Key events:
As we’ve said two or three gazillion times, one of these teams will play England in the quarter-final on Wednesday. Here are a couple of pieces on a team who have got the country singing Sweet Caroline.
The ladies: not for turning
There was some criticism of Spain’s approach after their 2-0 defeat to Germany, when they had around 70 per cent of the possession but only a couple of shots on target.
Anyone who has followed Spanish football over the past 15 years won’t be surprised to hear that they will be sticking to plan A, now and probably forever.
Finland v Germany is the other game tonight. You can follow that one with Will Unwin.
Team news
There are four changes for Denmark from the 1-0 win over Finland, with Nadia Nadim and Signe Bruun among those left out. Simone Boye Sorensen, Karen Holmgaard, Rikke Marie Madsen and the brilliant teenager Kathrine Kuhl come in for Sara Thrige, Sanne Troelsgaard, Nadim and Bruun.
Just the one change for Spain – Athenea del Castillo replaces Laia Aleixandri. That will mean a slight rejig, with Mariona Caldentey probably dropping into midfield.
Denmark (possible 3-4-3) Christensen; Ballisager, Boye, Sevecke; Thomsen, K Holmgaard, Junge, Veje; Madsen, Harder, Kuhl.
Substitutes: Svane, Nielsen, Thrige, S Troelsgaard, S Holmgaard, Nadim, Larsen, Bredgaard, Gevitz, Bruun, Gejl, Svava.
Spain (possible 4-1-2-3) Panos; Batlle, Paredes, Leon, Ouahabi; Bonmati, Patri, Mariona; S Garcia, L Garcia, Athenea.
Substitutes: Gallardo, Rodriguez, Aleixandri, Andres, Guerrero, Gonzalez, Cardona, Sarriegi, Abelleira, Carmona, Pereira, Pina.
Referee Rebecca Welch (Britain)
Preamble
The knockout phase of Euro 2022 officially begins on Wednesday. In reality, it’s well under way. Austria beat Norway in a Group A eliminator last night, and now Spain play Denmark for the right to meet England in the quarter-finals.
Both teams have beaten Finland and lost to Germany, but Spain’s goal difference is superior so they only need a draw tonight. That makes them very strong favourites to go through. While they are clearly missing the injured Alexia Putellas and Jenni Hermoso, they remain a formidable side who keep the ball better than anyone in the tournament. Spain can be shot-shy at the best of times; tonight, at least while it remains 0-0, they can tiki-taka to their heart’s content.
Denmark, runners up in 2017, have struggled in what is a fiendishly difficult group. They were hammered by Germany and needed a brilliant late save from Lene Christensen to beat Finland in Milton Keynes on Tuesday. But they have a proud record in this competition – one final, five semi-finals – so I’d be loath to write them off. This would be a very good night for Pernille Harder to remind the world of her greatness.
Kick off 8pm.