Preview

Friday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final meeting between Portugal and France will feature an array of attacking talent, yet it’s uncertain whether this match will produce the front-foot football most fans want to see.

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By Graham Ruthven

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Both teams have struggled to find their best attacking form at Euro 2024 far. Indeed, while Portugal needed a penalty shootout to edge past Slovenia following a 0-0 draw, no French player has scored from open play in four matches.

It is therefore reasonable to expect a cagey, conservative encounter on Friday. Didier Deschamps will set up France’s midfield to be strong on the defensive side of the ball with N’Golo Kanté and Aurélien Tchouaméni predicted to start.

Adrien Rabiot is suspended for the quarter-final, meaning Deschamps could reshuffle his midfield unit to accommodate Antoine Griezmann in a deeper role similar to the one who thrived in during the 2022 World Cup. Alternatively, Edouardo Camavinga could be brought into the midfield.

Roberto Martínez will likely match up against the French midfield with a central trio of his own. João Palhinha has made the number six position in the Portugal lineup his own with Vitinha crucial to the way the Seleção drive through the lines in transition and Bruno Fernandes an all-round attacking threat in behind the centre forward.

Against Slovenia, Portugal were guilty of being overly accommodating to Cristiano Ronaldo. The 39-year-old was extremely wasteful in front of goal, even missing a penalty kick in extra time. Ronaldo could still be a key figure against France, but Martínez must implement a number of different attacking ideas to get the most out of his team.

Whether or not Kylian Mbappé is being restricted by the face mask he is currently having to wear after suffering a broken nose in France’s opening game win over Austria, he has yet to find his best form at Euro 2024. Portugal, however, could give Mbappé more space to attack in behind. This could be the moment he bursts into life.

An early goal for either team could open up the match as a contest and lead to a thrilling showcase of end-to-end, attacking football. There will certainly be enough attacking talent on the pitch for that to be the case. Barring that, though, Portugal and France are expected to be compact and conservative first and foremost. Deschamps-ball is rarely exciting and Martínez-ball isn’t much better.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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For many, Friday’s meeting between Spain and Germany might as well be the Euro 2024 final.

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By Graham Ruthven

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They have been the two strongest teams in the tournament so far, making the winner of this quarter-final the favourite, in the eyes of most, to go all the way and lift the trophy.

Spain are the only side to have won all their games to date with Luis de la Fuente’s team impressive in victories over Croatia, Italy, Albania, and Georgia. Germany, meanwhile, are the competition’s top scorers having netted 10 times in just four games.

Under Luis Enrique, Spain were guilty of lacking cutting edge. Now, though, they have a direct threat that has harnessed Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal as difference-makers in the wide areas.

The opening game win over Croatia showcased how Spain have changed with de la Fuente at the helm with the Euro 2008 and 2012 winners content to sit back and counter into space. They could do that again in periods against Germany.

In midfield, Rodri is a commanding presence at the heart of the Spain lineup with Fabián Ruiz the largely unheralded all-rounder next to him. Then there’s Pedri whose job is to create in between the lines.

Germany have two of their own creators in the shape of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Musiala is the joint-top scorer at Euro 2024 so far with three goals in four games. The Bayern Munich youngster could have a big say on the outcome of Friday’s clash.

It’s possible Julian Nagelsmann could start Leroy Sané over Wirtz, as he did in the round of 16 win over Denmark. Sané’s pace and directness could help Germany get in behind the Spanish backline.

Nagelsmann set up his team in the group stage to operate with dual number 10s. However, Germany might look to operate with more width high up the pitch to expose the space behind Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella.

Friday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final will be decided by battles all over the pitch. There is significant overlap between the two teams’ style of play, with Spain and Germany both comfortable in possession, keen to counter-press, and quick to move into the attacking third.

These could be the ingredients for the most gripping match of the whole tournament. Many of the big nations – see England and France, for starters – have failed to impress at Euro 2024. Spain and Germany, however, are not among them and could produce a quarter-final spectacle in Stuttgart. 

