Two European giants aiming for a record fourth European Championship title clash at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart on Friday, as Spain takes on Euro 2024 hosts Germany in the quarterfinals.
The winners of this highly anticipated match will advance to face either Portugal or France in the semi-finals.
Spain have not lost any of their last six competitive meetings with Germany (3-3-0) since Euro 1988 (which was held in West Germany), including a 1-1 draw in the 2022 World Cup group stage.
La Roja fondly recalls their 1-0 victory over Germany in the Euro 2008 final, courtesy of Fernando Torres, and their 6-0 thrashing in the 2020 UEFA Nations League, highlighted by Ferran Torres' hat-trick.
However, the Spanish side has never beaten a host nation in the knockout rounds of a Euros or World Cup, a streak stretching back to 1934.
Luis de la Fuente's Spain enters the quarterfinals as the only team with a perfect record at Euro 2024, having won all their group-stage matches and defeating Georgia 4-1 in the last 16. La Roja conceded first but achieved a comfortable comeback win over The Crusaders, who were on the back of a glorious victory over another Iberian side - Portugal.
Despite an early own goal by Robin Le Normand, which marked the first goal Spain conceded in the tournament, La Roja responded with goals from Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo to secure a comprehensive victory. This extended Spain's unbeaten run in the European Championship to 10 matches, excluding penalty shootouts.
Luis de la Fuente's youthful and dynamic squad has impressed throughout the tournament. Their performances mark Spain's fourth quarter-final appearance in the last five Euros. Germany's Joshua Kimmich has even acknowledged Spain as the most impressive team so far.
Expected to continue with their well-settled, first-choice XI here, Spain will be keen to end Germany's hopes of a first continental title since 1996.
The attack will likely feature 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal and Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams alongside captain Alvaro Morata in a three-person forward line.
Midfielders Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino are vying for a starting spot over Pedri, but the latter is anticipated to retain his place alongside Rodri and Fabian Ruiz. In defense, Nacho Fernandez has recovered from a minor foot injury but is unlikely to replace either Robin Le Normand or Aymeric Laporte in the center-back position. Full-backs Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella are also expected to continue in their roles.
Die Mannschaft, seeking their first European Championship title since 1996, overcame Denmark 2-0 in the round of 16, with second-half goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala. A thunderstorm and VAR controversy marked the match in Dortmund, but Germany prevailed, reaching the quarterfinals of a major tournament for the first time since Euro 2016.
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 Euro 2024 quarterfinals. With strong home support, Germany has again become a formidable force under Julian Nagelsmann's guidance.
Overall, this will be Germany's 19th quarter-final appearance across the World Cup and Euros, the most of any European nation.
Despite their recent struggles, which saw them fall to 16th in the FIFA rankings before Nagelsmann's appointment, the Germans have won only two of their last 11 matches against Spain. Their last victory was a 1-0 friendly win in November 2014, with an 89th-minute winner from Toni Kroos in Vigo, Spain.
However, Germany remains unbeaten in their last eight home games against Spain (five wins and three draws). Moreover, the host nation has yet to be eliminated at the quarter-final stage of a European Championship.
Julian Nagelsmann may adjust his lineup. It remains to be seen whether David Raum will once again be given the nod at left back over Maximilian Mittelstadt, who started all group games.
Elsewhere, Nico Schlotterbeck is also pushing for a start against Spain, though Jonathan Tah served his suspension. The Bayer Leverkusen defender is tipped to start alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Florian Wirtz might replace Leroy Sane on the left, allowing Jamal Musiala to shift to the right. Despite Niclas Fullkrug scoring in the 1-1 draw with Spain at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Kai Havertz is expected to remain the central striker.
The midfield trio of Robert Andrich, Toni Kroos, and captain Ilkay Gundogan is set to stay intact.
As Spain and Germany prepare to lock horns in Stuttgart today, football fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating a thrilling encounter between two of Europe's finest teams.
A tight contest is anticipated, considering their last four meetings in significant tournaments have yielded only six goals (Spain four, Germany two). Furthermore, no more than two goals have been scored in six of their last seven encounters across all competitions.
This evenly matched contest could go either way, and it wouldn't be surprising if it extended beyond 90 minutes. However, hosts Germany might have the slight edge needed to advance to the semi-finals and end Spain's remarkable European Championship campaign thus far.
