Anthony Taylor to Referee Germany vs Spain Quarter-Final
The Englishman Anthony Taylor has been appointed as the referee for the highly anticipated quarter-final match between Germany and Spain in the European Championship. This will be Taylor's third appearance in the tournament, having previously officiated the group matches between France and the Netherlands, and Belgium and Ukraine. Both of these matches ended in 0-0 draws, and Taylor received good ratings for his performance, issuing only three yellow cards in total.
Taylor's appointment could be seen as a positive omen for the German team. In the past, the 45-year-old referee has overseen two matches involving Germany, both of which ended in victories for the DFB team. In 2021, Germany defeated Portugal 4-2 in a European Championship group match under Taylor's leadership, and last September, they achieved a 2-1 victory in a friendly against France. Spain, on the other hand, has a balanced record under Taylor with two wins and two losses. Their last encounter with him, however, ended in a 1-2 defeat against France in the 2021 Nations League final.
Quarter-Final Matches to Watch
The quarter-finals of the Euro 2024 kick off today with two thrilling matches. Germany, the host country, will face Spain at 6 p.m. in Stuttgart. This match is expected to be the toughest test yet for Nagelsmann's eleven. Later in the evening, at 9 p.m., France will take on Portugal in Hamburg. The French team, known as the Blues, aims to qualify for the semi-finals after eliminating Belgium in the round of 16 with a last-minute goal. Portugal reached the quarter-finals by defeating Slovenia in a penalty shootout.
Both Germany and Spain have shown strong performances in the tournament so far. Germany eliminated Denmark in the previous round with a 2-0 victory, while Spain has won all its matches, including a commanding 4-1 win over Georgia. Fans are eagerly anticipating these high-stakes matches as the teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals.
- Anthony Taylor, a former prison guard, has been a Premier League referee for 14 years and has been officiating full-time since 2012. He joined the FIFA list in 2013 and is highly respected for his calm demeanor and good communication on the field. Taylor attributes his effective communication skills to his previous job, where he learned to deal with different types of people.
- Taylor gained notoriety last year after fans of AS Roma blamed him for their defeat in the Europa League final against FC Sevilla. The situation escalated to the point where Taylor was harassed at the airport. Despite the criticism, Taylor did not make any game-deciding mistakes in that match. His reputation remains intact, and he continues to be a trusted figure in the world of football refereeing.
