Spain vs Germany
Euro 2024 quarterfinals
Stadium: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Time: 9pm local time (19:00 GMT) kickoff on Friday, July 6

Spain:

• Pedri: The young midfielder’s vision and passing ability are critical for Spain’s ball control and attack.
• Alvaro Morata: Spain’s leading striker, known for his positioning and finishing skills, will be essential for converting chances into goals.

Germany:

• Joshua Kimmich: As a versatile midfielder, Kimmich’s ability to control the tempo and distribute the ball will be key.
• Serge Gnabry: The forward’s pace and scoring prowess make him a constant threat to Spain’s defense.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Historical Matchups:

• Spain and Germany have faced each other multiple times in major tournaments, with each team having its share of victories.
• W-D-L Record: Germany: 10 Wins, Draws: 8, Spain: 9 Wins

Tactical Approaches:

• Spain: Known for their tiki-taka style, Spain will aim to dominate possession and create opportunities through intricate passing.
• Germany: Germany will likely adopt a balanced approach, leveraging quick transitions and the technical skills of their midfield.

Match Expectations

This quarterfinal clash promises a tactical battle between two football powerhouses. Spain’s possession-based style will be tested against Germany’s disciplined and dynamic play. Key players like Pedri and Kimmich will play pivotal roles in determining the outcome, ensuring a high-intensity and captivating match.

Portugal vs France
Euro 2024 quarterfinals
Stadium: Volksparkstadion Stadium in Hamburg, Germany
Time: 9pm local time (19:00 GMT) kickoff on Friday, July 5

Key Players and Their Influence

Portugal:

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal’s iconic forward, known for his scoring and leadership, will be crucial in turning the tide in their favor.

Bruno Fernandes: His creativity and set-piece expertise are vital for breaking down France’s defense.

France:

Kylian Mbappé: The speedy forward is a constant threat, capable of exploiting defensive gaps.

N’Golo Kanté: His defensive skills and work rate will be key in disrupting Portugal’s play and transitioning to attack.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Historical Matchups:

Portugal and France have a storied rivalry, including Portugal’s victory in the Euro 2016 final.

W-D-L Record: France: 19 Wins, Draws: 2, Portugal: 6 Wins

Tactical Approaches

• Portugal: Expect disciplined defense and counter-attacks, leveraging Ronaldo’s and Fernandes’ strengths.
• France: They will aim to control possession and utilize Mbappé’s pace for creating opportunities.

Match Expectations

The quarterfinal promises a tactical battle, with both teams showcasing a blend of experience and young talent. Key players like Fernandes and Kanté will play crucial roles, and fans can anticipate high-intensity action with potential game-changing moments.

Let’s dive into the exciting details about the EURO 2024 quarter-finals and the top eight teams that made it. Here’s a fun breakdown:

England vs. Türkiye

• Date: July 5, 2024
• Time: 18:00 CET
• Stadium: Olympiastadion, Berlin

France vs. Switzerland

• Date: July 5, 2024
• Time: 21:00 CET
• Stadium: Allianz Arena, Munich

Germany vs. Portugal

• Date: July 6, 2024
• Time: 18:00 CET
• Stadium: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund

Netherlands vs. Spain

• Date: July 6, 2024
• Time: 21:00 CET
• Stadium: Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen

England

England topped Group C despite not being at their best. Key moments include Jude Bellingham’s amazing overhead kick and Harry Kane’s winning header against Slovakia. Coach Gareth Southgate hopes his team will show more consistency. Kane, the team’s talisman, remains crucial, and young talent Cole Palmer might surprise everyone.

France

France, led by the experienced Didier Deschamps, showed grit but had to settle for second place in Group D. Kylian Mbappé, their star player, is determined to lead the team to glory. Watch out for Bradley Barcola, who has impressed everyone this season.

Germany

The host nation, Germany, started strong with a big win against Scotland. Coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team, led by the skillful İlkay Gündoğan, aims to make a deep run. Keep an eye on Maximilian Mittelstädt, a standout left-back.

Netherlands

The Dutch had a mixed group stage but bounced back with a solid win over Romania. Ronald Koeman’s squad, featuring key player Memphis Depay and rising star Jeremie Frimpong, looks to continue their momentum.

Portugal

Portugal had a perfect group stage, and though they faced a scare against Slovenia, they prevailed in penalties. Roberto Martínez’s team, featuring Bruno Fernandes and young sensation João Neves, aims to replicate their 2016 success.

Spain

Spain, under coach Luis de la Fuente, dominated their group with four straight wins. Rodri is a key player, and Lamine Yamal, the tournament’s youngest player, is one to watch. Spain is eyeing a record fourth EURO title.

Switzerland

Switzerland had a strong run, including an impressive win over Italy. Coach Murat Yakin’s team, led by Granit Xhaka, is full of confidence. Michael Aebischer has been a surprising standout.

Türkiye

Türkiye made it to the quarter-finals after thrilling victories, including a dramatic win over Austria. Coach Vincenzo Montella’s squad, with captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu and young star Arda Güler, hopes to continue their impressive run.

Top Nigerian club Rivers United have announced they have agreed to a two-year contract with former Nigeria coach Finidi George.

The 53-year-old previously coached another Nigeria Premier Football League side, Enyimba, guiding them to their ninth championship last year.

The 53-year-old has replaced Stanley Eguma, who was in charge of ‘The Pride of Rivers’ for over 16 years.

George, whose stellar playing career included a Champions League triumph with Ajax in 1995, quit as national team coach last month with them second from the bottom of their 2026 World Cup qualifying group.

Rivers United finished a disappointing eighth this past league season.

Erik ten Hag has signed a contract extension that keeps him at Old Trafford until 2026, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

There had been intense speculation over the Dutchman’s future after a poor 2023/24 Premier League campaign but he guided the club to FA Cup success against Manchester City.

It was widely leaked in the British media last month that after a review by the club’s new part-owner, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, Ten Hag would be staying at the club.

“Erik ten Hag has extended his contract as Manchester United men’s first-team manager until June 2026,” United said in a statement.

The former Ajax manager, whose deal had been due to expire in 2025, admitted there was work to be done to close the gap on United’s Premier League rivals.

“Looking back at the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined,” he said.

“However, we must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead to reach the levels expected of Manchester United, which means challenging for English and European titles.”

Dan Ashworth, Manchester United sporting director, said: “With two trophies in the past two seasons, Erik has reinforced his record as one of the most consistently successful coaches in European football.

“While the club’s review of last season highlighted areas for improvement, it also reached a clear conclusion that Erik was the best partner for us to work with in driving up standards and outcomes.”

Ten Hag, 54, ended a six-year trophy drought for United in his first season by lifting the League Cup in 2023 and finishing third in the league, encouraging fans that they might launch a Premier League title bid in 2023/24.

But they lost 14 games and ended with a negative goal difference, finishing a whopping 31 points behind champions Manchester City.