The stage is set for a monumental Euro 2024 semifinal as football powerhouses Spain and France collide. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is spearheading Spain’s quest for a record-breaking sixth consecutive Euros victory as they prepare to face France in a highly anticipated showdown this Tuesday.
Match Details at a Glance:
- Teams: Spain vs France
- Competition: Euro 2024 Semifinal
- Venue: Munich Football Arena, Munich, Germany
- Date: Tuesday, July 9
- Kick-off Time: 9pm (CEST) / 19:00 GMT
- Live Coverage: Follow live text commentary and pre-match build-up on Al Jazeera, starting four hours before kick-off.
Football enthusiasts worldwide are bracing for a spectacular semifinal encounter in Euro 2024 as Spain and France, two giants of European football, lock horns. This mouth-watering clash pits the reigning champions against the pre-tournament favorites, promising a tactical masterclass and intense drama.
France boasts the phenomenal talent of Kylian Mbappe, their talismanic forward, while Spain showcases the dazzling skills of young prodigy Lamine Yamal. Despite the star power in their ranks, France’s journey in the tournament hasn’t been entirely smooth, falling slightly short of the overwhelming dominance many predicted.
Spain’s Ascendancy to Semifinals
Spain enters this semifinal as the only team in Euro 2024 with a perfect win record. Their impressive campaign is underpinned by remarkable statistics: joint-top scorer with 11 goals, leading the tournament in total attempts (102), and ball recoveries (230). These figures solidify Spain’s position as a formidable contender and a popular pick to clinch the Euro 2024 title.
France Under Scrutiny Despite Semifinal Berth
Conversely, France has faced criticism for performances that haven’t quite lived up to expectations. Notably, they reached the semifinals without scoring a single goal from open play in their recent matches. This starkly contrasts with their impressive track record in recent World Cups, where they reached the final twice, winning in 2018 and narrowly losing to Argentina in 2022. However, their Euros history under Didier Deschamps is less decorated, with their best result being runners-up on home soil in 2016.
In their quarterfinal match, France narrowly edged out Portugal in a penalty shootout. Concerns linger around the form of Kylian Mbappe, who, since fracturing his nose in the opening game, has appeared somewhat distracted, spending more time adjusting his protective mask than posing a consistent threat to opposing defenses. Adding to the worries is the form of Antoine Griezmann, another key forward whose contributions will be crucial against a strong Spanish side. Spain, in their quarterfinal, demonstrated their strength by defeating host nation Germany in extra time, setting up this high-stakes semifinal clash.
French midfielder Youssouf Fofana addressed the criticisms in a press conference, stating, “I don’t give a damn [about the critics]. We are semifinalists. Questions about the level of Antoine and Kylian? We have to realise that that’s enough to be in the semifinals. So I don’t see why we would nitpick.”
Spain’s Team Composition: Experience Meets Youth
While France grapples with form questions, Spain showcases imperious form with five consecutive victories. However, Spain faces their own challenges with key absences in the semifinal. Midfielder Pedri is sidelined for the remainder of Euro 2024 due to a knee injury sustained in the quarterfinals, and defenders Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal are suspended for the crucial match against France.
In response to these absences, Spain’s lineup will see Nacho partnering Aymeric Laporte in central defense. Adding invaluable experience to the team is 38-year-old fullback Jesus Navas. Navas, a member of Spain’s golden generation, brings a wealth of winning pedigree, having lifted the 2010 World Cup and consecutive Euros titles in 2008 and 2012.
Navas will be instrumental in guiding the youthful exuberance of 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal along the right flank. Yamal has been a revelation in Euro 2024, consistently troubling defenses alongside the slightly older but equally dynamic 21-year-old Nico Williams. This blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents exemplifies the unity and strength within the Spanish squad under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente.
De la Fuente emphasized the team’s collective spirit, telling reporters, “This is everyone’s national team. Unity is strength and if we all keep pushing in the same direction, we can achieve our goals. If we are connecting with our fans, then I am more than happy to play a part in generating enthusiasm.”
The victor of this high-stakes Spain vs France Euro 2024 semifinal will proceed to the final, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal clash between England and Netherlands, scheduled for July 14.
Fun Fact:
Spain stands alone as the only team to win all five of their Euro 2024 matches. Remarkably, no team has ever achieved six consecutive victories in the history of the European Championship.
FIFA Rankings:
Spain: 8
France: 2
Head-to-Head Record: (36 Matches)
Spain Wins: 16
France Wins: 13
Draws: 7
Recent Form (Last Five Matches):
Spain: W-W-W-W-W
France: D-W-D-D-W
Potential Starting Lineups:
Spain: Unai Simon; Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Morata, Williams.
France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Griezmann; Kolo Muani, Mbappe.
Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
