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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Marcus Christenson

Euro 2024 power rankings: how the teams in the last eight shaped up

(Clockwise from top left) Spain’s Mikel Merino, Kylian Mbappé of France, the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo and England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
(Clockwise from top left) Spain’s Mikel Merino, Kylian Mbappé of France, the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo and England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Composite: Guardian Picture Desk

1) Spain (–)

They had to come through one hell of a battle against Germany, losing Pedri to injury after eight minutes, but in the end the players stood there, arms aloft, having made the semis thanks to Mikel Merino’s late headed goal. Dani Olmo had said beforehand that the game felt like a final and afterwards it was difficult to comprehend that Spain were not even in the final yet. Against France, they will be without the suspended Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, with Jesús Navas and Nacho Fernández likely to deputise. It could disrupt the selección’s rhythm but they should have the squad to cope with the difficulties. Olmo started on the bench against Germany but in the end was arguably Spain’s best player.

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