Preview

The first Euro 2024 semi-final awaits as Spain and France prepare to go head-to-head at the Allianz Arena. The two teams are battling for a place in the final, where they will face the victors from Wednesday’s game between the Netherlands and England.

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By Matthew Smith

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Spain have won every single game of the tournament so far, coming through the group stage with nine points before beating Georgia and Germany in the Round of 16 and quarter-final respectively. 

Luis Enrique’s side have been free-flowing in attack, with no team scoring more goals per game (2.2) than the Spaniards. With 21 chances created throughout the tournament, France will need to be at their best defensively to keep them out. 

The threat of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal on each wing has caused plenty of problems for the teams Spain have faced so far at the finals. The duo from LaLiga have created a whopping 6.4 chances per 90 minutes between them.

Fabián Ruiz has been a standout for Enrique’s men in the middle of the park, averaging a FotMob match rating of 8.60, the highest we have seen for any player in the competition. With four goals and assists combined, the PSG midfielder should be in the running for UEFA’s official player of the tournament award. 

France have found the back of the net just once in the tournament with Kylian Mbappé dispatching a single penalty, with the rest of their strikes coming via own goals. Didier Deschamps’ side haven’t been at their best in attack, but their resolute defence has helped them reach this stage of Euro 2024.

With just 0.2 goals conceded per match, France have been difficult to break down, heavily relying on their defensive structure to see out games. William Saliba has been a key contributor to their success at the back, despite not being a regular for his country ahead of the tournament.

The Arsenal defender has averaged 4.5 clearances per 90 minutes and a 7.13 match rating at Euro 2024, regularly partnering Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano. They will need the defensive duo to be at their best to nullify the threat of Williams and Yamal.

The French have been far from convincing at this year’s tournament, but Deschamps won’t mind how they reach the final. They’ll be desperate to start converting in the final third, though, considering they’ve created 8.1 expected goals, missing 11 big chances.

It’s set to be an exciting match-up in Munich with plenty of attacking talent on show in this semi-final tie.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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The Netherlands and Türkiye both kept their best performances of Euro 2024 for the round of 16 when they secured impressive wins to boost their chances of a deep run at the tournament.

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By Graham Ruthven

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While Romania posed little threat to Ronald Koeman’s side, the Dutch still managed to impose their own game and play a brand of dynamic, attacking football Oranje supporters had been calling for. The Netherlands will now be aiming to carry that forward into the upcoming round.

Meanwhile, Türkiye saw off tournament dark horses Austria in a pulsating round of 16 encounter which saw Merih Demiral – who will be suspended for Saturday’s match – score two goals from corner kicks. Set pieces will be an area Turkey look to make the most of again in the quarter-finals.

Cody Gakpo is the joint-top scorer at Euro 2024 with three goals in four games. The 25-year-old has a tendency to find his best form at major tournaments and has underlined his importance to the Netherlands with a series of impressive performances, most recently against Romania in the last round.

Xavi Simons has also flourished at Euro 2024 with the 21-year-old operating in between the lines. His natural creativity and willingness to drift has given the Netherlands a different dimension in the attacking third. Simons could have a big influence on the quarter-final.

Arda Güler is another attacking difference-maker who could make his mark on Saturday with the Real Madrid teenager already Türkiye’s creator in-chief and greatest goal threat. Vincenzo Montella has been willing to give Güler a free role in his team and that freedom has brought the best out of the 19-year-old.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu will return from suspension for Türkiye after missing the victory over Austria. This could give them more control in the centre of the pitch with the Inter midfielder one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the game right now. Çalhanoğlu might also have license to push higher up the pitch where his long-range shooting could be a threat.

Both teams have performed at their best at Euro 2024 when the handbrake has been let off and they can embrace their chaotic side. If Koeman and Montella are willing to set up their respective sides to play on the front foot, Saturday’s quarter-final in Berlin has the potential to be the most entertaining of the ties in the last eight.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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England have been unconvincing in their run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with many questioning Gareth Southgate’s team selections and tactics.

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By Graham Ruthven

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Had it not been for a stoppage time Jude Bellingham equaliser The Three Lions wouldn’t have made it past Slovakia in the round of 16. Recent reports, however, suggest Southgate will make changes for Saturday’s clash against Switzerland.

