Clash of generations: Portugal plays France and on the other hand Germany and Spain collide in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals

Spain, Germany, Portugal, and France, European football powerhouses, clash in today’s Euro 2024 quarterfinals.

Spain vs. Germany Preview:

Hosts Germany take on Spain in the first of two blockbuster quarter-final ties at Euro 2024 on Friday.

A quarter-final meeting between the two most successful nations in Euros history with three titles each and aiming to become the outright leader on that list this year. Germany will have home support at Stuttgart Arena, but that will not worry a Spanish side that plays on the front foot.

There is no doubt Spain has been the most convincing team in the tournament. Germany has not quite hit the heights of Spain but Julian Nagelsmann’s side has shown glimpses of their electrifying quality with Jamal Musiala at the heart of it.

Germany (10) and Spain (9) are the top two scorers at Euro 2024. Spain, with the thrilling duo of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the wings. Germany, meanwhile, has also impressed on their run to the last eight, with Jamal Musiala outstanding in attack and Toni Kroos pulling the strings in midfield as he prepares to retire after the competition.

The match, a repeat of the Euro 2008 final won 1-0 by Spain in Vienna, therefore promises to be a thriller.

Player to watch in the Euro-2024 quarterfinals between Spain vs. Germany :

Spain:

1. Ruiz has been particularly impressive, scoring and assisting in two of his three games and having eight shots – the most of any midfielder.
2. Lamine Yamal was heavily tipped to shine over the month but Nico Williams star has reached new heights
3. Reliable Rodri the rock behind Spain’s sparkling Euros.

“My focus is less on Yamal, more on Jamal,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said Thursday as he compared the two opposing stars and indicated that his team planned to take the game to the Spanish.

Germany:

1. Germany has Musiala – the joint-top scorer with three goals.
2. Florian Wirtz to call on, so this is also the clash of the wonderkids.

The winners of that match will advance to a semi-final against either France or Portugal, who go head-to-head in Hamburg at 1900 GMT.

Portugal vs. France Preview:

Mbappe meets his idol, Ronaldo. The best forwards in the world on either side, France vs Portugal has all the makings of being a classic fixture. Or does it?

Neither Portugal nor France have been at their free-flowing best so far at EURO 2024, but this mouth-watering match-up offers both teams the chance to truly stake their claim as genuine contenders.

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa came to the rescue against Slovenia with three saves in the penalty shoot-out, while France have kept three clean sheets in their four games so far, the likes of Jules Koundé and William Saliba particularly impressive.

France’s goal stats are not the sort you would associate with potential champions, but at the other end of the pitch, their extremely robust defense – which has conceded just one goal, a penalty from Robert Lewandowski – gives them every chance.

Biggest Problem:

France has not scored in open play in its last five internationals while Portugal has failed to find the net in its past two outings at Euro 2024, needing the tear-filled trauma of a penalty shootout to win a last-eight place.

There is no doubting the quality on both sides, with Kylian Mbappe captaining the French and Cristiano Ronaldo bringing record-breaking achievement to Portugal.

Player to watch in the Euro-2024 quarterfinals between Portugal vs. France :

Portugal:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo has produced the most shots in the tournament so far with 20, but is still yet to score.

France:

1. William Saliba France has conceded one goal during William Saliba’s 387 minutes on the pitch at major tournaments. And that was from the penalty spot.