EURO 2024: THE STAT THAT SCARES SPAIN BEFORE THE QUARTER AGAINST GERMANY

Spain, who have been flawless since the start of the Euro, will face Germany on Friday in the first quarter-final (6 p.m.). Problem: La Roja has never beaten the host country of a major international competition.

Four wins in four games, goals, an attractive team, and the bookmakers’ favour. On paper, Spain has what it takes to approach its clash against Germany, Friday in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 (6 p.m.), with confidence. Which is what La Roja is doing, if we are to believe the slightly arrogant statements of its coach Luis de la Fuente or Joselu, who hopes to send Toni Kroos into “retirement” this week. But among some observers, a little wind of panic is being felt. Because of… a terrible statistic. Or even a “curse”.

Indeed, La Roja will face the host country of a major international competition (Euro and World Cup) on Friday for the tenth time in its history. However, it has never managed to win a single one of the first nine matches of this kind.

Never nine without ten?

This black streak began at the 1934 World Cup, with a quarter-final defeat against Italy in Florence, in a replay (1-0). And never stopped. This was followed by a thrashing against Brazil at the Maracana in Rio in the final group of the 1950 World Cup (6-1), a draw and elimination against Italy in Florence in the first round of Euro 1980 (0-0), a defeat against France at the Parc des Princes in the final of Euro 1984 (2-0) with the famous “Arconada”, a setback against West Germany in Munich in the first round of Euro 1988 (2-0), a defeat on penalties against England at Wembley in the quarter-finals of Euro 1996 (0-0, 4 pens 2), a penalty shootout elimination against South Korea in Gwangju during the 2002 World Cup (0-0, 5 pens 3), a defeat against Portugal in Lisbon in the first round of Euro 2004 (1-0), and a new penalty shootout elimination against Russia in Moscow in the last 16. 2018 World Cup final (1-1, 4 tab 3).

But if the Spanish can fear a tenth disappointment in a row against the host country, the Germans also have their “fear stat”. Since the victory of the FRG at Euro 1988, Germany has never again beaten the Roja in a major tournament, remaining on two draws and two defeats, including the final of Euro 2008 and the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup. Suffice to say that a series is soon coming to an end.