Spain 2-1 Germany

Euro 2024/Quarter Finals

MOTM: Dani Olmo

Match Stats:

• xG: 1.18 - 2.44

• xThreat: 1.01 - 2.2

• Possession: 46.5% - 53.5%

• Field Tilt: 40.4% - 59.6%

• Penalty Box Shots: 2 - 10

• Deep Completions: 7 - 21

• PPDA: 8.9 - 8.1

• High Turnovers: 8 - 3

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 14 - 17

Germany tried to use the aggressive approach of Spain’s full backs against them, to get in-behind with the likes of Musiala with Raum backing him up. Kimmich and Sane on the opposite flank against Cucurella.

The approach from Nagelsmann was clear, take away space and time from the Spanish midfielders. Emre Can coming in for this match was part of that plan with his movement. Gundogan and Havertz kept a close eye on Rodri. Fabian Ruiz couldn’t get away from Can. Kroos kept an eye on Olmo.

You can see with the passing map included below, in the first half Germany struggled to find their passes between the lines like they have done in previous matches. The number of vertical and horizontal runs in front of Kroos allowed them to progress the ball but against Spain they sacrificed this movement in pursuit of their plan to mark them tightly.

Rodri could however use this marking to his advantage and would pull players away from the center to open up space for Laporte. To drive into and find the pass into Morata. That’s exactly what happens for the first goal as Morata sets off Yamal.

The first goal from Spain (51’) finishing with this brilliant late run into the box by Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal picking him out.

Olmo then finished hard and low to the bottom left corner.

Spain then feared fatigue by taking off all three forwards and Nagelsmann continued to take risks by introducing Wirtz and Andrich shortly into the second half. Eventually introducing Muller and Fulkrug.

Germany responded right at the end of normal time (89’) starting with this cross to the back-post. Mittelstadt coming on to provide the pass.

Kimmich excellent header backwards that falls to the feet of Florian Wirtz. Into extra time we go…

It wasn’t until the end of extra time that Dani Olmo picks out the run of Merino with this cross (119’).

Incredible leap, beating Rudiger and making it impossible for Neuer to save.

Merino even did the same celebration as his Dad did in the same stadium 33 years ago…

Dani Olmo put in one of the best individual performances in Euros history against Germany. He’s been linked to Manchester City across the years so why exactly would they buy him this summer? 👇

We have seen Spain look fantastic against other teams in the tournament, well balanced and scoring goals for fun. Against Germany we saw Spain stand strong and find a way to win. Impressive performance in the end and that’s exactly what they’ll need to disarm France and reach the final.

Pedri is now injured for the rest of the tournament, Carvajal picked up a red card, Morata/Le Normand will be suspended due to yellow cards. Spain won but it came at a price.

Next up for Spain is to take on France in the Semi-finals on the 9th July, 20:00 GMT.

France 0-0 Portugal

Euro 2024/Quarter Finals

MOTM: Ousmane Dembele

Match Stats:

• xG: 2.29 - 1.29

• xThreat: 1.63 - 1.49

• Possession: 60% - 40%

• Field Tilt: 48.9% - 51.1%

• Penalty Box Shots: 11 - 7

• Deep Completions: 8 - 12

• PPDA: 11.9 - 22.1

• High Turnovers: 5 - 4

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 42 - 28

France were happy to sit off the Portugal central defenders and force them to circulate the ball at the back. Picking up the midfielders and prepared to push up onto mistakes. Kounde and Upamecano always able to deal with the isolation of Leao on the left side. The french midfielders along with Saliba comfortable winning their duels.

High defensive line, Griezmann cutting off passing lanes centrally and a midfield three that would shift from side to side to suffocate Portugal.

Despite disappointing with their attacking display, France stick to the game plan defensively and are content with one single moment winning them the match.

France prevented Portugal from progressing the ball centrally and once they had to move wide to Leao it was easy to shut Portugal down. That being said, there was no attacking spark from France as they setup to retain the ball very well and Tchouameni was key to that dropping between the central defenders.

But France couldn’t find Griezmann in good positions in the final third. Chance creation was not nearly as important as preventing Portugal having dangerous counter attacks.

Ousmane Dembele came on in the second half and displayed his dynamic dribbling ability, cutting inside and also going wide to put in crosses. If there was going to be a goal then Dembele would create or score it but it wasn’t meant to be as we went to penalties.

We are now at the stage of the tournament where winning is all that matters, style of player and entertaining fans is a distant second. For France that’s all they’ve done throughout the tournament, navigating an injury to Mbappe and reaching the semi finals without scoring directly in open play. They will need that same mentality to reach the final.

Next up for France is to take on Spain in the Semi-finals on the 9th July, 20:00 GMT.

England 1-1 (5-4 Pens) Switzerland

Euro 2024/Quarter Finals

MOTM: Bukayo Saka

Match Stats:

• xG: 0.43 - 1.07

• xThreat: 1.58 - 1.33

• Possession: 52.1% - 47.9%

• Field Tilt: 62.8% - 37.2%

• Penalty Box Shots: 7 - 10

• Deep Completions: 11 - 12

• PPDA: 11.6 - 11.9

• High Turnovers: 6 - 2

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 25 - 26

Switzerland have been impressive in the tournament and England matched their formation by moving to a 3-4-2-1 system. Trippier and Saka as wing-backs.

