Spain vs France

Allianz Arena in Munich forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering Euro 2024 semi-final tie between Spain and France.

Following a flawless Group B campaign (W3), Spain – the only team to reach the group stages without conceding a goal – came from behind to dismantle debutants Georgia 4-1 in the Round of 16. La Furia Roja had to survive a nerve-shredding extra-time drama to beat Germany 2-1 in the quarter-finals and secure their second consecutive semi-final appearance at the Euro finals. Seeking their first foray into the title-deciding fixture since famously defending the crown in 2012, Luis de la Fuente’s men head into proceedings on a morale-boosting seven-game winning streak. Since they’ve not conceded more than once in any of those seven triumphs, the Iberian heavyweights will fancy their chances against France – a side they’ve failed to beat in two of their last three competitive meetings (D1, L1).

Despite squeezing past Spain 2-1 in their most recent encounter in the Nations League final in October 2021, France’s last clash against Spain at the Euros didn’t go to plan. Les Bleus couldn’t deal with the Spaniards’ title-winning generation in 2012, folding in the quarter-finals. That 2-0 defeat is one of France’s five scoring blanks in eight matches against Spain since 2008. It’s particularly concerning knowing they’re the only team in European Championships history to reach the semi-finals without scoring from open play. Didier Deschamps’ side have failed to score in two of their five Euro 2024 outings, with two of their three goals netted by an opposition player. Seeking their first appearance in the final since an extra-time loss to Portugal in 2016, the French hope to rediscover their scoring touch in this blockbuster last-four tie.