Olympics: Spain vs. Germany – prediction, team news, lineups
A bronze medal will be on the line when Spain Women and Germany Women face off at the Groupama Stadium at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Spain lost out to Brazil in an entertaining semi-final clash, while Germany are left battling for third spot following an extra-time defeat to the USA.
Match preview
Spain may have entered the tournament as Olympic debutants, but they would have had high hopes of winning gold after lifting the World Cup in 2023.
Their gold medal dreams appeared to be alive when they fought back from two goals down to beat Colombia on penalties in the quarter-final stage.
However, their bid to achieve Olympic glory was ultimately crushed by a 4-2 defeat in Tuesday's semi-final against Brazil, with Spain trailing 2-0 at the break for the second game in a row.
In contrast to their quarter-final clash with Colombia, La Roja were unable to pull off a comeback as Salma Paralluelo's late brace ultimately proved to be in vain.
La Roja will have to put that disappointment behind them because they still have the chance to become the 11th different country to win an Olympic medal in the women's football tournament.
Meanwhile, Germany faced the USA for the second time in the competition after they sealed their place in the semi-finals with a penalty shootout win over the reigning Olympic champions Canada.
Horst Hrubesch's side took the USA to extra time in Tuesday's contest as they offered an improved performance from their 4-1 defeat to the Stars and Stripes in the group stage.
However, the encounter still ended in disappointment as Sophia Smith scored an extra-time winner to end Germany's hopes of winning their second gold medal.
While they are unable to replicate their gold medal success of 2016, DFB-Frauen will still be determined to win a medal in the women's Olympic football tournament for the fifth time.
Germany may be able take confidence from the fact they have prevailed in all three of their appearances in the third-place match, winning bronze in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Spain Olympic Games form: WWWWL
Spain form (all competitions): WWWWWL
Germany Olympic Games form: WLWWL
Germany form (all competitions): WWLWWL
Spain vs. Germany odds
With the bronze medal on the line, the bookies see Spain Women as the expected winners with a 51.30% win probability, while Germany Women have a 25.60% win probability.
Spain Women Odds: 19/20 – 51.30% probability
Draw Odds: 13/5 – 27.80% probability
Germany Women Odds: 29/10 – 25.60% probability
Backing Spain to win after leading at half time can bring you odds of 21/10, which is the same as a 32.30% probability. Meanwhile, if you're looking for even bigger odds, you might want to bet on a goalscorer in this game, where the top pick is Jenifer Hermoso at 23/4 odds and a 14.80% probability.
When it comes to popular goal markets for this game, we can see that over 2.5 total goals is priced at 7/10, which is equal to a 58.80% probability. On the other hand, under 2.5 total goals has odds of 57/50 and a 46.70% probability.
Team News
Spain boss Montse Tome may be tempted to make several changes to her side following Tuesday's disappointing performance against Brazil.
Oihane Hernandez and Athenea del Castillo could both be considered for starting spots after being introduced as half-time substitutes in the semi-final.
Laia Aleixandri could be recalled to feature alongside Irene Paredes in central defence, while there could also be starting spots for Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas.
As for Germany, they could be without Alex Popp and Lea Schuller after the pair were missed Tuesday's semi-final due to injury.
Wolfsburg defender Marina Hegering was forced off in the second half against the USA and will now have to be assessed ahead of the bronze medal match.
If Hegering is unable to feature, Hrubesch will have to decide whether to select Bibi or Sara Doorsun-Khajeh as Kathrin Hendrich's centre-back partner.
Spain possible starting lineup: Coll; Hernandez, Paredes, Aleixandri, Batlle; Bonmati, Guijarro, Putellas; Del Castillo, Caldentey Paralluelo
Germany possible starting lineup: Berger; Gwinn, Hendrich, Bibi, Rauch; Lohmann, Nusken, Minge, Buhl; Brand, Anyomi
We say: Spain 1-1 Germany
Spain have struggled in their last two matches, and we think the world champions will be given another tough test in Friday's bronze medal match.
We believe Germany will do enough to take the tie to extra time and penalties where Ann-Katrin Berger would look to produce her heroics from the quarter-final success over Canada.
