’s scored a wondergoal to become the to help knock out tournament favourites and reach the final of .
The into the top cover from outside the penalty area to equalise after Randal Kolo Muani’s early opener in the semi-final in Munich. And then struck moments later to give Spain the lead, as his goal-bound shot deflected in off France defender Jules Kounde.
Spain looked to contain France in a tight second half that saw few chances, but when finally getting a sight of goal and manager Didier Deschamps’ attacking changes did not help to force a late equaliser as La Roja held on.
Spain are through to their first men’s final since last winning the Euros in 2012 and will face either England or the Netherlands in Berlin on Sunday. Gareth Southgate’s side play the Dutch tomorrow night looking to reach consecutive Euro finals after defeat to Italy three years ago.
Follow all the latest updates from Spain v France below:
Euro 2024: Spain v France
Spain face France in the first semi-final of Euro 2024, live on BBC One
85’ CHANCE! Mbappe blazes over the bar after getting a sight of goal (SPA 2-1 FRA)
61’ CHANGES! France make triple-sub and bring on Griezmann and Barcola (SPA 2-1 FRA)
25’ GOAL! Kounde turns in Olmo shot as Spain come from behind (SPA 2-1 FRA)
21’ GOAL! Yamal curls an incredible long-range effort past Simon (SPA 1-1 FRA)
9’ GOAL! Mbappe sets up Kolo Muani header as France take early lead (SPA 0-1 FRA)
5’ CHANCE! Yamal cross sets up Ruiz, who can’t keep header down! (SPA 0-0 FRA)
Mbappe removes mask and plays with broken nose in Euro 2024 semi-final
Spain 2 – 1 France
Lamine Yamal signals Spain’s next golden era to leave France with one regret
22:16 , Chris Wilson
If this is to be ’s first men’s trophy since the glory era of 2008-12, there couldn’t be a better signal of a new era than scoring the goal to set them on their way to the final. , having finally taken his mask off, will not be showing his face in Berlin on Sunday. The final will instead see a star who may well be his successor, in . He had already illuminated and now he has elevated it, scoring a sensational strike that . It was both genius in the manner of the strike and in how he delivered something like that when his team really needed it.
This was a launchpad moment. It may also have been a moment of realisation for France, whose minimalist football reached its limits. Having told people all tournament to change the channel if they don’t like what they’re seeing, Didier Deschamps may have to do the same on Sunday. It’s hard not to think France have so wasted a generation, to the point they looked a dull side with the talent looking nowhere near the level it should.
Yamal speaks to TV cameras
22:22 , Chris Wilson
Speaking after the match, Lamine Yamal said that he was “very happy to qualify and now the most important thing remains: to take the title”.
“We were in a difficult moment because nobody expected his goal. I took it, I didn’t think and I tried to put it in where it went in and that was it. Very happy.
“My goal was to make it to my birthday here in Germany and now to enjoy it with the team,” he added. He turns 17 on the day before the final.
Next match
22:20 , Chris Wilson
So, Spain will contest the final of Euro 2024 against either England or the Netherlands this Sunday.
That match kicks off at 8pm BST on Sunday, 14 July at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
22:10 , Chris Wilson
Spain v France player ratings: Dani Olmo overshadowed but outstanding in Euro 2024 semi-final
22:00 , Chris Wilson
Spain reached the final of with a , setting up a meeting with .
France, who were , took an early lead when Randal Kolo Muani nodded home a header from close range.
But Spain equalised through 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who netted a wondergoal to become .
Dani Olmo then put Spain ahead with a , and Les Bleus were unable to fight back.
But how did each player perform? Here are The Independent’s player ratings:
FULL-TIME! Spain 2-1 France – SPAIN ARE THROUGH TO THE FINAL!
21:56 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! And Spain are through to the final of Euro 2024!
Dejection from the French players but they were second best since their goal.