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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There’s no margin for error for teams remaining in the Copa América as the knockout stage starts on Thursday with defending champions Argentina taking on Ecuador at NRG Stadium in Houston.

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By Jon Arnold

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Argentina’s stars go into the quarter-final well rested. With the team knowing they already into the last round, several young players got an opportunity against Peru – though regular Lautaro Martínez was the star with a pair of goals in the second half.

The star whose condition everyone is most interested in is, without a doubt, Lionel Messi. Messi rested in the 2-0 win after complaining of adductor pain after Argentina’s second group game, a 1-0 victory over Chile. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, who missed the Peru match because of a suspension, said Wednesday that they would see how Messi felt after the final pre-match training session before deciding what his role will be.

He trained with the rest of the team in the portion of training open to the press, so there’s reason to believe Messi will at least play significant minutes. Argentina are a different team when it doesn’t have its superstar available, so fans of the Albiceleste will hope to see the No. 10 earn a starting role – though he may play only the first or second 45 minutes of the contest.

Ecuador had hoped to avoid Argentina in the quarter-final by winning Group B but saw their path complicated by a red card to forward Enner Valencia in the first contest of the group stage. They slipped to defeat in that game, to Venezuela, but then beat Jamaica 3-1 and battled to a scoreless draw with Mexico that earned them second place in the group.

Teenage sensation Kendry Páez has largely lived up to his billing as a do-it-all midfield talent but needs some help and also would love to see manager Félix Sánchez adopt a less conservative posture than he did in the lead-up to the tournament and in the group stage. Alan Minda scored a lovely goal on a late counter-attack against Jamaica when the Reggae Boyz were pushed up, but otherwise goals have come from a set piece, a flukey deflection, and a penalty.

If Ecuador finds a way to the semi-finals, it will be breaking new ground. Argentina have won 11 and drawn five meetings between the teams in Copa América tournaments in the past and have avoided defeat in the last seven meetings between the two teams.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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There have been some wonderful tactical match-ups at Euro 2024 already, but this one might be one of the most intriguing even if the team names don’t immediately draw the eye.

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By Karl Matchett

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Indeed, the contrast between Austria and Turkey so far hints that this could be one of the ties of the round in the last 16.

First, Ralf Rangnick’s Austrian outfit have been extremely impressive on and off the ball, one of the most cohesive units with clarity of ideas and a manner of progressing the ball which suits both personnel and tactical set-up.

Then there’s Türkiye: all fire and fury, technically excellent but prone to overcommitting, to spells of failing concentration, to feeling they can score every time they attack – but looking vulnerable to mishaps, mindlessness, and mistakes.

And an additional wrinkle, as suspensions hit: Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Samet Akaydin are out, meaning Türkiye miss their presence and – in the case of Çalhanoğlu – his creativity, set-piece prowess and workrate. New routes into the final third must be found, through one of the more impressive defences we’ve seen in Germany so far.

But this match might be more about what Austria do, than what Türkiye provide – as it’ll more than likely be a bit of both worlds from them again: scintillating approach play, incredible atmosphere…slightly missing the mental poise to keep it up all game long while remaining tight at the back.

Austria have won possession 5.0 times per game in the final third, Türkiye 5.7 – but consider the nations they were against so far: France and Netherlands, plus the disappointing Poland. They’ve had it harder, against better players in that area of the pitch, than Türkiye have, but the pressing has been on point and the end product impressive, with seven big chances created, six goals scored, 5.7 shots on target per game and a whopping 20% conversion rate, the best at the tournament so far by a distance.

Individually too they have big performers: Philipp Lienhart in defence, Christoph Baumgartner creating, Marcel Sabitzer doing everything.

Rangnick’s side have been excellent so far, but now it’s time for them to make history. They’ve never been to a Euros quarter-final, and even at the World Cup not once since 1954. It’s fair to say the format, and football, has changed a lot since then – and Rangnick has completely changed this side’s fortunes.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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From the quartet of nations in Group E, the least-expected winners would have been not the third-highest ranked country by Fifa, not the team who reached the quarter-finals at the last edition of the Euros and not a nation who have qualified for three straight European Championships.

