Spain and Germany will go head to head on Tuesday night for a spot in the semi-finals of the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League.

Germany are currently in charge of first position in League A Group 4, with Joachim Low's side sitting one point clear of second-placed Spain, who need to win in Seville to advance.

La Roja will enter Tuesday's mouthwatering contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, where Sergio Ramos incredibly missed two penalties for Luis Enrique's side.

Germany, though, ran out 3-1 winners over Ukraine on Saturday, with Leroy Sane and Timo Werner (2) both on the scoresheet for the four-time World Cup winners.

Both teams are building towards next summer's European Championships, but there is no question that they will be determined to advance to the Nations League Finals.

Some of Europe's biggest talents will be on display in this game and with that in mind, Sports Mole picks a combined XI from both squads, using only players available for the contest.

Enrique has made the decision to start Unai Simon between the sticks for Spain's last two internationals, and it would not be a surprise to see the 23-year-old keep his spot on Tuesday, despite the presence of a certain David de Gea. The fact that De Gea is unlikely to start this game means that it was not a difficult decision to pick the goalkeeper, with Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer taking the spot in this particular XI. The 34-year-old is still an inspirational figure for club and country and remains one of the best stoppers in the world.

The absence of Joshua Kimmich through injury means that Matthias Ginter is expected to again feature at right-back for Germany on Tuesday, but the spot in this side goes to Spain's Sergi Roberto, who has benefitted from Dani Carvajal's absence for the national team. There is also a Spaniard at left-back, with Sergio Reguilon getting the nod over Philipp Max in what was a fairly routine decision taking everything into consideration.

Sergio Ramos might have missed two penalties against Switzerland on Saturday, but the centre-back became the most capped European international player of all time in the same match and absolutely sails into the XI. Ramos is seemingly on the verge of agreeing a new contract with Real Madrid, and there is no downplaying the importance of the 34-year-old to club and country. Pau Torres should again partner Ramos on Tuesday, but the spot in this side goes to Germany's Niklas Sule, who has now fully recovered from a serious knee injury and is on his way to becoming one of the top central defenders in European football.

A midfield three consists of one German and two Spaniards. Toni Kroos missed out against Ukraine through suspension, but the Real Madrid pass master is available for this match and should return to the XI. There have been question marks surrounding his form at club level this season, but Kroos was never in danger of missing out here. Sergio Busquets and Fabian Ruiz, meanwhile, are also included. Busquets remains an outstanding defensive midfielder and is needed for balance in this side, while Fabian is currently one of the most in-demand midfielders in European football, and it appears that Napoli will struggle to keep him on a long-term basis with Barca and Real Madrid both said to be admirers.

It would be fair to say that Enrique has not managed to settle on a first-choice attack thus far, and it was difficult to leave out Mikel Oyarzabal, who has been excellent for Real Sociedad this season. A fit and firing Marco Asensio would have been a serious option for this side, but the Real Madrid attacker was not even in the squad against Switzerland, and it is unclear whether he will be involved on Tuesday night.

As a result, an all-German front three sees Timo Werner joined by Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane. Werner struck a brace against Ukraine on Saturday and has also been in strong form for Chelsea during the 2020-21 campaign, managing eight goals in 12 appearances, including three in three Champions League outings.

Bayern duo Gnabry and Sane are also deserving of their positions in the side. The former has 14 goals in 15 caps at international level, while he has netted four goals in six Bundesliga appearances this term. Sane, meanwhile, has managed four strikes and two assists in seven outings at club level this season and netted his fifth international goal against Ukraine, levelling the scores at a vital stage of the match.

Written by
Matt Law