Kickoff chronicles

Spain vs Germany

The first of the two thrilling Quarter final ties had the hosts Germany playing an exciting Spanish team at the Stuttgart Arena. The first half finished goalless but was still a great watch. The best chance of the half was when German striker Kai Havertz chested down a ball from Antonio Rudiger that he played inside his own half. The Arsenal man turned and hit the ball on the volley, drawing a solid save from Unai Simon who was between the sticks for Spain. The half finished 0-0 with neither side able to convert one of their own chances.

The second period saw Spain take an early lead, with Dani Olo finding the bottom corner with only 50 minutes on the clock. Alvaro Morata played a ball to wonderkid Lamine Yamal who had made a run down the right wing. The Barca winger dribbled with the ball before playing it across the penalty area for Olmo to bury into the far corner. In the next half an hour, Germany had 2 great chances to tie the game. The first came when Niclas Fulkrug slid in to poke Florian Writz’s cross home, but his effort was denied only by the woodwork. The second one came when Unai Simon played the ball out from a goal kick. It was a terrible hit, as he watched his weak effort fall into the path of Havertz with all Simon’s defenders pushed up. With Simon running out to make amends for his error, Havertz thought he might be able to chip it over him. His effort was decent, but not decent enough as it floated over the crossbar and onto the roof of the net. With possibly one of their last chances of the game, Germany found their desired equaliser. Maximilian Mittelstadt whipped in a ball from the left wing. At the back post was Joshua Kimmich who headed it down, praying that someone could make any sort of contact towards goal. His prayers were answered when it fell directly to Florain Writz who volleyed the ball into the bottom left corner, sending the game into extra time with the score 1-1.

Germany dominated the first 15 minutes of added time, coming so close to scoring in the 105th minute when Writz saw his effort from outside the penalty area just graze wide of the post. With just 4 minutes left to play, Jamal Musiala had to watch as his shot from outside the penalty area struck the wrist of Spanish defender Marc Cucurella. Referee Anthony Taylor had a good look at the incident and he waved away the German penalty appeals. Almost seconds later Spanish keeper Simon was drawn back into action when he had to palm away a Fulkrug header. Then, with just 30 seconds on the clock, Spain nicked it at the death. Dani Olmo crossed in a ball from the left wing which was met by a spectacular leaping header from Mikel Merino. He jumped up so high, with no German defender able to match his leap. With the final whistle imminent, Musiala tried to create one last attack for the hosts with a run down the left wing. Dani Carvajal had been booked already, meaning he would miss the next game as he received a yellow card against Georgia as well. The Real Madrid centre back took one for the team, wrestling down Musiala before being given his marching orders. Spain held out for the remaining seconds, winning 2-1 after extra time. It is the first time Spain have ever beaten a host in the knockouts of a major tournament and they will now progress on to play either France or Portugal. It ends in disappointment for Germany, as they fall at the Quarter finals in their own tournament. 

France vs Portugal

The next final worthy last 8 game saw a replay of the 2016 Euros final with France taking on Portugal. Both teams have not conceded many goals all tournament but have also had troubling converting in recent games. The first half was end to end but it was light on in big chances. Portugal dominated France, just failing to find the finishing touch inside the penalty area. The best opportunity came when Bruno Fernandes received the ball outside the penalty area. The Manchester United midfielder drilled it towards Mike Maignan’s goal, watching as it caught a slight deflection off French centre back William Saliba before bouncing just shy of the far post and out for a corner. The half finished 0-0 but Portugal were playing much better than France in the tie. 

Portugal continued their so far dominant display when they conjured up a couple of chances in the first 15 minutes of the second period. The first came when Joao Cancelo released Fernandes into the penalty area. The midfielder opted for power over placement, drawing a solid save from Maignan. Then 2 minutes later, Portugal looked to find the back of the net again when Rafael Leo made a dancing run into the penalty area. He looked up and squared it to Vithina whose effort was punched away by Maignan. It pinballed around the 6 yard area before Cristiano Ronaldo attempted to score via a back-heel. Ronaldo too was denied by the French shot stopper, watching from behind as his backheel hit the chest of Maignan before bouncing out for a corner. France then strung together some quality chances in the next 20 minutes. Randel Kolo Muani had to watch his volleyed effort be deflected by Ruben Dias and just 3 minutes later, every French fan had their head in their hands after Eduardo Camavinga missed from point blank range. Ousmane Dembele came so close as well, just previously coming on as a sub. He made a run down the right wing before he cracked a shot, with every Portugal fan’s heart in their throat as his effort nicked the top right corner of the post and flew out for a goal kick. At full time it finished 0-0 with a big 30 minutes to play for both previous winners.

Extra time was fairly even with both sides running on low tanks. It was end to end and the best chance happened to be the final chance in the 119th minute. Bernardo Silva received the ball from Nuno Mendes with acres of space just outside the penalty area. He dallied on the ball for too long and let the French defenders sprint back. Silva then squared it across the 18 yard box to Mendes who had continued his run. The PSG full back connected with the ball well, watching as the so far brick wall in Maignan dived to save it and take the game into a spot kick shootout. 

Taking the first penalty in the shootout was France’s Ousmane Dembele. The PSG star dispatched it calmly, rolling it down the right side of the goal and fooling Portuguese keeper Diogo Costa. Ronaldo was chosen to take Portugal’s first, drilling it into the bottom left corner. Youssouf Fofana then scored for France with ice in his veins, rolling the ball down the middle of the goal. Silva then blasted his penalty into the top right corner for Portugal, levelling things once again. Jules Konde then continued the 100 percent record in the shootout, smashing the ball into the top left corner. The first player to miss from 12 yards was Portugal’s Joao Felix, agonisingly watching his effort fizz along the turf and rattling the woodwork. Bradley Barcola then jumped on Felix’s miss when he placed his penalty the right side of Costa, showing no nerves whatsoever. Nuno Mendes then kept Portugal in the game when he smashed his penalty into the roof of the net, knowing a miss would send them home. Theo Hernadez was France’s 5th penalty taker, given the kick that could potentially take them into the final 4. He converted it brilliantly, blasting it into the top left corner and winning the game for France. He set up a star studded semi final game against Spain with what was a perfect penalty. It was not a great performance from France, much like the rest of their tournament as they have still failed to score from open play after 5 games and their goal tally sits at a drab 3. It ends in heartbreak for Portugal as they fail to give Ronaldo and Pepe a trophy winning send off. They will start preparations for the World Cup in 2026.

Written by Ollie Wade