EURO 2024
The Euro 2024 quarter-finals get underway today, with two heavyweight clashes that both pit former tournament winners against each other.
The day’s opening quarter-final, at Stuttgart’s MHPArena, will be contested by the European Championship’s most decorated teams: Spain and Germany both boast an unsurpassed three continental titles.
At Euro 2024, the Germans and the Spaniards are the two top-scoring sides, having netted 10 and nine goals so far, respectively.
After pipping Switzerland to top spot in Group A, the tournament hosts progressed to the quarters with a 2-0 last-16 victory over Denmark, and are now aiming to reach the semis for the fourth time in the last five European Championships. Since 2004, the only time Germany have failed to make the last four was at Euro 2020, when they were ousted in the last 16 by England.
Spain, meanwhile, are looking to qualify for the semi-finals for the second straight Euros. Like Germany, Luis de la Fuente’s men topped their group; indeed, they secured maximum points without conceding a goal. Their defence was breached in the last 16 against Georgia, but goals by Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo earned La Roja a thumping, 4-1 triumph over the Euros debutants.
This will be Spain and Germany’s fourth meeting at a European Championship, and their first since the Spaniards were victorious in the 2008 final. La Roja also beat the Germans in 1984, before Die Mannschaft claimed their only Euros win over Spain four years later. Germany haven’t beaten their opponents in a competitive fixture since that victory at Euro ‘88 – but, ominously for Spain, the 2010 World Cup winners haven’t defeated the host nation at a major tournament in nine previous attempts.
Starting the quarter-finals with a bang 🤩@bookingcom | #EUROfixtures pic.twitter.com/9GcizAjNBr
In the day’s second clash, at Hamburg’s Volskparkstadion, Portugal and France are both bidding to reach the semi-finals of the Euros for the first time since they met in the final eight years ago.
France, who are two-time winners of the European Championship, have failed to fire in Germany thus far. Group D runners-up behind surprise package Austria, Les Bleus edged to a 1-0 win over Belgium in the last 16, thanks to a late own goal by defender Jan Vertonghen. Didier Deschamps’ men are still to find the net themselves from open play at Euro 2024: during the group stage, their two strikes came courtesy of another own goal, by Austria’s Max Wöber, and a Kylian Mbappé penalty.
Portugal, who topped Group F, endured an even tighter last-16 tie than France. Roberto Martínez’s side were held to a 0-0 draw by underdogs Slovenia, before prevailing in a penalty shootout.
Portugal and France are meeting for the third straight European Championship. Before a 2-2 group-stage draw at Euro 2020, the Portuguese stunned the tournament hosts in the final in 2016, winning 1-0 in Paris to lift their first piece of major silverware. Overall, this will be the teams’ fifth clash at the Euros: they also met in 1984 and 2000, with France triumphing both times.
Spain vs Germany: Fox Network, ViX
Portugal vs France: Fox Network, ViX
You can also stream every game at Euro 2024 on fuboTV, which offers users a free trial.
Enjoy the action on fubo.
AS USA will have live-text coverage of both today’s Euro 2024 quarter-finals. Joe Brennan will be providing minute-by-minute commentary of Spain vs Germany, before Calum Roche talks you through the action in Portugal vs France.
The winners of today’s quarter-final ties will come up against each other in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, in Munich on Sunday July 9.
About the author
William Allen
British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak.
BALLON D'OR
COPA AMÉRICA 2024
COPA AMÉRICA 2024
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