The pressing from England was improved, they could match up against Switzerland man for man. Press the three central defenders and Mainoo was free to track Xhaka. Aebischer rotates very well inside which Saka prevented by following him.

Phil Foden operating as a right ten meant England could put together spells of possession much better between himself, Rice, Mainoo and Bellingham as the left ten. Trippier didn’t provide an attacking threat but held the width on the left side far better against Switzerland.

After some changes and struggling down their left side, Switzerland found a break through on the right side. Zuber and Widmer coming on for Rieder and Vargas which allowed Ndoye to get into more advanced positions. Ball in behind the England defense as two players push up towards the ball.

Pass driven low across the box and Embolo (75’) get’s himself free of and in front of Kyle Walker to poke it in.

England responded with a number of changes and a goal followed shortly after. Luke Shaw as a left central defender, Eze as a left wing-back and Palmer as a number ten next to Foden. Moving Bellingham deeper in midfield.

It’s no surprise it came when England committed six different players into the box. Opening up the space for Saka to cut inside or find Phil Foden.

The England players maintain their runs as Saka (80’) drives across the box to shoot into the far corner.

You can see from the passing maps below just how well England did to stifle the progression from Switzerland down the left side. Vargas, Aebischer and Xhaka have been excellent in previous matches to rotate down the left but England prevented that.

Phil Foden played an important role in midfield to progress the ball down their right side, finding Bakayo Saka. Getting himself free in space for Kyle Walker or Declan Rice to find.

England found a way in the penalty shootout after Pickford made the save against Akanji, all five spot takers stepped up with each of them having their own stories. Each of them have played a role in England reaching another semi-final. Here is a great thread on the shootout and why they are not just a lottery.

Quite clearly England have kept chances conceded to a minimum in the tournament which matches up with France on the other side of the draw. The struggle for them has been finding their creativity in the final third, instead it’s been clunky and compressed. Players in each others way, lacking width and decisive passing. This was a step forward against Switzerland, only compared to previous matches but they’ll need another step forward against the Netherlands.

Next up for England is to take on the Netherlands in the Semi-finals on the 10th July, 20:00 GMT.

Netherlands 2-1 Turkey

Euro 2024/Quarter Finals

MOTM: Stefan de Vrij

Match Stats:

• xG: 0.92 - 1.69

• xThreat: 1.52 - 1.21

• Possession: 59.1% - 40.9%

• Field Tilt: 71.9% - 28.1%

• Penalty Box Shots: 7 - 9

• Deep Completions: 8 - 7

• PPDA: 10.3 - 11.7

• High Turnovers: 7 - 2

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 22 - 12

The Netherlands setup as we saw in the previous round being dependent on Xavi Simons to connect the dots between the lines. Link their buildup through to the forwards. Gakpo forced to stay wide for width meant he was easier to mark.

They have a very rigid defensive structure with their 3-box-3 setup but struggle to progress the ball well. Whilst that happened, Turkey took advantage of their mistakes, were aggressive in possession and put dangerous balls into the box.

Turkey opened the scoring after the weak-foot cross from Guler finds Akaydin (35’) run to the back post. Pressure from Turkey and ambitious balls in the box paid off. The Netherlands needed to respond.

The Netherlands certainly had chances against Turkey in the first half but they struggled to get Cody Gakpo isolated and needed to provide more threat in behind the back line.

At half-time Weghorst came on and he occupied back line. Gakpo found more space on the left and Dumfries pushed up high on the right. Pushing the back line deeper and opening up more space between the lines for Xavi Simons and Depay to be found.

In the second half the Netherlands eventually got their breakthrough after relentless pressure and waves of attack. Depay put this cross into the box. De Vrij (70’) unmarked leaped into the air for a great header.

They continued to push hard for another goal and it wasn’t long after the first they got their winner. Xavi Simons putting Dumfries through into the box. Cody Gakpo out wide running inside.

Dumfries fires the ball across the box to pick out the run of Cody Gakpo (76’) to put the ball into the net and the Netherlands into the lead. Perhaps a bit of a messy finish as Muldur got credited with the own goal.

The Netherlands have a number of excellent central defenders and De Vrij was not top of everyone’s list heading into the Euros. Plenty of questions why De Ligt or Van de Ven haven’t been started ahead of him but against Turkey he delivered the answer.

The Netherlands and England have both had puzzling performances in this tournament but in the knockout rounds the Dutch have come alive and looked far more creative in the final third. Finding Xavi Simons between the lines and having their two wide threats in Cody Gakpo and Dumfries. England are yet to find that edge in a convincing performance and it’s what the Netherlands will need to stop if they want to reach the final.

Next up for the Netherlands is to take on England in the Semi-finals on the 10th July, 20:00 GMT.

Team of the Round

Here is my team of the Quarter finals round at Euro 2024 with all the standout players in each position. As with every team, there was at least five different players that missed out and every Spain player seems to be in contention!

What are the changes you would make?

If you want to stay up to date with the stat leaders from the tournament then check out the thread linked below. Top scorer, successful take-ons and aerial duels won are just some of the stats included. 👇

LAST WORD👋

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