Spain has a strong track record in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, having reached the semi-finals in each of their previous five appearances. They are now poised to continue this trend as heavy favorites against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Despite relying on a late equalizer from Abel Ruiz in their final group stage match against Ukraine to secure the top spot in Group B, Spain’s unbeaten run and dominant performances in the tournament so far make them strong contenders to win it all.
Spain’s impressive 17-game unbeaten streak (14 wins and 3 draws) showcases their formidable form. They have achieved ten of these victories by a comfortable margin, which should instill fear in their opponents, particularly Switzerland, who suffered a 4-1 defeat against France in their last match.
Although Switzerland managed to secure a place in the quarter-finals thanks to their goal difference, finishing second in the group means they now face the challenge of a long journey from Cluj.
Switzerland has extra motivation heading into this match. Not only are they determined to reach their first Euro U21 semi-final since 2011, but they also seek revenge against Spain, who defeated them in the previous edition of the tournament.
Switzerland has a poor historical record against Spain (one win, one draw, and four losses), but they showed promise in a 3-2 friendly loss earlier this year.
One player to watch is Kastriot Imeri, who scored a goal against Spain in their previous encounter. He will be eager to make amends and add to his two goals in the current tournament.
The history of head-to-head matches between these teams reveals an interesting pattern: in the five previous meetings that produced a winner, the team that scored the opening goal either won without conceding or ended up losing.
Overall, Spain enters the quarter-final clash as the favorite, boasting a strong unbeaten run and a track record of success in the tournament. However, Switzerland is determined to overturn history and exact revenge, making for an exciting and unpredictable match.