Stuttgart, July 4: Spain meet host nation Germany on Friday in the quarterfinals of the European Championship in an eagerly-anticipated match between two of the best performing sides at the tournament.
There is also a potential record on the line as Spain and Germany have each won three European Championships, better than any other nation.
Two of the most exciting talents will be on show in Spain teenager Lamine Yamal and 21-year-old Germany forward Jamal Musiala.The winner will advance to face France or Portugal in the semifinal in Munich on Tuesday.Spain and Germany are the leading scorers at Euro 2024, having netted nine and 10 goals respectively in their four matches. They have also conjured the most attempts on target.Spain has never eliminated a host nation, either at a European Championship or at the World Cup.La Roja is the only team to have won all its matches at Euro 2024, beating Croatia, Italy and Albania in the group stage before thumping Georgia 4-1 in the round of 16. Germany beat Scotland and Hungary but drew against Switzerland before eliminating Denmark.
Germany hasn’t beaten Spain in a major tournament since a group-stage victory at Euro ‘88.Team news- Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Fabian Ruiz all missed Spain’s training session on Tuesday, while Aymeric Laporte only jogged once around the field. However, all are expected to be fit for Friday’s match.Germany defender Jonathan Tah returns from suspension and coach Julian Nagelsmann has reported no injury concerns.By the numbers- Spain and Germany have only conceded three goals between them. The only time Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón had to pick the ball out of his net was against Georgia, while Germany conceded against Scotland and Switzerland.
The teams have met 26 times, with Germany winning nine to Spain’s eight. Spain edges Germany slightly on goals scored with 32 compared to 31.Three of the last four encounters have finished in a 1-1 draw with the exception being a 6-0 thrashing of Germany by Spain in a UEFA Nations League match in November 2020.
Germany has won all six of its European Championship quarterfinals. Spain has lost five of its nine.Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will likely make a national record 39th appearance in a major tournament, having matched Bastian Schweinsteiger’s mark in the previous round.Germany has won the last six penalty shootouts it has been involved in, losing only its first in the 1976 final. Spain has won seven of its 13.What they’re saying: “I am not at all nostalgic and I don’t feel like this will be my last-ever match.” – Germany midfielder Toni Kroos, who will be retiring after the tournament.“We’re aiming for the trophy and even though it’s been a pleasure playing with Toni Kroos – because he’s been a teammate (at Real Madrid) and a friend – I’d still like to retire’ him on Friday!” – Spain forward Joselu.“I don’t know if Spain are all that happy having to face Germany; likewise, there could have been easier opponents for us. If you want to win this tournament, you have to go through Spain,” said Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich.
“Both are amazing players, they are young talents who will be the best in the world in the future. The wrong thing that everybody does is compare players,” said Spain midfielder Mikel Merino on Yamal and Musiala. Kickoff at 9:30 pm IST. (AP)
