Spain take on Germany in first quarter-final, Ronaldo vs Mbappe, Bellingham fine

‘The tide is turning’

England and Spain have something in common at Euro 2024.

They have both performed in a completely different manner to the expectations of their home nations.

But where a supposedly strong England side have failed to live up to the title of favourites, Spain have instead done the opposite, delighting their fans with some outstanding and impressive play.

And now the side have the chance to defeat hosts Germany tonight and set up a semi-final clash against either Portugal or France.

Spanish football expert Semra Hunter has explained to talkSPORT just how much the team have surpassed the pre-tournament expectations.

She said: “To be brutally honest with you, I think the expectation was that they’re getting closer, but most people felt quarterfinals, and if we’re lucky, maybe semifinals, there really wasn’t much of a belief that they would go to the finals and win the whole thing. 

“There was still this kind of idea that we’re getting really close, but we’re still maybe one step away, because we have to remember this is a very young team overall. The average age is 26. And so there’s a lot of players who are just really breaking out onto the scene at 16 years old, like Lamine Yamal, for example.

“There’s a lot of youth, but the thing is, they’re so fearless. It’s almost as though this pressure and this expectation maybe of delivering on the big stage, it doesn’t seem to faze them. And I think that’s what’s really surprised so many of us in Spain, because like I said, I don’t think there was really a lot of hope that they would bring back the glory days of 2008, 10, and 12. 

“But now all of a sudden, the tide is turning, and there is absolutely a lot more belief and confidence that it could be the case.”