Portugal vs France EURO 2024 Quarter-Final Preview
Goal-shy France Aims to Prove Critics Wrong Against Spain in Semifinal Showdown
Who: Spain vs France
What: Euro 2024 Semifinals
Where: Munich Football Arena, Munich, Germany
When: 9pm (19:00 GMT) kickoff on Tuesday, July 9
How to Follow: Al Jazeera will provide live text commentary with build-up starting three hours before kick-off.
Spain and France, two giants of European football, are set to clash in a highly anticipated semifinal match. Both teams entered the tournament as favorites, but only one will advance.
Kylian Mbappé will spearhead the French attack, with young winger Lamine Yamal also drawing attention. Despite high expectations, France’s form has been inconsistent, unlike Spain, who are the only team with a perfect record at Euro 2024. Spain leads in goals scored (11), total attempts (102), and balls recovered (230), making them the favorites to win the trophy.
France has faced criticism for their lackluster performances, advancing to the semifinals without scoring in open play. Despite their success in recent World Cups, their Euro record under coach Didier Deschamps is less impressive. In the quarterfinals, France narrowly defeated Portugal on penalties, with Mbappé’s performance under scrutiny after sustaining a broken nose.
Midfielder Youssouf Fofana dismissed the critics, stating, “We are semifinalists. Questions about Antoine and Kylian? We have to realize that that’s enough to be in the semifinals. So I don’t see why we would nitpick.”
Spain’s Form and Challenges
Spain, in contrast, is in excellent form with five consecutive wins. However, they will be without key players in the semifinals. Midfielder Pedri is out with a knee injury, and defenders Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal are suspended. Nacho will fill in at center back alongside Aymeric Laporte, with veteran fullback Jesus Navas and 16-year-old winger Yamal playing crucial roles.
Coach Luis de la Fuente has successfully blended experienced players with young talents, creating a team that has thrived. “This is everyone’s national team. Unity is strength, and if we all keep pushing in the same direction, we can achieve our goals,” de la Fuente said.
The winner will face either England or the Netherlands in the final on July 14.
Fun Fact: Spain is the only team to win all five matches at Euro 2024, but no team has ever won six consecutive games at the European Championship.
FIFA Rankings:
Spain: 8
France: 2
Head-to-Head Record:
36 games:
- 16 wins for Spain
- 13 for France
- 7 draws
Last Five Matches:
Spain: W-W-W-W-W
France: D-W-D-D-W
Possible Line-Ups:
Spain:
Unai Simón; Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Morata, Williams
Suspended: Carvajal, Le Normand
France:
Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández; Kanté, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Griezmann; Kolo Muani, Mbappé