Southgate could match up against Switzerland’s back three with a similar formation of his own. This could see Cole Palmer brought into the lineup after a series of eye-catching cameos off the bench in the tournament. Luke Shaw’s fitness remains a talking point ahead of the quarter-final.

Harry Kane and Bellingham both found the net in the comeback victory over Slovakia, but neither have been able to find their top form in Germany this summer. This, of course, is something that could be said of several English superstars including Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.

Switzerland, on the other hand, have been the surprise package of Euro 2024 so far with Murat Yakin making smart changes from game-to-game to get the most out of his squad. He has more than proved his tactical ability at the tournament.

Granit Xhaka has been a controlling influence in the centre of the pitch for the Swiss with the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder currently at the peak of his powers. England must find a way to stop him from dictating play. That could involve putting someone like Kobbie Mainoo on Xhaka to close up any space in the midfield.

In attack, Switzerland have nowhere near the level of top-end talent that England have, but they make good use of late runs from the likes of Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas – both of whom scored in the last 16 victory over Italy – to create scoring opportunities. Any space between the English defensive and midfield lines will be exploited.

Defensively, Switzerland have genuine quality. Yann Sommer has been one of the best goalkeepers at the tournament with Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schär also proven at the elite level. England have struggled to break down low defensive blocks at Euro 2024 and could suffer once again here.

On talent alone, England are clearly firm favourites to win and make the semi-finals of a third major tournament in the last four. However, Southgate’s team are much less than the sum of their parts and that could open the door for Switzerland to extend their unexpected run to the semi-finals.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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A Copa América title contender will see their tournament come to an end on Saturday in the quarter-final as pre-tournament favourites Uruguay and Brazil meet in Las Vegas

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By Jon Arnold

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Uruguay won Group C with victories in all three games, and only truly looked in danger of dropping points in the group finale against the United States. Even then, they was able to grind out a 1-0 win, scoring from a set piece and relying on a staunch defence to keep a second consecutive clean sheet after having conceded to Panama in the opening group contest.

Uruguay winger Maxi Araújo had to leave the contest against the U.S. after a rough fall that appeared to affect his neck and head. But the Toluca attacker has been cleared to participate in the quarter-final, and manager Marcelo Bielsa may use an unchanged starting lineup. He may be quicker to go to his bench for modifications should Uruguay not be in control of the match, though. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Betancur, often starting centre-back Sebastián Cáceres and legendary forward Luis Suárez all made only cameos against the U.S. – with the starters carrying out the job more than well enough through three games.

Bielsa’s Brazil counterpart Dorival Junior will be forced into at least one modification, and it’s a significant one. After seeing a yellow card in a 1-1 draw with Colombia that closed out group play and secured the second spot in the group for Brazil, Vinícius Júnior is suspended from this contest.

How to replace him isn’t immediately clear. Savio could slot in as a direct replacement, or 17-year-old forward Endrick could start up top and push Rodrygo to the wing. Fans have been begging to see more of Endrick, both wanting to see the young wunderkind and hoping a fixed forward would allow this Brazil to look more like Brazil sides of old, flowing freely in attack instead of being flustered by teams like Costa Rica in the group stage.

Thus far, goalkeeper Alisson Becker and the centre-back pairing of Éder Militão and Marquinhos have provided stability to the team, but Uruguay forward Darwin Núñez and the wingers will look to make life uncomfortable with Uruguay’s trademark press.

Uruguay will be buoyed not only by their form in the group stage but also having dominated Brazil in a 2-0 World Cup qualification win just nine months ago in Montevideo. Will they be able to repeat the feat or will it be Brazil slipping into the semi-final against the winner of Colombia vs. Panama earlier in the day?

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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The hottest national team in the world puts that title on the line against the surprise team of the Copa América when Colombia and Panama meet Saturday in the quarter-finals.

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By Jon Arnold

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With a 1-1 draw against Brazil to close out the group stage, Colombia not only clinched the first place in Group D but also extended their undefeated run to 26 matches. That stretches all the way back to the 2022 World Cup qualification cycle, as the Cafeteros missed out on qualifying for the finals in Qatar. A return to the sport’s biggest stage is the aim of manager Nestor Lorenzo, but first the focus is on trying to lift the Copa América for the first time since their 2001 title won on home soil.

