As the Euro 2024 quarter-finals commence, we turn our attention to the highly anticipated match in Stuttgart, featuring the hosts against the favorites. Here’s our preview and prediction for Spain vs Germany.
When are yellow cards reset?
Yellow cards accumulated during the tournament that have not led to a suspension are wiped clean after the quarter-finals. They do not carry over to the semi-finals.
Spain vs Germany: Match Preview
The tournament has already been thrilling, but the prospect of Spain vs. Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals adds an extra layer of excitement. The hosts face a formidable challenge against the only team to have won all four of their games.
No host nation has ever been eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the UEFA European Championship. All four previous host quarter-finalists have progressed: England won a penalty shootout against Spain in 1996, the Netherlands beat Yugoslavia 6-1 in 2000, Portugal beat England on penalties in 2004, and France defeated Iceland 5-2 in 2016.
Germany also boasts an impressive record at this stage. This will be their 19th quarter-final tie across the World Cup (14) and European Championship (5), the most of any European nation in these two major tournaments. They have advanced from 15 of their previous 18 (83%) quarter-finals, including all four at the Euros (1996, 2008, 2012, 2016).
Julian Nagelsmann’s squad topped their group by defeating Scotland (5-1) and Hungary (2-0) before drawing with Switzerland (1-1). They overcame a thunderstorm in Dortmund to beat Denmark 2-0 in the round of 16.
Spain’s journey has been slightly smoother, with Luis de la Fuente’s team also topping their group. They defeated Croatia (3-0), Italy (1-0), and Albania (1-0), before coming from behind to comfortably beat Georgia 4-1 in the last 16.
This clash will feature Euro 2024’s two top-scoring teams. Spain has scored nine goals, while Germany has netted ten, tying their record for the most goals in a single edition of the competition. Impressively, Germany’s shot conversion rate of 13.9% is their highest since Euro 2008 (14.5%), although they lost to Spain in the final that year.
Toni Kroos has been in remarkable form, potentially playing his final games before retirement. He has completed 95% of his passes at the tournament (411/431), the highest completion rate for a player attempting 300+ passes in a European Championship since 1980. Additionally, Kroos leads all players at Euro 2024 in line-breaking passes (125).
The future of the Nationalelf looks promising, particularly with Jamal Musiala on the team. Musiala has scored three goals in Germany’s four games, making him the joint-top scorer of the tournament. The only player aged 21 or younger to score more in a single edition of the Euros was Wayne Rooney, who netted four for England in 2004.
Spain also boasts standout players, with Fabián Ruiz being a notable surprise. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has contributed to five goals in his last four appearances for Spain (three goals, two assists). He has both scored and assisted in two of his three games at Euro 2024 – a feat no player has ever achieved in three different games at a single European Championship.
However, the spotlight has been on star wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, who excelled in the 4-1 victory over Georgia.
Sixteen-year-old Yamal has provided two assists for Spain at Euro 2024, making him only the third teenager on record (since 1980) to provide multiple assists at the tournament, following Enzo Scifo (1984) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2004). Yamal has risen to the occasion, completing 94% of his passes under pressure (106/113), the highest rate among Spain players who have played at least 180 minutes at Euro 2024.
Spain vs Germany: Head-to-head
This will be the fourth encounter between Spain and Germany at a European Championship. Spain has won two of the previous matches (1984 and 2008), while Germany has won one (1988). Their most recent meeting was the 2008 final, where Spain secured a 1-0 victory with a goal from Fernando Torres.
The two teams also clashed at the 2022 World Cup, resulting in a 1-1 draw in the group stage. Álvaro Morata scored the opener for Spain, but Niclas Füllkrug equalized late in the game.
Spain is unbeaten in their last four major tournament matches against Germany (W2 D2), with these games producing a total of just six goals (Spain 4, Germany 2).
Despite losing their first meeting with Spain on German soil (2-1 in a 1935 friendly), Germany is unbeaten in their last eight home games against La Roja (W5 D3).
Spain vs Germany: Recent Form
Spain: WWWWW (all competitions, most recent first)
Germany: WDWWW (all competitions, most recent first)
Spain vs Germany: Team News and Predicted Line-up
Spain: Team News
Spain head into their crucial Euro 2024 quarter-final against hosts Germany in strong form.
Manager Luis de la Fuente rested ten players for La Roja’s final group game, yet they still secured a win against Albania.
The key players returned for the impressive 4-1 victory over Georgia in the last 16, reinforcing Spain’s status as one of the tournament favorites.
Now, they face Germany in Stuttgart in what promises to be one of the standout matches of the competition so far.
Given their success thus far, significant changes to the lineup seem unlikely.
The dynamic Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal are expected to flank Álvaro Morata up front, while the midfield trio of Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, and Pedri is set to continue.
Nacho Fernandez is reportedly fit again but may struggle to displace either Aymeric Laporte or Robin Le Normand in central defense.
Spain: Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Simon
- Defenders: Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella
- Midfielders: Rodri, Ruiz, Pedri
- Forwards: Yamal, Morata, Williams
Germany: Team News
Germany welcomes back Jonathan Tah for their crucial Euro 2024 quarter-final against Spain on Friday.
The Bayer Leverkusen defender missed the 2-0 win over Denmark due to suspension but returns to strengthen Julian Nagelsmann’s squad as they aim for a spot in the final four on home soil.
Nico Schlotterbeck stepped in during Tah’s absence but may return to the bench, as Tah has been the preferred partner for Antonio Rudiger.
They face La Roja in Stuttgart in what promises to be one of the most exciting games of the tournament.
Leroy Sane made his first start of the campaign against Denmark, but it remains uncertain if Florian Wirtz will return to the starting lineup.
Toni Kroos is set to continue in midfield, knowing that a defeat would mark the end of his illustrious career, as he plans to retire at the conclusion of the European Championship.
Germany: Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Neuer
- Defenders: Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum
- Midfielders: Kroos, Andrich, Gundogan
- Forwards: Musiala, Wirtz, Havertz
Spain vs Germany: Match Prediction
It’s hard to ignore this Spanish team. They’ve looked like the best in the tournament so far.
We’re going with Spain to win by 3-1.
When and Where to Watch the Match LIVE in India?
UEFA Euro 2024 matches will be broadcast live on Sony Sports channels: Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD, Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 4 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5, and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 can be accessed through the SonyLIV app and website.
You can watch the match in Friday, 5 July from 9:30 pm onwards on Sony Sports channels: Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD, Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 4 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5, and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD.
Live streaming of the match can also be accessed through the SonyLIV app and website.