For Spain it’s another chance to win the Euros after famous campaigns in 2008 and 2012. They have another star for 2024 in Lamine Yamal.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:54 , Chris Wilson
96 mins
Torres does well on the left wing to hold the ball up and win a foul, and that’ll surely be that…
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:53 , Chris Wilson
95 mins
Barcola swings in a hopeful ball but Greizmann gets a head to it – but it flies over. That might be it for France…
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:52 , Chris Wilson
94 mins
France are struggling to even get the ball here in the closing stages. There are ‘oles’ going around as Simon collects it.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:51 , Chris Wilson
93 mins
Great play from Merino to take it on the turn and slip it to Cucurella, but Spain end up playing it backwards. Rodri does brilliantly to win possession back before Yamal wins a throw.
He then comes off, along with Williams, for Ferran Torres and Martin Zubimendi.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:49 , Chris Wilson
90 mins
Another cynical challenge as Yamal drags back Hernandez, and the youngster is the latest to be booked.
We’ll have five minutes of added time, as Griezmann’s lofted ball in is headed behind by Upamecano. Merino stays down, as you might expect.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:48 , Chris Wilson
89 mins
Better from Spain as Merino shifts it wide to Cucurella, whose cross is deflected out. Williams delivers, but France clear…
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:47 , Chris Wilson
88 mins
Upamecano’s pass to Kounde goes straight out of play, and both teams are struggling a bit here. Rodri dispossesses Camavinga, and Spain are knocking the ball again, and Camavinga is booked for a late challenge on Cucurella.
All a bit disjointed now as the Spanish players are committing fouls and staying down to disrupt the flow of the game.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:44 , Chris Wilson
86 mins
Laporte is still down, having hit his face in the collision with Giroud. He’ll be okay to carry on.
Simon hits a speculative ball long, and it runs out for a Spain throw. Deschamps looks edgy on the sideline.
Mbappe collects the ball from Barcola’s pass the left, and he’s one-on-one with Nacho. He stands him up and makes space for the shot, but he blasts it over the bar!
Pitch invader grabs Kylian Mbappe during Spain v France quarter-final at Euro 2024
21:41 , Chris Wilson
A pitch invader was escorted off the field after grabbing by the shirt on Wednesday, during France’s clash with Spain.
Mbappe looked far from impressed as the fan arrived at his side to take a selfie, at the time of the incident.
A security guard soon rushed across the pitch in Berlin to escort the pitch invader away from Mbappe, for the first time at the tournament.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:41 , Chris Wilson
83 mins
Giroud brings down Laporte as Griezmann chased a long ball, and the Spanish defender stays down.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:39 , Chris Wilson
81 mins
Spain had the counter opportunity from that France corner, but they didn’t look that interested.
Lamine Yamal still looks interested though – he cuts inside Hernandez and looks to bend an effort in from distance, but it’s too high.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:38 , Chris Wilson
78 mins
Dembele comes off for Giroud as France hunt that elusive equaliser.
Saliba brings down Yamal near halfway, and Spain look to keep the ball, but Saliba intercepts and they thread it to Barcola. He beats Nacho again down the left, but the former Madrid captain gets back well to deflect his cross out.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:35 , Chris Wilson
76 mins
CLOSE! Griezmann’s cross in is put back into the box by Dembele. There’s some pinball in the box as Spain try to clear, and eventually a white shirt rolls it to Hernandez on the edge of the box. He tries the first-time side-of-the-foot shot, but it flies over!
Luis de la Fuente makes changes, bringing on Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal for Morata and Olmo.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:32 , Chris Wilson
73 mins
Dembele’s early cross results in another corner. He delivers the out-swinging ball, but Spain clear, and it finds its way to Olmo in the middle.
It’s swept wide to Yamal but it’s all very pedestrian at the moment from Spain. You’d think they were 3-1 up in the 90th from the way they’re playing. ‘Taking the sting out of the game’.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:30 , Chris Wilson
72 mins
Nice idea from Kounde as he clips a cross in first-time after receiving the cutback from Dembele, but no French shirt was there.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:29 , Chris Wilson
70 mins
Dembele does well to track back and prevent the cross in from Cucurella. France clear, but it’s straight to Laporte.
Barcola beats Nacho – who’s moved to right-back now – down the left, but his cross is hooked away. Morata then does well to hold the ball up and win another free-kick.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:27 , Chris Wilson
68 mins
Dembele thinks he’s won a free-kick after a challenge from Cucurella, but the referee isn’t convinced. Spain counter and Rodri leads it, striding forward before they have to recycle the ball back to Simon.
