Teams of Spain and France will play in the semi-finals of the championship on July 9 European football. Sports answers five main questions about today's confrontation between two star teams and, not without regret, states: at Euro 2024 we have only three matches left to watch.
Spain — France
- When: July 9/22:00 Moscow time;
- Where: «Allianz Arena», Munich;
- Broadcast: you can follow the match online in the Sport match center. The live broadcast will be available in the Okko online cinema.
How did you pass the Euro distance? The Spaniards never cease to attract compliments. Five matches — five victories (only the last one, against Germany, was won in extra time), thanks to two defeats, 11 goals scored and only two missed. Yes, the meeting with the Germans was not without luck: the referee did not see an obvious handball by Mark Cucurella in Unai Simon's penalty area. However, in other matches, Luis de la Fuente's players are impeccable.
The same cannot be said about France. A faceless game in the group, a life-saving rebound in the match with Belgium and dull zeros in the meeting with Portugal… At least they didn’t make a mistake in the penalty shootout. Moreover, France themselves scored only one goal! The remaining two goals were scored by the opponents into their own goal. It looks like the winners of the Russian World Cup and the finalists of the Qatar 2022 World Cup need to wake up quickly.
What do you need to know about the history of the confrontation? The teams held 36 head-to-head meetings: 16 victories for Spain and 13 for the “tricolors”. As for the 21st century, we have witnessed several big matches with the participation of these teams:
- In the quarterfinals of the triumphant Euro 2000, France won with a score of 2:1;
- At the 2006 World Cup, in the 1/8 finals, the “tricolors” were again better, the future finalists: David Villa’s goal from the penalty spot was answered with accurate shots by Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane;
- But the Furia Roja were better for gold at Euro 2012 — Xabi Alonso's double brought the favorite to the semi-finals;
- Finally, in 2021 the teams met in the Nations League final. At the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, the French won 2:1 (Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring, but Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe turned everything on its head) and became the second winners of the tournament in history.
Who among the stars should you watch? Exactly 16-year-old Spaniard Lamin Yamal, who so far only gives assists, but does not score. Also eye-catching were Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino, who came on as substitutes in the match against the Germans and made the decision. Well, Nico Williams, who is being hunted by leading European clubs, may surprise again.
Euro 202409 July 2024 • starts at 22:00Match has not started
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Well, in the France team, all attention will certainly be focused on Mbappe. The captain of the «Les Tricolores», the star newcomer of «Real» has not been able to light up in Germany yet — the fans (as well as, perhaps, the coach Didier Deschamps) are perplexed by what happened to the leader, who has only distinguished himself once so far (he scored against the Poles from the penalty spot). And they hope that the forward in the black mask will break through in the semi-finals.
Who is the favorite of the first semi-final? Bookmakers cannot close their eyes to the excellent form of «La Furia Roja» and give preference to them. Even if it is small: 2.7 against 3.2 for Mbappe and company.
And when is the final? The decisive match of the 17th European Championship will take place on Sunday, July 14, at the «Olympic Stadium» in Berlin. Start — 22:00 Moscow time.
In the final, the winner of today's match will meet the winner of the Netherlands — England pair (the second semi-final will be held tomorrow in Dortmund).