Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has waxed lyrical about one Euro 2024 nation that has “practically” become a “new team” at the tournament in Germany.
Euro 2024 has reached the semi-final stage and Spain will face France at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Tuesday evening, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time.
Spain punched their ticket to the semi-finals with a 2-1 win over host nation Germany in their quarter-final clash at the MHPArena in Stuttgart.
France, meanwhile, dumped out fellow tournament favourites Portugal in the last eight with a penalty shootout win at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.
On the other side of the semi-final bracket, the Netherlands will meet England on Wednesday evening at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund.
England, who are one of the favourites at Euro 2024, overcame a 1-0 deficit against Switzerland to pick up the win on penalties at the Dusseldorf Arena on Saturday.
The Netherlands avoided a shock exit at the hands of Turkey and produced a stunning comeback in the second half to win 2-1 in the quarter-final clash.
Mourinho impressed by one Euro 2024 team
Jose Mourinho made his feelings clear ahead of the tournament over the three teams that were most likely to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy at Euro 2024.
However, even the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager admitted that he overlooked the impact that Spain would have at the tournament.
Spain have not lost a match at this summer’s Euros and comfortably finished top of Group B ahead of Euro 2020 champions Italy.
La Roja swept aside Georgia in the round of 16 in a thumping 4-1 victory before overcoming Germany in extra time in the last eight.
Speaking to Sport TV on Monday, Mourinho said (via the Metro): “I watched [Turkey] with reason and from a professional perspective.
“Every time Turkey won it was a problem for me, and every time Portugal won it was a joy.”
The ‘Special One’ added: “There is always frustration when you feel that you could do better [referring to Portugal’s exit]. The team’s potential was extremely high.
“I wasn’t far off the mark when I said that Portugal, France and England were the favourites. Two of them are in the semi-finals.
“Spain is the biggest surprise for me, in the way the team has evolved, they are practically a new team.
“For me, at the moment, they are the team that plays the best and the one that has played the best throughout the tournament.”
Mourinho on Portugal exit from Euro 2024
Mourinho had waxed lyrical about the potential of the Portugal team ahead of the tournament, with the ‘Special One’ even praising manager Roberto Martinez.
But the 61-year-old Fenerbahce boss admitted that Euro 2016 champions Portugal “wasn’t fantastic” and that they “weren’t convincing” at Euro 2024.
“Portugal wasn’t fantastic, despite reaching the quarter-finals,” Mourinho said.
“We expected more. I was at the National Stadium for the Portugal-Croatia match and it didn’t smell good. I didn’t get a great feeling.
“During the tournament, we were the team that was making progress, but we weren’t convincing.
“Often, when the moment of truth comes, these teams are stronger. This wasn’t the end of Portugal, there wasn’t any improvement in the team.
“But it’s a young team, apart from the two veterans [Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe], a team with years ahead of them. The World Cup is just around the corner.”
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