Hernandez eventually wins it off Yamal, before Spain win the foul.
Spain’s play has been a lot less expansive in this half so far.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:23 , Chris Wilson
65 mins
Camavinga clips it towards Mbappe, who brings it down well and slips it wide to Hernandez, but the full-back runs it out of play.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:21 , Chris Wilson
63 mins
France win a corner after some better attacking play, as Hernandez overlaps and his cross is put behind.
They make three changes before it’s taken: Rabiot, Kante and Kolo Muani come off for Antoine Greizmann, Eduardo Camavinga and Bradley Barcola.
The corner is headed wide.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:19 , Chris Wilson
60 mins
Play is stopped for a pitch invader, but we resume with Spain in possession, as Morata wins a free-kick near halfway. Spain are looking less zippy and energetic than they did in the first half.
France counter and it’s slipped through to Dembele, and his cross is almost across the goal, but Simon gets a hand to it to deflect it away from Mbappe.
Seconds later, Tchouameni is booked after a late challenge on Morata.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:15 , Chris Wilson
57 mins
Spain are being forced into a change here, as Jesus Navas comes off for Dani Vivian of Athletic Bilbao.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:15 , Chris Wilson
55 mins
A great one-two from Kante and Tchouameni ends with the latter threading a great ball to Kounde, but his cross is cleared.
Moments later, the long ball is punted forward hopefully to Williams, but he loses the foot-race to Kounde.
Mbappe collects the ball in the box and he cuts back outside, but his low shot is straight at Simon.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:12 , Chris Wilson
53 mins
Kounde dispossesses Williams again, this time near the Spain box, and then he delivers a low cross that’s put behind. Tchouameni heads goalwards from the corner, but it’s into the ground and straight at Simon. Spain counter after some great work by Laporte, but Rabiot ends up winning the free-kick near the France area.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:10 , Chris Wilson
52 mins
Kounde gets the best of Williams this time, and France counter, led by Kante. They’re forced to recycle possession, and it ends with Dembele’s cross going straight to Simon.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:08 , Chris Wilson
49 mins
Another test for the French defence as Olmo brings it down well before shipping it to Yamal, but the youngster’s cross is headed away by Kounde.
Spain come again and Ruiz threads it to Cucurella, and his cross to the near post is cleared by Upamecano.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
21:05 , Chris Wilson
46 mins
Good ‘keeping from Maignan as he rushes out of his box to win the ball from Williams. Spain had played it out of danger in their half brilliantly to get to that point.
Moments later, Dembele’s cross deflects off Cucurella into the gloves of Simon.
KICK-OFF! Spain 2-1 France
21:03 , Chris Wilson
Spain get the second period underway. Let’s hope it’s half as entertaining as the first.
Why is Marc Cucurella being booed as Spain face France at Euro 2024?
20:59 , Chris Wilson
defender was booed throughout the first half of his side’s semi-final against France.
The Chelsea left-back was jeered every time he touched the ball in Munich, as his side fought from behind to lead a thriller.
Cucurella has started all six of Spain’s matches at Euro 2024 on the left side of defence, playing a key role in his team’s progress.
But the 25-year-old was involved in a against hosts Germany.
Spain knocked out the hosts in dramatic fashion, progressing thanks to a 2-1 victory in extra time as Mikel Merino scored a 119th-minute winner.
But with the score 1-1 in extra time, the hosts thought they had a penalty when Jamal Musiala’s goal-bound shot struck Cucurella’s arm in the box.
Referee Anthony Taylor did not award a penalty, but Germany were furious with the decision as they were knocked out.
20:55 , Chris Wilson
Lamine Yamal becomes youngest-ever Euros goalscorer with world-class strike against France
20:52 , Chris Wilson
became the youngest player ever to score at a European Championship on Tuesday, .
Lamal, 16, fired a long-range shot into the top corner from outside France’s penalty area, equalising for his nation after Randal Kolo Muani’s early opener in the semi-final.