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By Karl Matchett

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No, instead the least-fancied of the four would have been one which was not at Euro 2020, which has not been at a World Cup since 1998 and in fact did not have a win at a major men’s tournament to their name in a quarter of a century. That nation is Romania, and yet that same nation finished first.

To be sure, it was a strange group all around. It’s not often they all finish with identical records in points terms, meaning Romania’s first outing – a 3-0 win over Ukraine – proved pivotal in goals scored, just as much as their final meeting ending in a draw would always mean both nations in that game would progress.

But it sure upset the expectations and revamped the look of the knockout phase, with Belgium having been expected to be on that side of the draw – now instead of the world No.3, it’s the world No.47.

But that’s only half the truth of this fixture’s surprise. Netherlands were supposed to be competitive themselves. Second place was meant to be theirs in Group D, which would also have pitted them in the top half of the draw – instead it was third and this sudden opportunity to progress through the finals sits before them…if they can improve significantly.

Because the Dutch have not, thus far, been impressive. There have been spells of excellence, individuals who have shone, but as a cohesive unit they have underperformed and failed to really signify they are a team who can compete. In part that’s unsurprising – the loss of an entire midfield isn’t ideal tournament preparation. But Ronald Koeman hasn’t yet found the right combination in the replacements for Frenkie de Jong et al, with Joey Veerman in particular looking all at sea.

Cody Gakpo and occasionally Xavi Simons have been the attacking standouts, but not to the level that they have been clearly better than their last-16 opponents.

Netherlands have a combined xG to this point of 3.7, to Romania’s 3.3. They are 16th and 18th respectively in that regard at Euro 2024. While they both have scored four, Netherlands have missed six of their eight big chances created. For Romania, it’s two of four.

They will dominate, they will have the ball, they will pin Romania back…but how they deal in transitions and counter-attacks, a failing of the Oranje so far, will determine who reaches the last eight.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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It’s all or nothing for the host nation as the United States takes on Uruguay in their final group match of the 2024 Copa América.

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By Jon Arnold

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The U.S. needs a win to finish in second place and advance to the knockout stage – and there is a scenario where even that isn’t enough for the Americans to go through.

After a 2-1 defeat to Panama in the second group game, the U.S. needs not only to win but also for Panama not to make up the goal difference with a big win over Bolivia in the other game. It won’t be easy against an Uruguay team that appears to be one of the favourites to life the trophy, and there is a huge amount of speculation in the U.S. that if the Americans aren’t able to advance from the group, that they will part ways with manager Gregg Berhalter.

The manager insists any pressure coming from fans and others outside the program can’t reach the same level of expectation he already holds himself to, but it may be increasingly difficult to block out the external noise. The hope from fans was that the U.S. would – at minimum – advance from the group, but a win against Uruguay won’t come easily.

The U.S. will have to get a victory without Tim Weah, who was sent off in the first half of the loss to Panama and in addition to being suspended for Monday’s match, he also would miss a potential quarter-final contest after CONMEBOL’s disciplinary committee handed down an extra match ban for the offence. He could be replaced by Coventry City’s Haji Wright or Leeds United’s Brenden Aaronson.

Goalkeeper Matt Turner came out at halftime in the Panama contest after a collision and has been “limited” in training, Berhalter said Sunday. If the No. 1 can’t start, Ethan Horvath will again take his place. 

Uruguay won’t be required to rest any players – though with the South Americans all but qualified for the quarterfinals there likely will be some rotation in the squad – but it won’t have manager Marcelo Bielsa on the bench. After his team returned to the field from halftime late in both of the first two contests, the governing body added Bielsa to a list of suspended coaches that also included Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and Chile boss Ricardo Gareca.

Bielsa will choose the lineup and, despite the big wins in the first two matches, he has hinted that he won’t play an alternate squad. That would mean the Americans’ back line would need to try to detain forward Darwin Núñez and a Uruguay attack that so far has scored eight goals in two contests and also thumped Mexico 4-0 in a pre-tournament friendly.

No matter where it’s coming from, the pressure is on the U.S. Will they be the first host nation to crash out of the group stage of the Copa América in decades, or will it find a way to get through?

