The Euro 2024 quarter-finals kick off today with a highly-anticipated clash between two of the hottest teams at the tournament so far as Germany host Spain in Stuttgart.
The tournament hosts got their campaign going with a blistering 5-1 win over Scotland before impressing over the next two group games and fortuitously seeing off Denmark in the round of 16. Jamal Musiala has been electric and Toni Kroos is in fine form for his final competition before retirement.
Also in Germany’s favour is the fact they have won a knockout match in a major international competition for the first time since 2016 which is a clear sign that they mean business.
However, Spain have perhaps been the most complete side of the Euros so far having won all four of their games, netting nine goals in the process. They only goal they have conceded came in the last-16 win over Georgia where they bounced back from going behind to triumph 4-1.
Follow all the action from Spain v Germany with our live blog below:
Spain 1-0 Germany
Germany send the ball out to Florian Wirtz who comes down the right side before sending a pass into the middle for Niclas Fullkrug. The striker holds off Nacho before turning the ball towards the target and watching as it ricochets off the nearest post.
Mike Jones5 July 2024 18:36
Spain 1-0 Germany
75 mins: Ferran Torres curls a free kick over to the back post and finds Aymeric Laporte who keeps the ball alive. Germany hurry it out of the box though and feed Jamal Musiala who tries to fly forward leading a counter attack.
Torres stops his run by dragging the forward back and accepts the yellow card brandishing by the referee.
Mike Jones5 July 2024 18:34
Spain 1-0 Germany
Germany whip the ball into the box from the left and Kai Havertz wins it in the air. He nods it down to Niclas Fullkrug (who may be offside) and the forward pokes it back to Robert Andrich.
Andrich shoots with his first touch and hits the strike well, Unai Simon jumps to the left and palms it away.
Mike Jones5 July 2024 18:29
Spain 1-0 Germany
69 mins: Toni Kroos arrives late with a tackle and goes in the book. He got away with a couple o ftakcles in the first hald but now he needs to be careful.
Spain look to build slowly out from the back and draw Germany up the pitch. They want space to run into as that’s where they’ve had the most joy in this match.
Mike Jones5 July 2024 18:28
Spain 1-0 Germany
66 mins: Jamal Musiala has nowhere to go after collecting the ball outside the box. He loses possession then fouls Kai Havertz in a desperate attempt to win it back.
Mike Jones5 July 2024 18:25
Spain 1-0 Germany
63 mins: There’s a furrowed brow on the face of Julian Nagelsmann now. He’s made his tweaks and his changes and now must trust his players to execute the updated plans.
Germany have seen more of the ball since they went behind. Spain have been pushed deeper though they want to keep attacking.
Mike Jones5 July 2024 18:23
Spain 1-0 Germany
60 mins: Ilkay Gundogan and David Raum are hooked off by Julian Nagelsmann as the Germany manager looks to swing the game back in his team’s favour.
Replacing them are Maximilian Mittelstadt and Niclas Fullkrug. Florian Wirtz shoots from range looking to curl one into the bottom corner but his effort is deflected out for a corner.
Mike Jones5 July 2024 18:19
Spain 1-0 Germany
57 mins: As Germany push higher up the pitch, there are spaces and gaps in their defence for Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal to exploit.
Spain can take advantage of this with the pace they have up top. Germany need to be wary as a second goal conceded could see this match slip away from them.
Robert Andrich fouls Williams and collects a yellow card. He’ll miss the semi-final for Germany too.
Mike Jones5 July 2024 18:15
Spain 1-0 Germany
54 mins: What that goal will do is open this game up as Germany look to respond. As it stands the hosts are heading out of their own tournament but they won’t go out wondering.
The next goal could be the crucial one in this quarter-final.
Mike Jones5 July 2024 18:13
GOAL! Spain 1-0 Germany (Olmo, 51’)⚽️
Spain work the ball down the right wing where Lamine Yamal is allowed time and space to operate. He carries the ball forward, brings it to the penalty area then squares a pass along the front edge of the box.
Dani Olmo times his run perfectly, arrives on the scene and slots the finish past Manuel Neuer!
Mike Jones5 July 2024 18:11