Euro 2024 Quarter-finals: What can we expect?
My predictions before eight teams are whittled down to four at UEFA Euro 2024 this weekend.
Does the “business end” of the tournament begin when we reach the Quarter-finals? Hopefully after a hit-and-miss Round of 16 and a mostly-miss end to the Group Stage, the quarters will be a little less business and a bit more party.
If our four fixtures are going to follow the form of the last three weeks, then we will have one of the two best teams knocking out the other of the two best teams, before three sleepwalking favourites get what could be a final chance to wake up and show their worth. Last, we have another match of the tournament candidate, simply because Turkey are playing.
Who is going through to the Semi-finals? It’s all here in The Full International’s Quarter-final preview.
Spain vs Germany
This match should be the final. Not only is it just a quarter-final, but it is the first of the four matches, meaning some of the most disappointing teams in the whole competition so far are still going to be alive after one of these two has been eliminated.
That rubbing of salt in the wounds aside, what a match we have on our hands! I said in my Round of 16 preview, that the winner of this match will win the whole tournament, and little nothing has happened to change my view.
What to expect? In the build-up, Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has questioned whether Lamine Yamal can cope with such a high-stakes fixture; the youngster and Nico Williams on the other wing will again be key for Spain.
Germany will be confident of taking advantage of Spain leaving themselves open at the back, as they did against Georgia, though Luis de la Fuente’s side will surely be a little more conservative against the highest scorers in the competition.
Not short of some trash talking of their own, Spain have talked of wanting to “retire” Toni Kroos, who will need to control the midfield to allow Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz et al to get forward.
I see this one going the distance with Germany roared on by the home crowd, but nothing seems to have phased Spain thus far, and I think they will edge it. Spain win 2-1 (AET).
Portugal vs France
This match immediately following Spain vs Germany feels like UEFA’s way of reminding us how lucky we are!
Kylian Mbappé meeting Lionel Messi in the 2022 World Cup final brought the best out of the two players, let’s hope the former’s clash with Cristiano Ronaldo has the same effect.
There has been little to suggest that will be the case, as Portugal have stuttered through the competition, while France are still looking for one of their players to score from somewhere other than the penalty spot.
So, what can we expect in this repeat of the 2016 final? Unfortunately, I think we will see a similar match to that at the Stade de France eight years ago. Any chance of a change of style from Didier Deschamps seems impossible, so there will be more bossing of the midfield from N’Golo Kanté before the French attack breaks down.
But another similarity to the 2016 final could be Portugal actually utilising some of the other players in their squad. I do not expect Roberto Martínez to drop Ronaldo, or even take him off set pieces, but in Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, Portugal have enough talent to take control of this game, and I have slightly more faith in their abilities to nick the odd goal. Portugal win 1-0.
England vs Switzerland
Saturday begins with the other of the pre-tournament favourites who has continually failed upwards and into the quarter-finals.
But unlike France and Portugal, we can expect something different from England, but only because Gareth Southgate is forced into a change, as Marc Guéhi, their unlikely key performer, is ruled out through suspension.
England may well switch to a back three, a system that has served them well in the past, with Bukayo Saka pushed back to wing back, or dropped in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
That could prove to be great news for Switzerland, especially if the attack-minded Saka starts, as they scored both their goals from their left hand side against Italy, and can look to exploit that same area of the pitch once again.
Granit Xhaka and Michel Aesbischer have been two of the most impressive midfielders in the whole tournament while the Swiss attackers seem to be taking turns to be the focal point going forward. This can be a case of a star team getting the better of a team of stars. Switzerland win 2-1.
Netherlands vs Turkey
We start the round with a heavyweight clash, and we finish with a blockbuster. Turkey have been the great entertainers of Euro 2024 thus far, and they will take on perhaps the tournament’s great improver.
The Dutch really got their act together against Romania, as Cody Gakpo looked unstoppable, while Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay constantly threatened in their 3-0 win.
Ronald Koeman’s men seem to have hit upon a winning formula, and we can expect them to try and hit on the break a Turkish side who will see attack as the best form of defence.
Turkey, though, proved against Austria that they have plenty of defensive abilities when their backs are against the wall, so they could hunker down again if they are leading in the second half, but could be exposed if they are chasing the game late on.
This one is too close to call! I just hope it lives up to the billing. Netherlands 2-2 Turkey (Netherlands win on penalties).
What do you think? Who will be your four semi-finalists? Will we see the likes of England and France start to entertain, or will it be more of the same? Let me know, and don’t forget to subscribe!
Anthony Tomas is a football writer and commentator, who writes for Flashscore and World Soccer Magazine.
Very nice with that Spain prediction!