The GENIUS Way Spain Adapted To Beat Germany

In Euro2024's most anticipated game so far, it was Spain who advanced through to the semi-finals with a dramatic late winner against hosts Germany. But with both team's main route to goal snuffed out by their opponent's tactics, it was Luis de la Fuente's men who managed to adapt their play and find new ways to win. Adam Clery breaks down what their problems where, and how they overcame them.

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[grubslekcin]

So basically two excellent teams managed well and sound fundamentally going toe to toe and each taking advantage of the smallest of mistakes. It was fun to watch. Better than the snooze fest that came later.

[Titantrn]

Merino's "turn around the corner flag" celebration was in homage to his father, who did that very same celebration on that very same pitch.

[GuidoHaverkort]

This was probably the best game of the tournament on a technical level. Not the most excithing but definitely the highest level of football we've seen

[travislevison]

The great thing about these analysis videos is that you accurately cover the minute details when needed, but don’t try too hard to over-analyse and find some extraordinary tactic when it’s not there, you appreciate the simple/intangible things in the game. Great stuff again!

[JackDespero]

Germany were worthy opponents, and if they had won, I would be sad but not disappointed.
I just wished this game would have been the final, because Germany deserved to be runner up, not leave at quarterfinals, they are much better than any other team in the QF.

[fashionkiller]

Such a shame that the best game was not the final. I dont care about winning the tournament that much, but i was so much fun seeing germany play.
After like 8 years of misery and poor spirit, we finally have a mannschaft again. Lets hope they get even better for the next WC.

[matyascorvinus]

Merino one big ace trait is precisely that he is really good on the air not only for a midfielder but any player in general, not only in great heading and decent jumping hability but also the positioning strategy, so i think it was a real clever sub specially given fabian wasnt playing that spectacular

[stephonlutchman]

This was the biggest game in football and most tactical i have seen in years, the Euros is over for me but what a game... i hope they both play again at the world cup semi final in 2026 not the quarter final

[michellemuller]

German here, really enjoy watching your videos and getting insights of the tactics used. You have the perfect mix of explaining them easy to understand yet complex enough to cover everything important:

[oldskoolmusicnostalgia]

Lineker needs to insert a footnote to his quote: "Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, Spain always beats Germany". Germany haven't won against Spain since 1988 except for friendlies!

[michelcharbonnier]

As said in a previous video, this was the Euro's final.
Spain and Germany were and are the two best teams by a lightyear and one just beat out the other and will go on to win the tournament.

[okonalbert]

This was a very highly tactical football game, and i so much loved it

[gabba]

Yes, Kroos played very aggressively and imho he deserved a yellow card for his fouls in the first 10 minutes. However fouls are (unfortunately?) part of the game and a valid method that EVERY team draws when out of better options. Just look at how Mursiala got held and wrestled to see both sides played hard. To say Kroos should or would have been sent off the field is an absurd argument. It implies that one of the best players in the world doesn't adjust his behaviour after receiving a first yellow card and just stupidly continues to get the second. There was no danger of him being sent off, period.

To me, the game was very, very close. In first half and into the second, Spain did better. After the spanish goal in 51', Germany started creating a number of better chances than spain had all game. They finally got lucky and scored out of one of these in 89', but in overtime Spain got their own lucky punch in 119' against a still dominantly pressing Germany. The no-penalty decision at the beginning of overtime was critical, and I cannot understand why it was not even checked by the referee. I do not assume intention, but blocking a shot on target with your arm should be penalized, and while his arm was facing "downwards", it was nowhere near his significantly tilted body, thus increasing the "blocking area". To me, that's a clear penalty that would have changed the game.

Overall, I don't think one side dominated the other. This was a match on eye-level and no side can complain that it was decided basically in a coin flip, which could have went either way. Anybody who says Spain dominated clearly saw a different game than me and imho does the German team injustice. The level was far above anything else I've seen in this tournament, and I hope that Spain can proceed to win the EURO as arguably the best team from the start, but clearly the best team left now in the tournament.

[emilevangheem]

For Spain’s first goal I thought Andrich was still man-marking Fabian Ruiz and that’s why he left that space there in the middle

[JACB]

I am disappointed about your analysis of the winner goal. You make it look like it was luck. Not at all. You have to go back a few seconds and see how Spain recovered the ball that was in possession of Neuer. He passes it with the hand to the nearest player to start from the back and immediately 5 Spanish players initiate a high block pressure (minute 118!!!), as a consequence of which germany losses the ball sending it out. Spain gains the possession in an overcrowded right wing and Carvajal sees the space in the left flank and makes a genius long pass to the left wing of the attack where Cucurella and Olmo are totally free to control, look and make a perfect pass to the box where there are 3 Spanish players (Oyarzabal, Joselu and Merino) entering like rockets overwhelming the defenders. Merino connects an outstanding header to score. The goal is the consequence of an outstanding physical condition of Spain (high pressure with 5 players in minute 118) and exquisite quality in the vision and performance of Carvajal, Olmo and Merino.

[unchangedlolu]

"ruin each other's lives"😂😂😂😂😂😂❤❤I'm weak ASF rn

[mumindanmallam]

Excellent analysis as always Clery Sir

[EmmanuelOnyono]

I loved the game and well done for the analysis bro ❤

[zelandakhniteblade]

You cannot really discuss this game at a strategic level and not mention the impact of referee Anthony Taylor on the proceedings. His unwillingness to show a card to Kroos (pronounced like gross, not cruise) and to a lesser extent in the first half Can, combined with an amazing number of obvious additional tactical fouls not being punished, completely stifled the play and is a key factor in the defences being able to get on top. By my reckoning, Toni earned at least 3 yellows in this game. If we had had the young Turkish ref (Halil Umut Meler) in charge of this game, we would for sure have seen a few more cards early on and a more open game thereafter. It is actually quite shocking that UEFA chose Taylor and Orsato, who have been amongst the weakest referees so far this tournament, for the QFs. Hopefully the England-Switzerland game will not be marred by the types of poor decision-making that Daniele has already demonstrated far too often.

[joso]

High quality game but Olmo was the most qualityiest (is that a word?).