Spain and France meet in Munich on Tuesday in the first of the two semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2024, with one of these two European giants just one match away from a place in the Berlin final. La Roja have a 100% win record so far, although they needed extra time to beat hosts Germany, while lesson Bleus to be this year’s strongest defensive side, having conceded just once and beaten Portugal on penalties. However, these are perhaps the two strongest teams of the European Championship who will face each other in the battle against England or the Netherlands.
A 2-1 win over the Germans was enough for the Spaniards to book their last four places thanks to goals from Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino either side of Florian Wirtz’s equalizer. Luis de la Fuente’s men are the only side to have won all five matches so far and no team in the history of the European Championship has achieved six wins in one edition or even six consecutive wins. Ball possession is less important than before for Spain and their winning percentage is 15 out of 19 games under De la Fuente, which is impressive. Four of the five Euro semi-finals have ended in victory for La Roja, but penalties saw them eliminated by Italy at this stage of 2020, but a fifth continental final could now wait.
France are chasing a fourth European Championship final, but only the second was played outside their home country. Didier Deschamps set up the 2016 match, which ended in defeat to Portugal, and he will be keen to get revenge for that now that he has defeated the Portuguese. Although the French have been less impressive than the Spaniards, they have been in strong form overall since the 2022 World Cup finals and have shown character to beat Belgium and Portugal after a tough group stage in which they have only yet to face one collect. . Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe is not in his best form and has only scored once, but this French team defeated Spain in the 2021 Nations League final and will be hoping to do so again.
Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Tuesday July 9 | Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Place: Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany
- TV: Fox | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Chances: Spain +175; Sign +180; France +200
How they got here
Spain came out on top in Group B with a 100% winning record that remains intact after playing Georgia in the round of 16 and Germany in the quarter-finals. Should La Roja beat France here, England or the Netherlands will be waiting in the final, but that will be easier said than done against Les Bleus, who have only conceded one goal in five games. The French finished second in Group D before passing Belgium in the round of 16 and then Portugal in the quarter-finals, which required penalties.
Team news
Spain: Three absences will change De la Fuente’s squad, with Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand suspended and Pedri out injured. The latter’s tournament is already over and there was some initial confusion about Alvaro Morata’s eligibility. The captain will be available, but Nacho and Jesus Navas could come into the XI and bring experience, while Dani should be Elmo Pedri’s replacement. Expect to see Morata supported by Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
Possible Spain XI: Simon; Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.
France: Adrien Rabiot should return to the 11th division after his suspension, so Mbappe’s form and fitness are the main concerns for Deschamps ahead of this clash. Mike Maignan is in good form and could shine again behind an untouched defence, with Rabiot replacing Eduardo Camavinga. However, there is some debate in France over whether or not Antoine Griezmann will be dropped due to concerns over his form and fitness for the country where he plies his trade.
Possible France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Griezmann; Kolo Muani, Mbappe.
Prediction
Expect this to be another tight encounter with plenty of tension and very little free-flowing football. It will likely come down to a key moment to decide who reaches the final and France look slightly better at minimizing goals conceded to ensure they can march on without fear. Choose: Spain 0, France 1 (France wins after extra time).
