With the semi-finals approaching, the 2024 European Football Championship is nearing its end. Spain and France will kick off the semi-finals on Tuesday, July 9, competing for a spot in the final. Both countries are fiercely seeking a new European Championship title and will give their all to advance. Read everything about this match here.
Spain – France
These two countries played their first head-to-head match at the 1984 European Championship. In the final in Paris, it was 2-0 for the French, with goals from Platini and Bellone. Since then, the teams have faced each other 35 more times, making a total of 36 matches. Of those, France won 13 times, Spain won 16 times, and 7 matches ended in a draw. Spain has scored 15 more goals in total than their opponent.
The last match was another final, this time in the 2021 Nations League. Referee Anthony Taylor, who is also active during this European Championship, officiated France’s victory. At the legendary San Siro in Milan, Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain ahead first, but Benzema soon equalized. Kylian Mbappé secured France’s win 10 minutes before the end.
Spain
Spain has already managed to prevent Germany from extending its lead as the country with the most European Championship titles. In the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart, Spain won 2-1. Just after halftime, Spain took the lead with a well-placed header from Dani Olmo, and after an equalizer in the 89th minute, Mikel Merino set the final score in the last minute of extra time. Exit Toni Kroos, and Spain advances to the next round.
It could have gone differently: Florian Wirtz equalized in the 89th minute, but the Germans had more chances than the Spaniards. Other statistics, such as possession percentage and passing accuracy, were also very close. This pre-final was not a convincing victory for Spain. To defeat France, and perhaps later England or the Netherlands, they will need to step up their game.
Spain can already look back on a successful European Championship. As the only group winner without losing any points, they defeated Croatia and Italy, and also eliminated Georgia in the previous round. The Spanish team is performing exceptionally well but remains ambitious. In 2012, they defended their 2008 European Championship title, and they would like to experience such a successful period again.
One of Spain’s key players in this quest is Lamine Yamal. The young player is still looking for his first goal but is tied with Xavi Simons at the top of the assist list. Along with Nico Williams, the fast winger from Athletic Club, the Spanish attack is quick and agile.
France
Les Bleus delivered the knockout blow to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, advancing to the semi-finals after a penalty shootout. Despite a total of about 35 shots, including 9 on target, neither team scored during regular time or extra time. The match had to be decided by penalties, which France won 3-5.
In this match, the advantage was slightly in favor of Portugal, as the Portuguese controlled the game with about 60% possession and 93% passing accuracy. However, it was the French who posed more threats on goal with more shots. Whether the best team won is up to you to decide. Nonetheless, it is clear that France needs to do more to get past Spain.
Unlike Spain, France dropped points in the group stage with the Netherlands and Austria and did not finish in first place. As a result, they played Belgium in the round of 16, eliminating them 1-0 from the European Championship. A match later, they faced Portugal.
Remarkably, France reached the semi-finals without scoring a single field goal. Their goals came only from penalties or own goals by the other team. Star player Kylian Mbappé has received much criticism as he has scored only once, from the penalty spot. To become the top scorer of this European Championship, he needs to score at least 3 more goals.
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