With his goal, ; at Euro 2004, then-18-year-old Johan Vonlanthen scored for Switzerland against France, four days after Wayne Rooney set a record by scoring against the Swiss.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
20:48 , Chris Wilson
47 mins
Kolo Muani brings down Nacho and the former Madrid man is writhing around on the floor, but he doesn’t get the booking he was looking for.
The referee blows the whistle for half-time, bringing an intriguing half to an end in Munich.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
20:47 , Chris Wilson
45 mins
There’ll be two minutes of added time, as Dembele brings down Cucurella and then Olmo is brought down. It’s petering out as half-time approaches.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
20:45 , Chris Wilson
44 mins
Yet anther dangerous free-kick for France, this time down the left. Dembele delivers again, but Spain are equal to it once more. France come again, but Rabiot’s chip into the box is poor.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
20:42 , Chris Wilson
42 mins
France are happy to keep possession as the half ends, not trying to force the issue. Kounde tries to clip a ball towards Hernandez, but Nacho clears again, and Spain have the ball.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
20:41 , Chris Wilson
40 mins
Demebele drives at Cucurella once again and he leaves his leg hanging, so France have another dangerous free-kick.
He swings it towards Upamecano at the back post, but Navas does well to head it behind under pressure.
The corner eventually comes to Olmo, who then finds Ruiz before they clip it forward to Williams. He finds Yamal on the other wing, but the cross is behind for a corner again.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
20:39 , Chris Wilson
38 mins
Lovely play from Mbappe as he recovers from the challenge before spraying a ball wide to Dembele, who wins a corner.
He swings the cross in, but it’s headed away, as is Kounde’s follow-up cross.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
20:37 , Chris Wilson
36 mins
Brief scuffles as Hernandez commits a late challenge on Yamal, but no booking yet.
Spain continue to keep possession well, but their ability to go from quite pedestrian to quick and incise is very impressive.
Yamal and Olmo are the latest to illustrate this, the former rolling a pass to the onrushing Olmo on the edge of the box – but his shot is deflected for a corner.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
20:35 , Chris Wilson
34 mins
The game has calmed down a little now. Dembele swings a ball wide to Hernandez, but he can’t keep it in.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
20:32 , Chris Wilson
31 mins
Mbappe is on the run again but Nacho stands him up, waits for the help from Rodri and dispossesses the Frenchman.
Nico Williams wants to get in on the action now – he beats his man in midfield before surging into the box, drawing the attention of three France defenders. He tries to slip it backwards to Morata, but there are too many bodies in the box.
Meet Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old Spain wonderkid lighting up Euro 2024
20:30 , Jamie Braidwood
One year ago was playing in the quarter-finals of the U17 European Championships in front of only a few hundred supporters. Skipping past defenders for fun, he registered an assist and scored once in ’s 3-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.
At just 15 years old, he was one of the youngest players competing in the U17 competition at the time. Yet he already stood out among his peers, finishing as the joint top-scorer of the tournament – despite Spain crashing out to France in the semi-final.
Fast forward a year, he’s now the youngest player competing at , with his boyish smile revealing braces, his joyful approach to the game providing a captivating subplot to Tuesday’s European Championship semi-final against France following a . His crisp pass to assist Dani Olmo for the opener was his third of the tournament, equalling the Spanish record for total assists in a single European Championship with Cesc Fabregas and David Silva. To say it has been a whirlwind 12 months for the winger would be an understatement.
Euro 2024: Spain 2-1 France
20:29 , Chris Wilson
28 mins
A brilliant game so far, this. France attack as they look for an equaliser, and the cross is cleared before Morata fouls Kounde near the Spain box.
Dembele delivers towards the back post, but Rabiot can’t keep it in.
GOAL! Spain 2-1 France
20:27 , Chris Wilson
25 mins
GOAL! And Spain are ahead!
Another brilliant goal, though this one for different reasons.
Spain have piled on the pressure since their equaliser and it finally counts – there’s some pinball in the box and it falls in the direction of Dani Olmo, who flicks a great touch past the defender and rifles a shot towards goal. It beats Maignan and bounces off Kounde and into the net!