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Portugal will face Slovenia in the Round of 16 at the Frankfurt Arena as superstar Cristiano Ronaldo still searches for his first goal at the tournament.

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By Matthew Smith

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Roberto Martínez’s side got off to an impressive start at Euro 2024, winning their first two games while scoring five times. With Portugal already qualified heading into the final match of the group stage, Martínez heavily rotated his team with Georgia securing a 2-0 victory. 

The Portuguese supporters won’t be too disheartened with their disappointing performance in their third game of the tournament. Portugal showed enough promise in their opening two fixtures for the fans who have travelled to Germany to have plenty of faith in the final weeks of Euro 2024.

Portugal have implemented a possession-based style in the competition, keeping the ball 67.4 per cent of the time, more than any other side. Producing 98 touches inside the opposition box, Martínez’s men have been a constant threat in the final third.

Ronaldo has often been a standout for his country in previous tournaments, but the experienced forward hasn’t quite got going yet at Euro 2024. The 39-year-old is yet to find the back of the net, but thankfully for Portugal, the likes of Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes have chipped in with goals.

Slovenia have been draw-specialists at Euro 2024 so far, securing a single point in all three games. It was enough for Matjaž Kek’s side to gain qualification to the knockout rounds, with their draw against England their standout result. 

Averaging less possession (32.7 per cent) and fewer touches inside the opposition box (34) than any other team at the tournament, Slovenia have been a frustrating side to face. Defending deep and looking to counter-attack, Kek’s team have conceded just 0.7 goals per game.

Timi Elšnik has been a key figure in the middle of the park for Kek’s men at Euro 2024, averaging a 7.45 match rating throughout. The 26-year-old midfielder has averaged 1.4 successful tackles per 90 while creating a chance per game, and he will need to be at his best against Portugal who have star-studded options in the centre of the pitch. 

Andraž Šporar and Benjamin Šeško play in a two-man attack for Slovenia, but they’re yet to find the back of the net. The centre-forward duo will be looking to break down a strong Portugal defence.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Both Belgium and France have struggled to hit the heights expected of them at Euro 2024, and they are now set to go head-to-head in the Round of 16 stage of the competition.

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By Matthew Smith

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France haven’t quite got into their groove at Euro 2024 so far, partly due to Kylian Mbappé’s tournament being impacted by injury. The attacking star broke his nose in the opening game, meaning he failed to make an appearance in the second match. 

Didier Deschamps’s side have scored just twice in Germany, despite creating 5.9 expected goals. Their resolute defence has helped them reach the knockout rounds, only conceding 0.3 goals per 90 minutes at Euro 2024. 

N’Golo Kanté has been influential in the middle of the park for the French, not only producing more successful tackles per 90 minutes than any other player in the squad, but also creating more chances than his team-mates.

With just one goal to his name so far, a penalty against Poland, Deschamps will be hoping to see more of one of his star men before the end of the tournament, Mbappé. France were one of the favourites heading into Euro 2024, but they will need to show more to live up to their expectations. 

Belgium’s high-pressing system has brought them some success so far, but their lack of goals will be a worry for Domenico Tedesco. Averaging just 0.7 goals per game, Belgium have been fairly blunt in attack, despite Kevin De Bruyne doing what he does best, creating a host of chances for his team-mates.

The Manchester City midfielder is yet to register an assist at Euro 2024, despite creating 11 opportunities since the tournament got under way. Romelu Lukaku has regularly been on the end of them, averaging 0.56 expected goals per 90 without finding the back of the net.

The threat of Jérémy Doku on either wing will always give the opposition something to think about, with the tricky forward averaging a whopping five successful dribbles per 90 minutes. The likes of Jules Koundé and Theo Hernández will have to be at their best to nullify him on Monday.

Belgium and France might have hoped not to meet each other so early in the knockout stages, and it’s all set to be an interesting encounter, with one of the favourites to lift the trophy pre-tournament going to be heading home in the coming days.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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After making history to reach their first major tournament as an independent nation, few people were expecting Georgia to make it to the knockout rounds of Euro 2024 but after stunning Portugal in their final match to win 2-0, Willy ’s side managed to do just that.

