Euro 2024: Spain vs. Germany - Prediction, Preview and Betting Picks

On paper, this is arguably the most closely contested encounter we've seen at this tournament yet. These two sides are the two top goalscoring teams at the tournament, with Germany having notched 10 goals in 4 games while the Spanish have 9 goals in the same number of matches.

Jamal Musiala is the joint-top scorer in the tournament with three goals, while Fabián Ruiz has the most goal contributions in the competition with 4 - coming in the shape of 2 goals and 2 assists.

As previously mentioned, head-to-head meetings between these two have been dead even in recent encounters and despite the fact Spain have, on balance, looked the more impressive of the two teams, home advantage for Germany will likely have a significant bearing on the game.

Ultimately, it feels as though there aren't many significant separators between these two sides, so we expect a very, very competitive encounter. We predict Spain 1-1 Germany at full-time (Germany to win on penalties)

This Friday, football fans across Europe and beyond will be eagerly anticipating the quarter-final clash between Spain and Germany at Euro 2024. Both teams have shown their quality in different ways throughout the tournament, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing and tightly contested match. Here, we take a detailed look at both teams, their journeys so far, and what we can expect from this heavyweight encounter.

• Date: 05/07/2024
• Kick-off time: 17:00
• Location: MHPArena, Stuttgart

Spain have arguably been the standout team of Euro 2024 so far. Finishing top of Group B with a perfect record of nine points, they are the only team in the tournament to have won all three of their group stage matches. Under the guidance of manager Luis de la Fuente, Spain have evolved into a more direct and dynamic outfit compared to their traditional possession-based style. This new approach has made them more adaptable and multifaceted, a crucial evolution for success in modern football.

A significant factor in Spain's impressive performances has been their threat from wide positions. The emergence of 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal and 21-year-old Nico Williams has provided Spain with the kind of 1v1 threats out wide that they have lacked recently. Both players have been excellent in the tournament, bringing a new dimension to Spain's play. Yamal, with his fearlessness and skill, and Williams, with his pace and directness, have been pivotal in stretching opposition defences and creating opportunities.

Spain's matches in the group stage showcased their ability to combine traditional technical prowess with a newfound directness. They opened their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Scotland, followed by a hard-fought 2-1 win against Croatia, and concluded with a comprehensive 4-1 triumph over Switzerland. These performances not only secured their place at the top of Group B but also established them as one of the teams to watch in the tournament.

As the host nation of Euro 2024, Germany entered the tournament with high expectations. While they haven't looked as comfortable as Spain, they have still demonstrated their quality and resilience, finishing top of Group A with seven points. Germany's ability to score goals has been particularly notable; with ten goals in the group stage, they are the top scorers in the tournament so far.

Manager Julian Nagelsmann has brought a fresh approach to the German side, focusing on a high-tempo, attacking style of play. The standout player for Germany has been 21-year-old Jamal Musiala. His creativity, vision, and dribbling ability have been crucial in unlocking defences and providing assists for his teammates. Alongside Musiala, defender Antonio Rüdiger has been a rock at the back, while striker Kai Havertz has been a menace while leading the line for the team.

Historically, matches between Spain and Germany have often been closely contested affairs. The last five head-to-head meetings between the two sides have produced one win for each team and three draws. Their most recent encounter was in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, which ended in a 1-1 draw. This history suggests that Friday's quarter-final is likely to be another tightly fought battle.

The clash between Spain and Germany in the quarter-finals is considered by many to be a fitting final, given the quality and pedigree of both teams. However, the tournament draw has pitted them against each other at this stage, adding an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to the fixture. Both teams will be aware that a victory in this match could provide significant momentum towards a potential tournament triumph.

As Spain and Germany prepare to face off in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, the anticipation is palpable. Spain, with their perfect record and exciting style of play, will look to continue their impressive run. Germany, buoyed by home support and their scoring prowess, will aim to leverage their strengths and exploit any vulnerabilities in the Spanish defence.

Watch Spain vs. Germany and every UEFA Euro 2024 match on FOX, FS1, and the Fox Sports App.

Spain Team News:

Spain have no injuries or suspensions coming into this game, so it's tough to imagine them making any changes for this one.

Spain have one of the most settled XI's in this tournament and things are working swimmingly, so expect Luis de la Fuente to opt with continuity here.

Predicted line-up: Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Fabián Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Morata, Williams

Germany Team News:

Julian Nagelsmann, on the other hand, has a decision or two to make. Jonathan Tah is available once again after serving a one-match suspension, so a decision will need to be made whether he will retake his place alongside Antonio Rüdiger at the expense of Nico Schlotterbeck.

Florian Wirtz and Maximilian Mittelstädt were both dropped from the starting XI for the round of 16 tie with Denmark, with Leroy Sané and David Raum the two coming in to deputise. Each of the former two will be hoping for recalls.

Predicted lineup: Neuer; Kimmich, Rüdiger, Tah, Raum; Andrich, Kroos; Musiala, Gündoğan, Wirtz; Havertz

Spain are the only side with a perfect record in this tournament, having won all four of their games so far. Spain kicked off their campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Croatia, with Fabián Ruiz, Álvaro Morata and Dani Carvajal sealing what was a fine opening game win.

In their second game, Spain produced arguably a more impressive performance, despite a narrower scoreline, as they beat Italy 1-0 in what was an incredibly one-sided game where winger Nico Williams had the Italian defence on strings.

Spain's final group game saw them dispatch Albania 1-0 with a much-changed starting XI where a first-half goal from Ferran Torres proved enough to get the job done.

When the round of 16 came up Spain were drawn against Georgia, and despite a valiant effort from the underdogs that saw them take an 18th-minute lead through a Robin Le Normand own goal, Spain rallied impressively to produce a 4-1 win courtesy of goals from Rodri, Ruiz, Williams and Dani Olmo. Spain's wide men, Williams and Lamine Yamal, were again particularly impressive, providing a constant threat on each side.

Germany's campaign kicked off with a resounding 5-1 hammering of Scotland in the opening game in what is still the most uncompetitive affair in the tournament so far. Goals from Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Niclas Füllkrug and Emre can gave the hosts the win.

Germany followed that game up with a professional yet much less convincing performance as they beat Hungary 2-0 courtesy of goals from Musiala and İlkay Gündoğan. The scoreline was ultimately comfortable, but Hungary troubled the Germans on several occasions with Manuel Neuer forced to bail his side out more than once.

Germany finished their group stage with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, a game that was largely a disappointing one for Germany who struggled throughout the match despite playing a full-strength XI, with Füllkrug eventually rescuing the team with a stoppage-time equaliser.

Things did improve for Germany, however, as they beat Denmark 2-0 in their round of 16 tie thanks to a Havertz penalty followed by a fine goal from Musiala. It was, though, a fairly uncomfortable game for Germany, who were very fortunate to see a Denmark goal ruled out in the second half for one of the most marginal offside calls you'll ever see, a decision that preceded Germany being awarded a VAR penalty for a soft handball to open the scoring. That pair of decisions ultimately changed the game, but the encounter was a very even one before Denmark's goal that never was.

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