Euro 2024: Spain 1-1 France
20:23 , Jamie Braidwood
21 mins
GOAL! Astonishing.
Spain are back it in courtesy of Lamine Yamal from nowhere!
It looks so deceptively simple too. He collects the ball around 25 yards out and looks to make the pass, but sees there are no options on. He shimmies to make space for the shot, and curls a superb effort that hits the inside of the post and goes in!
Euro 2024: Spain 0-1 France
20:20 , Chris Wilson
18 mins
Cucurella seems to be being booed, and apparently it’s as a result of a handball that wasn’t given against him in the game against Germany! There are cheers as his pass forward is eventually intercepted by Kante.
Hernandez slips it through to Mbappe and he cuts past two challenges as he makes his way into the box. He hits a low shot goalwards, but it’s blocked and the Spanish defence eventually deal with it.
Euro 2024: Spain 0-1 France
20:16 , Chris Wilson
16 mins
Rabiot stays down after the challenge, but he looks like he’ll be okay to carry on.
Mbappe has the free-kick in a dangerous area – 27 metres out – but he hits it straight into the wall.
Euro 2024: Spain 0-1 France
20:15 , Chris Wilson
14 mins
First yellow of the evening as Jesus Navas slides in late on Rabiot. France were counter-attacking there, with Mbappe almost clean through if Rabiot had got the pass away.
Navas is having a bit of a torrid time out there, and now he has to deal with potentially 75 minutes up against Mbappe already on a booking.
Euro 2024: Spain 0-1 France
20:13 , Chris Wilson
12 mins
Spain are certainly trying to be inventive around the box as they look for an equaliser. Yamal and Williams playing plenty of one-two’s and flicks, but nothing paying off so far.
Ruiz squares a pass across the box to Morata, but he can’t get the shot away.
GOAL! Spain 0-1 France (Randal Kolo Muani 9’)
20:10 , Chris Wilson
9 mins
GOAL! The French are ahead!
Dembele sweeps a pass wide to Mbappe. He takes a couple of paces into the box and curls a cross to the back post, and Randal Kolo Muani is there to nod it past Unai Simon into the corner!
Euro 2024: Spain 0-0 France
20:07 , Chris Wilson
5 mins
CLOSE! Spain should be ahead.
Williams swings in a cross that makes it way to Yamal on the other side. He takes a touch and delivers a cross of his own to the back post – Fabian Ruiz is there to meet it, and he’s unmarked, but he heads over!
Euro 2024: Spain 0-0 France
20:05 , Chris Wilson
4 mins
Yamal brings down Hernandez as France looked to attack, but it’s too far to put it into the box. Williams looks to counter, but Kante is there to slide in and intercept.
Spain have it back quickly, knocking around confidently between defence and midfield.
Euro 2024: Spain 0-0 France
20:04 , Chris Wilson
2 mins
Early signs of pressure from Yamal and Ruiz as the former tries to find some space on the edge of the box before Ruiz does manage to, and he clips a cross that outruns his teammates.
Spain 0-0 France: Kylian Mbappe to play without mask
20:02 , Jamie Braidwood
Mbappe has removed his face mask for the Euro 2024 semi-final!
KICK-OFF! Spain 0-0 France
20:01 , Chris Wilson
KICK-OFF! France get the first semi-final of Euro 2024 underway.
This is the 37th meeting between the two – who’ll come out on top?
Euro 2024: Spain v France
20:00 , Chris Wilson
The anthems are done in a febrile atmosphere in Munich. Plenty of whistling from both sides.
Mbappe and Morata exchange the pennants and the coin toss is conducted by Slavko Vincic.
We’re moments away in Bavaria!
Euro 2024: Spain v France
19:54 , Chris Wilson
Just five minutes until kick-off now.
The teams are in the tunnel now, and the national anthems are moments away.
19:51 , Chris Wilson
Euro 2024: Spain vs France
19:45 , Chris Wilson
As we approach kick-off, here’s a reminder of how both sides reached the final four.
France
France 1-0 Austria – Unsure how Austria would go, France played it safe as Ralf Rangnick’s men proved they were here to compete. Max Wober’s unfortunate own goal secured three crucial points for Didier Deschamps men.
