Spain and Germany, the two most successful European Championship nations, and among the most impressive sides at Euro 2024, come face to face in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Although they have each won three Euro titles, more than any other nation, and have played more games at the European Championship than any other teams, this will only be their fourth meeting at the finals.
The first came in France in 1984, when West Germany were defending champions and drawn in a group with Spain, Portugal and Romania.
They met in the last game, with the Germans top on three points (two points were awarded for a win) while Spain and Portugal had two each.
Spain spurned a great opportunity in the first half when Lobo Carrasco’s poor penalty was easily saved by Harald Schumacher, but with time running out Antonio Maceda’s 90th- minute header put Spain through and sent the Germans home.
West Germany had their revenge four years later on home soil, however, when the sides were drawn in a group with Italy and Denmark and again they met in the final game with the Germans top of the standings.
Spain needed victory to progress, but in Munich they were no match for the hosts and Franz Beckenbauer’s side secured a comfortable 2-0 win thanks to a brace from Rudi Voeller.
The German failed to win the title, however, losing to the Netherlands in the semis, and Spain and Germany did not meet again at the tournament until Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.
Spain had won one title, when they hosted the finals in 1964, while Germany had three in the bag, and they clashed in the final for the first time.
Fernando Torres scored the only goal as Spain clinched their second title, their first major tournament win in over 40 years starting a period of Spanish dominance in football.
They became the first team to retain the European Championship four years later and won their first World Cup trophy in 2010, beating Germany in the semis along the way.
Friday’s game has the feel of an early final with Spain arguably the most exciting team of the to0urnament, and the only one to win all four games, while hosts Germany have impressed more than other pre-tournament favourites.
The winners will be well on course for a record fourth crown.
(REUTERS)