SPAIN and Germany meet for a place in the semi-finals on Friday evening.
For many, the match is better suited to the final in Berlin on July 14 than the opening quarter-final tie.
Instead, one of the tournament favourites will be sent home early when they meet in Stuttgart.
Both sides have impressed so far, although Germany were fortunate to secure a controversial win over Denmark in the last 16.
As for La Roja, they had to come from behind before thrashing Georgia 4-1.
The two sides met in the final of Euro 2008, with Spain winning 1-0 thanks to Fernando Torres’ goal.
Meanwhile, they last played each other in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.
Alvaro Morata and Niclas Fullkrug were on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw.
Germany head into the match unbeaten in 2024, winning six of their eight matches so far this year.
The four-time world champions have not lost since suffering back-to-back defeats to Turkey and Austria in November.
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Julian Nagelsmann’s side have won three of their four matches at Euro 2024, scoring 10 goals and conceding just twice.
Spain have also been in impressive form, winning six matches in a row heading into Friday’s clash.
Luis de la Fuente has lost just one of his last 16 matches in charge, dating back to Scotland’s surprise qualifying win in March 2023.
That defeat is one of just two in 19 matches since his appointment after the 2022 World Cup.
Germany will welcome Jonathan Tah back from suspension to face Spain.
The defender missed the win over Denmark after picking up two bookings during the group stage.
Elsewhere, there are no injury issues or suspensions for Nagelsmann to worry about.
Spain are also free of any suspensions but could be without Aymeric Laporte through injury.
The 30-year-old is a doubt due to muscle fatigue and had struggled for fitness heading into the tournament.
However, a direct replacement is available with Nacho Fernandez now back to full fitness.
Jamal Musiala has been the standout performer for the host nation so far this summer.
With his strike against Denmark, he now has three goals in four matches at Euro 2024.
That tally currently has Musiala level with Georges Mikautadze and Ivan Schranz as the joint top scorer, although his rivals have both been knocked out.
Spain have so far spread their goals across a devastating attack, although one player has shone through.
Nico Williams has been in fine form alongside Lamine Yamal for De la Fuente’s side.
The 21-year-old winger grabbed a stunning goal and provided an assist against Georgia in the last 16 in his best performance of the tournament to date.
Following Germany’s win over Denmark, Nagelsmann admitted it will be tough for anyone to beat them when at their best.
He said: “There is always room to grow. Talk about the first 20 minutes in this game and it was very good, very happy with that.
“But we could speed up our game in ball possession. If we do like we did in the first 20 minutes it is really, really tough to beat us.”
Meanwhile, De la Fuente acknowledged the meeting with Germany could easily have been the final.
Speaking after the last 16 win, he explained: “We know this next game could have been a final at a World Cup. It’s a great rival we are going to face.”
Recent meetings between Spain and Germany have been tight encounters, with three of the last four ending in 1-1 draws.
However, Spain romped to a 6-0 victory in 2020 and have been more impressive so far this summer.
The three-time winners are well worth their favourites tag.
SunSport prediction – 2-1
Match result
To qualify
*Odds courtesy of William Hill and are correct at the time of publication.
