Paul Merson's predictions for Spain vs Germany and other Euro 2024 quarterfinal fixtures
England almost made my prediction go wrong, what a game it turned out to be! Gareth Southgate was 30 seconds away from the sack before Jude Bellingham's worldie, but now, he's three wins away from being knighted!
Spain vs Germany is definitely the standout fixture of the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, while France's showdown against Portugal has also emerged as a highly-anticipated clash. The Netherlands produced their best performance of the tournament against Romania, but will they be able to come up trumps against a resilient Turkiye side?
And as for England, who slithered and skated over the line after being pegged back by Slovakia - will they finally come together as a team or will Switzerland produce the shock of the tournament so far?
Spain vs Germany
Spain have been the best team in the competition at Euro 2024 so far. While they've put on some fantastic displays, I have some reservations about them. When they were 1-0 down against Georgia, they were a bit open and a better team would have punished them on the day.
That said, their wingers have been great, with Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams emerging as some of the most exciting players in the competition. Germany, on the other hand, are a lot more machine-like and attack with more cohesion. They go forward and defend as a team, while Spain tend to leave themselves a bit short at the back.
Home advantage is massive and this game also sees two of the best holding midfielders in the world go head to head in Rodri and Toni Kroos, so it's going to be an exciting contest. I think this will be a really tight game as there isn't much between the two teams, but I think Germany will win on penalties.
Leroy Sane started ahead of Florian Wirtz in Germany's previous game and I expect the Bayern Munich attacker to keep his place in the team. He's got a bit more pace and could emerge as the X-factor on the night. Spain will see a lot more of the ball so when Germany get it, they'll look to find Sane on the break to take the game to the opposition.
My problem with Spain is that Alvaro Morata hasn't really got going at Euro 2024. He's scored just one goal and has dropped in and out of games, which is becoming a bit of a worry. Germany and their fans will have to be patient as I think this will be decided on penalties.
Prediction: Spain 1-1 Germany after ET (Germany to win on pens)
Portugal vs France
This is such a hard one to call as there is not much between the two sides. In the Round of 16, France were much better than Belgium but scored a bit of a lucky goal to prevail by the narrowest of margins. How many shots did they have that night? They dominated proceedings but couldn't hit a barn door - luckily it didn't come back to haunt them.
Kylian Mbappe's nose injury has led to him wearing a mask for the past two games. I'm not sure if that is proving to be a bit of a hindrance, but he has earned that reputation where he is the focus of every opposition sides' team talk, so he generally tends to be marked out of games.
As for Portugal, they need to be careful as they tend to leave themselves open at the back. In the game against Slovenia, I can't for the life of me understand why Roberto Martinez decided to bring off Vitinha. He was one of their best players on the pitch and once he went off, Portugal stopped playing. Any of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes or Bernardo Silva could have been substituted, which I felt was a shocking decision.
I love Pepe but he well and truly looks like he's 41 - if he makes that mistake he committed with Benjamin Sesko to Mbappe, Marcus Thuram or any other French attacker, turn the lights off.
Ronaldo missed a penalty but scored in the shootout - that just sums the man up. There's been a lot of chatter that he should lose his spot in the starting XI, but he's playing whatever happens - there's no doubt about it. That said, the Ronaldo situation plays into France's hands and the likes of William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano will want to play against this version of him.
Prediction: Portugal 0-2 France
England vs Switzerland
Everyone is telling me Switzerland are going to win but I just can't see it happening. England still carry the reputation of being a very good team and I doubt Switzerland will play against them the way they did against Italy or the other teams.
England haven't gelled well so far, but they aren't Italy! I can't see Switzerland having a go at Gareth Southgate's team so I expect them to get the job done and march into the semis.
Marc Guehi is suspended and I have a funny feeling Gareth will play Kyle Walker as a central defender, with Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back. They have other like-for-like replacements like Lewis Dunk, Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez, but I think Gareth always plays it safe, so he'll go with the players who have delivered for him before instead of throwing inexperienced lads into the deep end.
Ivan Toney played the other day because they needed a goal with a few minutes left on the clock. It was horses for courses on that day but it is different from starting games, so I can't see them making too many changes. For the same reason, I think the impressive Cole Palmer will have to settle for a place on the bench, unless Bukayo Saka is deployed at left-back, of course.
It'll be an absolute joke if Switzerland win this one, but I just can't see it happening.
Prediction: England 2-0 Switzerland
Netherlands vs Turkiye
Turkiye goalkeeper Mert Gunok's save in the dying embers of the Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash against Austria is one of the best I've ever seen, it was absolutely unreal. They are a decent side who defend well and are also a massive threat when it comes to set-pieces, as the Austrians found out the hard way. Arda Guler is a player I've been really impressed by - how is this kid just 19? He's running the show for Turkiye and can pick a pass, while he's also got a wand of a left foot!
The Netherlands, on the other hand, played their best game of the tournament, but it was against a Romanian side that punched above its weight to reach the knockout stages. Cody Gakpo has been Ronald Koeman's main man - he has emerged as the top scorer at Euro 2024 and has been absolutely outstanding on the left wing.
At Liverpool, he tends to get overshadowed by the likes of Mohamed Salah and the other attackers, but for his national team, he sort of relishes the role of being one of their leading men in attack. Gakpo has undoubtedly been one of the best players at Euro 2024 and ran the show against Romania with a goal and an assist.
Unlike the other games, this is very much a heads or tails football matches. I wouldn't be shocked whatever the outcome is, but I once again think this will be decided on penalties.
Prediction: Netherlands 1-1 Turkiye after ET (Turkiye to win on pens)