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By Nathan Evans

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Sagnol insisted before the tournament that his team weren’t there simply to make up the numbers and, in their performances so far, it’s clear to see that he wasn’t wrong in making that statement. 

Georgia have arguably been the most entertaining side to watch in this edition of the UEFA European Championship, their three games thus far witnessing eight goals in total and with their gifted, exciting attacking line in particular, they’ve already received the plaudits of fans and pundits around the continent. 

Headlined by Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – who scored in their final group stage match – their counter-attacking system has helped them to catch their opposition off-guard and has seen them remain a threat in matches right up until the final whistle, as witnessed in their dramatic 3-1 defeat to Türkiye. 

That approach has aided striker Georges Mikautadze to net three goals to date, the most of any player in the competition heading into the knockout rounds. In him, Georgia have a real focal point, a player who is as comfortable with finishing his chances as he is at holding up the ball in order to help his side advance up the field. 

But at the Round of 16 stage, he’s set for his hardest assignment yet as he and his team face Spain, the only side who are still yet to concede at Euro 2024 and the only side to have ever scored seven goals past them in an international fixture. 

Much like hosts Germany, the Spaniards entered this tournament in the conversation as ‘the best of the rest’ with many feeling that their overall squad lacked the experience needed to win the title this time around. In spite of that, their performances in the group stage have done plenty to see them rise in many people’s expectations and it’s fair to say that they are now one of the favourites to take home the title.

Luis de la Fuente’s side eased through this edition’s ‘group of death’, beating Croatia, Italy, and Albania along the way while scoring five goals in the process and keeping three clean sheets. That also gave him the ability to rest key players in their final group match which could be key in this encounter, including 16-year-old Lamine Yamal who has continued his meteoric rise with a couple of stand-out appearances to date. 

He’ll be thrust into the spotlight again in this intriguing encounter that sees Spain enter as heavy favourites, but they’ll need to be extremely wary of this Georgia team who pack a punch, and have already won the hearts of many football fans at Euro 2024. 

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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During a tournament that has delivered plenty of action and drama in equal measure throughout, Group C very much failed to live up to its end of the bargain. With just seven goals scored in total, two sides who failed to even win a game progressing to the knockout stages and alongside them, the pre-tournament favourites England seriously under delivered in comparison to their obvious quality on paper.

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By Nathan Evans

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Amongst their ranks this time around is the LaLiga Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year and the Bundesliga’s top scorer but so far, the Three Lions have failed to find their form in Germany. 

A lacklustre 1-0 win in their opener against Serbia could be forgiven with the capture of three vital points to kick off their campaign, but two drab draws against Denmark and Slovenia in their subsequent outings have done plenty to tamper expectations back home in terms of potentially winning the competition. 

Under manager Gareth Southgate, England have performed well at major tournaments previously, reaching at least the quarter-final stage in each of the competitions played during his tenure but this time around, the entertainment value has been minimal, and it’s done little to quell the concern from fans and pundits alike. 

Problems first arose with England’s squad selection, in which no healthy, recognised left back was picked by Southgate and it’s that decision that has caused much of the problem for the Three Lions. In their 4-2-3-1 set up, Kieran Trippier has featured at left back but with Phil Foden playing on the same wing and out of his favoured position, no width has been created down that flank.

That has left England unbalanced, making life easy for the nations that they’ve faced so far as they’ve been able to focus their defensive actions down the centre of the pitch as the Three Lions’ attacking midfield area has become oversubscribed with players drawn towards the ball. 

Slovakia will be the latest side to try and keep England off the scoresheet at the Round of 16 stage. They finished third behind Romania and Belgium in Group E and highlighted their ability to perform against the biggest nations with a 1-0 victory over Belgium in their opening fixture. 

Even though, on paper, they represent one of the weaker sides left in the competition, expect them to frustrate Southgate’s side from the off as they look to claim a priceless victory en route to a potential first ever quarter-final appearance at the Euros as an independent country.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.