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Today, on Tuesday, in the last round of the quarterfinals, we will find out another team that has secured a ticket to the quarterfinals. On the field, two European continent neighbors, the national teams of Spain and France, will clash.
Quarterfinal, Spain - France Time: 22:00 h (Lithuanian time) Stadium: Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)
Head-to-head meetings The national teams of Spain and France have had a total of 26 encounters. Spain celebrated victory 11 times, France 10 times, and in 6 matches, the stronger team could not be determined. This will be the first meeting of the teams in the final stages of the World Cup. These two national teams faced each other three times at the European Championships, with France winning twice (in the 1984 final and the 2000 quarterfinals), while one match ended in a draw (in the group stage in 1996).
The last match, held in March 2001, ended with a 2-1 victory for the Spanish national team.
Statistics and facts
Spain
Having won all three matches, the Spaniards finished first in their group. In the first round, they defeated the World Cup debutant Ukrainian team 4-0, then overcame Tunisia 3-1, and in the decisive match won 1-0 against the Saudi Arabian footballers.
The team scored 3 goals each for Fernando Torres, 2 for David Villa, and one each for Raul, Xabi Alonso, and Juanito. They scored 8 goals and only conceded one.
Spain has never managed to cross the quarterfinal stage barrier in the last nine World Cups, but more successful performances in the European Championships have given them a good name, although they have not fully displayed their abilities.
Since taking over as head coach, L. Aragones, Spain has not lost in 25 matches, but they are still short of the record of 31 unbeaten matches between October 1994 and January 1998. The number of undefeated matches in all-time World Cups is 13 matches. This record was achieved by the Brazilian national team in the 1958-1966 championships.
In matches against Tunisia and Ukraine, Spain earned 11 penalties. In total, they have earned 13 such penalties and converted all of them.
In the match against the Tunisian national team, the most experienced Spanish footballer, Raul, scored his fifth goal for the national team and entered the top twenty players who have scored three or more goals in the World Cup. His 44 goals in international matches are an absolute Spanish record. Notably, this player turns 29 on June 27.
France
France collected 5 points in the group stage, finishing second. At the beginning of the championship, they drew 0-0 against Switzerland, then 1-1 against South Korea, which complicated their situation a bit, but in the last match, they did their job and defeated the Togo national team 2-0, advancing to the next stage. This French victory in the final group game against Togo ended a streak of 5 consecutive matches without a win in the World Cup.
France scored only 3 goals: Thierry Henry scored twice, and Patrick Vieira scored once, but they conceded only once.
After losing the first match of 2006 against Slovakia, they followed with 4 wins and 2 draws. In those six matches, France kept their goal "dry," not conceding more than one goal in any of the six matches.
In the match against the Togo national team, defender Lilian Thuram played his 117th match for the national team, breaking Marcel Desailly's record. The football player made his debut for the national team in a friendly match against the Czech Republic in 1994.
Striker Thierry Henry has scored the most goals (35) for the French national team, but he is still short of Michel Platini's record of 41 goals. The London "Arsenal" forward scored a goal in the match against the Togo national team and is now second on the list of the most prolific forwards in the history of French national at the World Cup. He tied with Michel Platini and surpassed both players, Just Fontaine, who scored 13 times in the World Cup.
Players and coaches' thoughts before the match
"Our game is improving, and I believe we will continue to do so," said French national team coach Raymond Domenech. "This does not mean that we want to play the perfect match. It will be on July 9 in the final."
"I don't believe that age will be a factor in deciding the fate of the game, but experience can," said defender Sagnol on Monday. "We are well prepared for these matches and should be grateful for the wonderful work of Roberto Duverne."
"This is the first time I celebrate my birthday during the championship since we usually were eliminated earlier, by June 24 or 25," said Real Madrid forward Raul. "But tomorrow I will forget all personal matters and focus only on the team and the game. A great way to celebrate would be with a victory."
"The coach must review even the smallest details that determine the game, and I want us to do one thing - control the game," said L. Aragones at the press conference.
Spanish national team forward David Villa said, "France will certainly be resilient, but they finished second in their group, which means there was another team better than them."
Forward Fernando Torres said, "I think our opponents should be worried that they faced Spain at this stage already."
Players Both teams do not have any injured players, but the coaches still have to decide who to include in the lineup given the many famous players at their disposal.
Luis Aragones could include Cesc Fabregas in the starting lineup, who would replace Marcos Senna in the midfield, and team captain Raul could take Luis Garcia's place and play in attack alongside Fernando Torres and David Villa.
French coach Raymond Domenech may once again choose Eric Abidal and Zinedine Zidane, who didn't play in the last match due to disqualifications, so he will have to decide whether Thierry Henry will play alone in the attack or will be partnered with David Trezeguet.
Predicted starting lineups:
Spain (4-3-3): 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 22-Pablo Ibanez, 3-Mariano Pernia; 18-Cesc Fabregas, 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Xavi; 9-Fernando Torres, 7-Raul, 21-David Villa. Coach: Luis Aragones
France (4-5-1): 16-Fabien Barthez; 19-Willy Sagnol, 15-Lilian Thuram, 5-William Gallas, 3-Eric Abidal; 4-Patrick Vieira, 6-Claude Makelele, 22-Franck Ribery, 10-Zinedine Zidane, 7-Florent Malouda; 12-Thierry Henry. Coach: Raymond Domenech
