Different Journeys to the Semifinal
A mammoth showdown between two titans of world football is on the cards as Spain and France clash on Tuesday in the UEFA Euro 2024 semifinals. La Roja and Les Bleus have had vastly different journeys in the tournament so far, but now, both teams are just a match away from featuring in the showpiece final on Sunday.
Spain’s Dominant Run
Spain has looked absolutely imperious since the start of this competition. Luis de la Fuente’s men were placed in Group B, alongside reigning Euro winners Italy, major tournament dark horses Croatia, and Albania. The three-time Euro winners not only topped their group without dropping a single point but also did so without conceding a goal.
Despite finally conceding in the round of 16 against debutant side Georgia, Spain quickly regained control to score four times without reply, setting up a mouth-watering clash in the quarter-finals against Euro hosts Germany. Like Spain, Germany has won this competition three times and was expected to present the toughest opposition for La Roja in a quarter-final tie that many felt would have the air of a final.
Fans and neutrals alike were entertained as the two most successful teams in European Championship history battled for tactical supremacy over 90 minutes. Dani Olmo’s early second-half goal was the only difference separating the two teams until Florian Wirtz’s late goal restored parity for Germany and pushed the match into extra time. The clash appeared to be heading to penalties until substitute Mikel Merino, who came on in the 80th minute for Nico Williams, powered a 119th-minute header home to snatch victory for Spain. Despite controversy over a handball in the build-up, the goal stood, and Spain has now won all five matches in this competition. A win against France would make Spain the first team to win six consecutive Euro matches at the same tournament.
France’s Resilient but Unconvincing Path
France, on the other hand, has had a rather dull showing so far but is nonetheless into the semi-finals. Remarkably, they have yet to score a goal from open play, despite qualifying for the round of 16 as runners-up in their group. Didier Deschamps’s squad failed to fire during a 1-0 win over Austria, picking up all three points following an own goal. They played out a scoreless stalemate against the Netherlands and secured a point against an already-eliminated Poland on matchday three, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a penalty.
In a highly-hyped battle against Portugal in the round of 16, it was France’s defense and shot-stopper Mike Maignan who shone, shutting down any offensive attempts by their opponents over 120 minutes before securing victory on penalties to book their spot in the semifinals.
Les Bleus’ pragmatic style has drawn criticism, but Deschamps seems focused on reaching Sunday’s final. However, they face a formidable opponent in Spain, who have won 15 of their last 19 games across all competitions and have consistently found the back of the net throughout this tournament. No team—Croatia, Italy, Albania, Georgia, or Germany—has managed to keep Spain from scoring, and France will likely face sustained pressure from the start.
The Final Countdown
Will Les Bleus successfully stop this Spanish juggernaut? Or will La Roja steamroll past yet another opponent to take on either the Netherlands or England in the UEFA Euro 2024 finals on Sunday? All eyes will be on this epic clash as two of football’s greatest teams battle for a spot in the final.