Spain vs France – Euro 2024 semi-final preview | OneFootball

Spain meet France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 this evening as the two teams battle for a place in the decider.

Here is everything you need to know about their semi-final in Munich.

Form

Spain: WWWWW

Spain have emerged as favourites to win Euro 2024 with La Roja comfortably the most impressive team in the tournament so far. While fellow semi-finalists France, England and the Netherlands have all had unconvincing performances, Spain have won all five fixtures and have rarely looked troubled.

Their quarter-final with Germany was a tough test but one passed, as Mikel Merino’s extra-time winner sent Spain through. Dani Olmo, who had scored the opener, picked out the midfielder to head home in the closing seconds of the added period.

Spain are on their longest winning run (7) since a 12-game sequence between 2009 and 2010 and are bidding to become the first-ever team to win six consecutive games at a European Championship. La Roja, who are aiming for a record-breaking fourth trophy, have overseen a stylistic shift under Luis de la Fuente with less emphasis on possession dominance and increased transition threat provided by the brilliant wing-pairing of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.

Pedri’s tournament is over with Olmo set to replace the injured Barcelona midfielder, while experienced duo Jesus Navas and Nacho are expected to come in for the suspended Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand. Navas, at 38, is incredibly 22 years older than teammate Lamine Yamal.

France: WDDWD

France are into the semi-finals but the pre-tournament favourites have not lived up to that billing. Les Bleus beat Portugal on penalties in the quarter-finals and remain without a goal from open play by a French player in the tournament.

Didier Deschamps’ side have scored three times in five games, through two own goals and a Kylian Mbappe penalty. Fortunately, their defence has been formidable with only a Robert Lewandowski penalty having breached their backline.

Mbappe’s broken nose appears to have impacted the captain’s performances and France’s forwards are failing to fire. Neither Marcus Thuram or Randal Kolo Muani have taken their chance in the team, while the experienced Olivier Giroud offers an alternative.

Adrien Rabiot returns from suspension in a boost to the midfield, as France look to overcome a poor recent record against Spain. Les Bleus have lost five of the last eight encounters between the teams in all competitions.

Last Meeting

Spain 1-2 France, 10th October 2021, UEFA Nations League final

France were crowned winners of the 2021 UEFA Nations League after coming from behind to beat Spain at the San Siro.

Kylian Mbappe scored a controversial winner, with the forward deemed onside to fire past Unai Simon. Mbappe had begun the move in an offside position but a touch from Spain defender Eric Garcia was deemed deliberate to play the Frenchman onside.

Mikel Oyarzabal had put Spain ahead in the final before Karim Benzema’s brilliant equaliser kickstarted the French comeback.

Predicted Lineups

Spain: Simon: Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri, Ruiz: Yamal, Morata, Williams.

France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Griezmann; Kolo Muani, Mbappe.

Who is the referee?

Slavko Vincic (Slovenia).

What channel is Spain vs France on?

BBC Once. The game can also be streamed via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport app.

What time is kick-off?

8 pm BST.

Odds

Spain – 17/10

Draw – 9/5

France – 21/10

Read – Euro 2000 – Zidane’s zenith as France reign supreme

See more – Euro 2008 – Xavi and Spain’s pass masters finally end decades of underachievement

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