The two best teams so far at EURO 2024 will meet in the quarter-finals in Stuttgart on Friday, when hosts Germany face red-hot Spain.
( MORE: Schedule and tournament tree for EURO 2024 )
Spain won all three of their group stage matches and swept Georgia in the round of 16 (despite an early scare) as Luis de la Fuente’s free-roaming side are brave and relentless and create so many chances. Young players Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Pedri are the attacking heart of this team, while Rodri holds everything together in midfield. Spain will be tough to beat and their only Achilles heel seems to be defending on the counterattack as they send so many players forward.
Germany were lucky against Denmark in the round of 16 but ultimately prevailed as Musiala, Havertz and substitute Wirtz overwhelmed the Danes. Julian Nagelsmann will be concerned about the defensive performance he saw against Switzerland and Denmark but Germany’s midfield, with Kroos and Gundogan leading the way, still brims with quality. The hosts will be expected to step up a gear in Stuttgart but this quarter-final could well be a match between the two best teams in the competition.
How to watch Spain vs GermanyStream link and start time
Begin: 12 p.m. ET, Friday (July 5)
Stadion: Stuttgart-Arena
How to watch and stream on TV in the USA: Fox Sports
News and focus on the Spanish team
Spain have no suspension problems and only Nacho and Ayoze Perez have had minor injury problems and neither were on the substitutes’ team against Georgia. Luis de la Fuente really doesn’t have any major selection problems as his starting eleven is playing well and players like Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Joselu are all coming off the bench well when needed.
News about the German national team, focus
Jonathan Tah is back from suspension and should play at centre-back again, while Florian Wirtz played well as a substitute and could replace Leroy Sane on the wing. Kai Havertz remains under pressure to get his starting place as Niclas Fullkrug played so well as a substitute, but Havertz was very good against Denmark and will surely be back in the starting line-up.
Prediction Spain vs. Germany
It will probably be a very close game, but Spain could easily wear down Germany with their fluid system, their running game without the ball and their outstanding passing. Spain – Germany 2:1.