France 0-0 Netherlands – In what could possibly end up being a preview of the Euro 2024 final, a Kylian Mbappe-less France played out a stalemate with the Dutch.
France 1-1 Poland – Needing to avoid defeat to guarantee qualification for the knockout rounds Mbappe opened the scoring from the penalty spot but a Robert Lewandowski penalty brought Poland an equaliser. It’s the only goal France have conceded thus far.
Last-16
France 1-0 Belgium – After finished behind Austria in Group D, France now had to face Belgium. This time it was a Jan Vertonghen own goal which sent them through.
Quarter-final
France 0-0 Portugal (5-3 on penalties) – Billed as Mbappe vs Ronaldo this knockout round tie didn’t live up to the hype. A goalless draw after 120 minutes took the match to a shootout where the French scored a perfect five and advanced.
Spain
Spain 3-0 Croatia – Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal all scored in a straightforward win.
Spain 1-0 Italy – A Riccardo Calafiori own goal settled the tie, though the scoreline was flattering for Italy.
Spain 1-0 Albania – Ferran Torres’ 13th minute strike ensured Spain kept their 100% win rate in tact.
Last-16
Spain 4-1 Georgia – Despite a Robin Le Normand own goal sending Spain behind they equalised through Rodri before goals from Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo helped them to a comfortable win.
Quarter-final
Spain 2-1 Germany – Substitute Olmo opened the scoring in the 51st minute before a very late equaliser from Florian Wirtz. Fellow Spanish sub Mikel Merino then decided the match late in extra-time.
Head-to-head
19:40 , Chris Wilson
These two sides have faced each other 36 times on the international stage, with fixtures dating as afar back as 1922. Their most recent fixture was the 2021 Nations League final, which France won 2-1 thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.
And tonight will be the sixth meeting between the two at a major tournament – France won three of the first four (2-0 in Euro 1984 final, 2-1 in Euro 2000 quarter-final, 3-1 in 2006 World Cup last 16), while Spain won the most recent game 2-0 win in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.
The other game was a 1-1 draw during the Euro 1996 group stage.
Having met in the Euro 2024 semi-final, the group stage at Euro 96, the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup, the quarter-finals of Euro 2000 (and 2012) and the final of Euro 1984, Spain v France will become just the third fixture to be played at each stage of World Cup and Euros, along with Italy v Spain and England v Germany.
France’s ‘tournament ball’ or Spain’s ideology – how do you actually win the Euros?
19:35 , Chris Wilson
Lamine Yamal has beenalways worth watching at , which means he attracts a lot of defenders, so Luis De La Fuente is intent on making the 16-year-old see better team solutions. In training, the manager has taken Yamal aside and told him “if you have three players on you, there’s an area where we have superiority – we must get the ball there, not by dribbling, but with fast passing”.
This is Spain, after all. De La Fuente has accelerated the team’s evolution from dogmatic possession, primarily through the use of Yamal and Nico Williams, but the approach is still based on the core ideology. The identity is too ingrained. Such advice still produced maybe the most beautiful play at Euro 2024, which was a wondrous one-touch passing move . It has been lacking from a lot of teams.
A problem with De La Fuente’s advice for the semi-final is that, in the French half, there are very unlikely to be . That is because constantly has one piece of advice of his own. That is to ensure there is always a packed defensive structure around the French goal. If the Spanish mindset is to give the ball, Deschamps’s is to give nothing away.
France’s biggest problem is not really a problem thanks to Didier Deschamps trick
19:30 , Chris Wilson
Two of the three players to score for in are out of Euro 2024. One no longer plays international football at all. And one single goal from a French player? Well, that was a penalty.
It puts France two games away from an extraordinary achievement: from winning the European Championships without any of their team mustering a goal in open play. It sounds like a feat that the Greece side in 2004 – limited in ability, clean-sheet specialists and set-piece experts – could have pulled off. Not France, who scored four and three in the last two World Cup finals respectively; who have , potentially the best player in the world for the next few years and, in time, the best in the World Cup’s history; who have a galaxy of attacking talent. But maybe it would be the definitive triumph, .