James Rodríguez throwing it back to the glory days of 2014 undoubtedly has been one of the biggest keys to making this Colombia team feel unbeatable. He had three assists in the group stage, and is creating for a rotating cast of forwards and wingers, many of whom also are comfortable connecting passes in their attacking third. 

Panama beat the United States and Bolivia to finish second in Group C and get to this point, but they had to weather some absences to do so. That will continue Saturday, as Panama are missing lynchpin midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla after an additional game was added to his red-card suspension stemming from a sending off in the second group match.

The Central Americans went into the tournament without veteran midfielder Anibal Godoy and saw injuries to Andrés Andrade and Fidel Escobar dent their depth at centre- back – though it has allowed for a breakout tournament by Edgardo Fariña. 

During the tournament, winger Jose Luis “Puma” Rodriguez was lost to injury as well. Édgar Bárcenas now shoulders an even heavier load when it comes to creating, though a pair of goals from forward José Fajardo has made his life easier.

Despite being neighbours, coming from different confederations means meetings between Panama and Colombia have been relatively infrequent, with the majority of their contests coming in the Bolivarian Games of the 1950s and 1960s. The teams did clash twice in official action in the 2005 Gold Cup, with Panama getting two of its four wins in the series on the way to the final, though that was an alternative Colombia side.

This time, both teams will put the best on the field possible, looking to book their spot in a semi-final against the winner of Brazil and Uruguay. A Panama win would be a shock from a team that keeps shocking. A Colombia win would be a victory from a team that keeps winning. Something has to give.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

A ticket to the semi-final of the Copa América is on the line when Group B winner Venezuela clashes with Group A runner-up Canada at AT&T Stadium in Texas on Friday night. The team that punches that ticket will, at least, match their best-ever finish at the competition.

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By Jon Arnold

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It’s the first time Canada has participated, with the Reds qualifying for one of six Concacaf spots in the 2024 tournament thanks to a play-off victory over Trinidad and Tobago. Venezuela have been in 19 editions before but only once have they made it to the semi-finals: The 2011 tournament in Argentina when they fell to Paraguay on a penalty shootout in the final four and lost to Peru in the third-place play-off game.

Both teams have undoubtedly been on the rise in the international game in the last few years. Canada are currently ranked 48th in the world by FIFA, down from their all-time high of 33rd back in 2022, while Venezuela sit 54th having peaked in the top 25 just four years ago.

Canada have hit something of a speed bump, with their 2022 World Cup preparation disrupted by issues around friendly matches and a dispute between the players and the federation. Now, not only is new leadership in place at Canada Soccer, but American manager Jesse Marsch has arrived. After a trial by fire to start life in Canada – playing friendly matches on the road against the Netherlands and France, then opening the Copa América against defending champion Argentina. Canada got out of the group thanks to a 1-0 win over Peru and a scoreless draw with Chile – both contests in which Canada’s opponents picked up a red card. In the quarter-final, there is no doubt they will need more from their star-studded offence.

The North Americans will already be down one weapon in attack. Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan suffered a fractured tibia in training earlier in the week in Texas, with the squad calling an end to the session because of the frustration felt after losing a key player. He had surgery and will miss time not only with his country but also when the club season resumes as his recovery is expected to take four to five months. That may lead Marsch to evaluate where he utilises Alphonso Davies, who has played full-back, wingback and winger with the national team – and sometimes in the same game.

Venezuela entered the tournament knowing they had an in-form Salomón Rondón, and the forward has delivered with two goals in three group victories. Yet, he’s getting help up front as well, as Eduard Bello has matched his two goals, and both Darwin Machís and Yeferson Soteldo have been able to add a creative element to Venezuela’s front line that has been lacking.

Critically, goalkeeper Rafael Romo has been one of the best shot-stoppers of the tournament, starring against Mexico as Venezuela secured a win despite conceding 2.88 in xG, including a penalty.

Both teams want to make history and return to their nations with their best-ever Copa América finish. One of them will head home this weekend, the dream of a semi-final in 2024 unfulfilled.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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

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