far.
Spain have performed exceptionally in Euro 2024. They have achieved a feat not seen since 2008. They are the only nation who have won all four of thir matches. Their latest victory, a 4-1 win over Georgia in the last 16, was the first time they conceded a goal in this tournament.
Spain held their nerves after being stunned in the 18th minute by an inadvertent own goal from Robin Le Normand, the only goal they have conceded so far in the tournament. Before half-time, though, Rodri ensured that Spain went with a levelling goal to their name. By the second half, they had outwitted the Georgian outfit.
Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo ensured the scoresheet showed the Spanish domination. Without counting the penalty shootouts, this extends their unbeaten streak to ten games at the European Championship. From their last five Euro appearances, they will now make their fourth quarter-final appearance.
Hosts Germany come into the quarter-final on the back of a good campaign. They played well against Denmark, winning 2-0 in the round of 16. Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala scored both goals in the second half of the game. Musiala is now one of the four players joint at the top of the Euro 2024 scoring charts with three goals.
Germany will be making its fifth Euro quarter-final appearance. They have scored third most goals with ten goals, conceding only twice. They have the highest averag possession with 62%, most attempts on goal and most attacks.
Team News
Spanish manager Luis De la Fuente is unlikely to change his starting lineup for the game on Friday. So, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will join captain Alvaro Morata in a three-man attack.
Though Olmo and Mikel Merino are trying to feature in the centre-midfield, it is expected that Pedri will continue in the first XI alongside Rodri and Fabian Ruiz. Nacho Fernandez has recovered from a minor foot injury and will be available for selection. He is not expected to replace Le Normand or Aymeric Laporte in central defence. Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella will continue as full-backs.
In the German camp, Julian Nagelsmann may slightly change the opening lineup. He may recall Jonathan Tah after serving his suspension in the last 16 to replace Nico Schlotterbeck.
Left-back Maximilian Mittelstadt was dropped against Denmark, but he will try to make a comeback in the starting XI ahead of David Raum. Florian Wirtz, too, may return on the left side of the attack to replace Leroy Sane. It will allow Musiala to move over to the right. The central striker will be Kai Havertz, while the midfield will feature Toni Kroos, Robert Andrich and Ilkay Gundogan
Head to Head
Germany have won nine games and lost eight times to Spain. The two sides have played nine draws. Each side have won the European Championship thrice. Though Spain have beaten Die Mannschaft convincingly on many occasions, they have failed to beat the host nation in the knockout rounds of a Euros or World Cup. Germany are also unbeaten in their last games against Spain on their home soil. Another stat that favours Germany is the fact that no host nation has ever been eliminated from the quarter-final stage of a European Championship.
Predicted lineup
Spain: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Kroos, Andrich; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz
When, where and how to watch the Spain vs Germany match in India?
The Spain vs Germany UEFA Euro 2024 match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 will be available on SonyLIV app and website. The action begins at 9:30 pm IST tonight.
Both Spain and hosts Germany are looking to win their fourth UEFA Euro championship as the two teams meet for the first quarter-finals of the tournament. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
