05/07/2024 – UEFA European Championship – Quarter-Final – Match 1
Venue: Stuttgart Arena
Kick-off: 5 pm
Where to watch? Live on ITV 1 – and stream via ITVX.
UEFA Euro 2024: Is Spain vs Germany on TV? kick-off, team news, predictions & where to watch
The two biggest – and arguably best – teams so far at this year’s Euros go head-to-head this afternoon to battle it out for a place in the semi-finals.
Spain have been incredibly in form during the tournament so far, whilst Germany – also in great form – have the advantage of the home crowd. The winner of this fixture will play the winner of the last-eight tie between Portugal and France in the semis.
MATCH PREVIEW
‘Spain’s perfect record at Euro 2024’
Spain’s campaign at Euro 2024 has been nothing short of spectacular. After securing victories in all three group-stage matches for the first time since 2008, La Roja remain the only team with a perfect record, advancing from the last 16 with a 4-1 triumph over Georgia on June 30.
The match saw an early scare when Spain conceded their first goal of the tournament, an unfortunate own goal by Robin Le Normand in the 18th minute. However, Rodri equalised just before halftime, setting the stage for a dominant second-half performance. Goals from Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo sealed the win, extending Spain’s unbeaten run in European Championship matches to ten, excluding penalty shootouts.
Under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s youthful and vibrant squad has dazzled their way into the quarter-finals for the fourth time in the last five Euros. Even Germany’s star Joshua Kimmich has acknowledged Spain as the most impressive team of the tournament so far.
Ranked eighth in the world, Spain now face a high-stakes quarter-final clash with Germany. La Roja hold an unbeaten record in their last six competitive encounters with Germany (W3 D3) since 1998, including a 1-1 draw in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.
Spain will draw inspiration from their historic 1-0 victory over Germany in the Euro 2008 final, courtesy of Fernando Torres, and their emphatic 6-0 win in the UEFA Nations League in November 2020, where Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick. However, a significant hurdle remains: Spain has never defeated a host nation in the knockout rounds of the Euros or World Cup, with their last nine attempts dating back to 1934 ending in disappointment.
‘Hosts amongst top scorers’
Germany, the hosts, are in pursuit of their first European Championship title since 1996. They overcame Denmark 2-0 in the round of 16 last Saturday, a match filled with drama due to a first-half thunderstorm and VAR controversies. Goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala, who is now among the tournament’s top scorers with three goals, secured their place in the quarter-finals.
Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany has shown remarkable form, advancing to their first major tournament quarter-final since Euro 2016. Friday’s match will mark Germany’s 19th quarter-final appearance across the World Cup and Euros, the most of any European nation.
Germany ranks in the top three for goals scored (10), attacks (265), attempts on goal (71), average possession (62%), and goals conceded (two) heading into the last eight. With strong support from the home crowd, Die Mannschaft have emerged as formidable contenders.
Despite recent struggles, Germany, currently 16th in the FIFA World Rankings, has a solid track record against Spain on home soil, unbeaten in their last eight home games against La Roja (W5 D3). Furthermore, no host nation has ever been eliminated at the quarter-final stage of a European Championship.
Friday’s clash promises to be a thrilling encounter as Spain’s flair meets Germany’s resilience in a battle for a semi-final spot at Euro 2024.
TEAM NEWS
Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente is likely to stick with his winning formula for this evening’s match. The starting lineup is expected to remain unchanged, featuring 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams joining captain Alvaro Morata in a dynamic three-man attack.
In the midfield, Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino are pushing for a spot, but Pedri is still expected to start alongside Rodri and Fabian Ruiz. Nacho Fernandez has recovered from a minor foot injury and is available, yet he is unlikely to replace Robin Le Normand or Aymeric Laporte in the central defence. The full-back positions should see Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella continuing their roles.
Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann might tweak his lineup once more. Centre-back Jonathan Tah, who missed the last 16 due to suspension, could return in place of Nico Schlotterbeck. Left-back Maximilian Mittelstadt, dropped against Denmark, will be vying to reclaim his spot from David Raum. Additionally, Florian Wirtz might replace Leroy Sane on the left side of the attack, potentially shifting Jamal Musiala to the right.
Despite Niclas Fullkrug’s equaliser against Spain in the 2022 World Cup, he is not expected to start over Kai Havertz as the central striker. The midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Robert Andrich, and Ilkay Gundogan is set to remain unchanged, providing stability and experience for the hosts.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
SPA – Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams
GER – Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Kroos, Andrich; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz
PREDICTIONS
A tight affair cannot be ruled out on Friday considering that each of their last four meetings between these two nations in major tournaments have produced only six goals (Spain four, Germany two), while no more than two goals have been scored in six of the last seven encounters in all competitions. This 50-50 contest could go either way and few would be surprised to see it go beyond the 90 minutes, but we feel that Spain may just have the edge to sneak through to the semi-finals and bring the curtain down on Germany’s home Euros. -Spain 2-1 Germany (after extra time) – (Sports mole)
It is very difficult to look past this Spanish team. They’ve so far looked the best in the tournament. Spain to win, 3-1. – (Standard)
The game is likely to be a close one given both side’s form in the tournament, but Germany will have the home support. Spain 1-1 Germany (Spain to win in extra time). – (Independent)