Thus far, his blueprint includes a cocktail of own-goals and a spot kick, stalemate, extra-time and a penalty shootout. Or if not the France manager’s gameplan, a by-product of his safety-first approach. “When you don’t get goals, it is better to not have goals scored against you,” he reflected. “I am a head coach that is defensive so my team plays in defence.” That was tongue in cheek, referencing his reputation.
Goals, assists and perfect passing – Nico Williams is the consistent star Spain have been searching for
19:25 , Chris Wilson
For many reasons, a majority of them valid, seemed to become the face of this side heading into . For one it’s his youth, of course – a star at just 16. There’s also the potential for so many storylines, with his birthday the day before the final itself.
Then there’s the fact he plays for Barcelona – all this before we even approach the subject of his quality, which is clearly off the charts.
But while he gives Spain traits they’ve been desperate for over the last few years and tournaments – guile around the box, balance in the forward line and, above all else, speed – he isn’t the only player to do so. He isn’t even the only starting forward who offers much of the same traits, if in mirror image.
Meet Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old Spain wonderkid lighting up Euro 2024
19:20 , Chris Wilson
Exactly one year ago was playing in the quarter-finals of the U17 European Championships in front of only a few hundred supporters. Skipping past defenders for fun, he registered an assist and scored once in ’s 3-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.
At just 15 years old, he was one of the youngest players competing in the U17 competition at the time. Yet he already stood out among his peers, finishing as the joint top-scorer of the tournament – despite Spain crashing out to France in the semi-final.
Dani Olmo is Spain’s antidote to France’s anti-football at Euro 2024
19:15 , Chris Wilson
It’s perhaps a triumph of tactics, or simply a triumph of circumstance: have got to the semi-finals of without scoring a goal in open play through any of their own 26 members of the squad.
’ side have been totally unconcerned by having possession for large stretches of matches. They haven’t really created too many chances either – certainly not in the way that the calibre of players at their disposal would suggest that they might do.
They rank 11th in the tournament for average possession per game. They’ve created the same number of big chances at the Euros as Austria or Turkey. They’ve only scored three in total across five matches and two of them were own goals.
Spain v France referee: Who is Euro 2024 official Slavko Vincic?
19:10 , Chris Wilson
A reminder of the refereeing team for tonight’s semi-final.
Slavko Vincic will referee the first semi-final of between Spain and France in Munich on Tuesday night.
The experienced Slovenian official, 44, became a Fifa-listed referee in 2010 and recently refereed the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Vinčič’s first tournament was Euro 2012, where he attended as an assistant, and he first took charge at a major international tournament during Euro 2020, when he refereed two group-stage games and the quarter-final between Italy and Belgium.
Spain v France TV channel, start time and how to watch Euro 2024 fixture online tonight
19:05 , Chris Wilson
Just under an hour until kick-off now, so here’s a reminder of how you can watch tonight’s game.
Spain v France will kick off at 8pm at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
The match will be shown live on BBC One, and coverage has just started. It can also be streamed live via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport app.
You can find a full list of which channel is .
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
France team news
19:02 , Chris Wilson
Didier Deschamps has made two changes to the side that scraped through on penalties against Portugal.
In midfield, Adrien Rabiot returns from suspension and takes the place of Eduardo Camavinga. Antoine Griezmann also drops out, losing his place to Ousmane Dembele.
Spain team news
18:58 , Chris Wilson
Spain’s only changes come due to injury and suspension, with Luis de la Fuente forced into three changes from the starting eleven against Germany.
At right-back, Jesus Navas comes in for the suspended Dani Carvajal, while Nacho replaces Robin Le Normand in central defence. Dani Olmo comes into midfield for Pedri.
France line-up
18:53 , Chris Wilson
France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappe
SUBS: Samba, Areola, Pavard, Konate, Mendy, Clauss, Camavinga, Zaire-Emery, Fofana, Coman, Thuram, Griezmann, Giroud, Barcola.
Team news & line-up announcements
18:43 , Chris Wilson
Official team news from France should be arriving at any moment now.
Les Blues have no suspensions or injuries to worry about, although the performances of players such as Eduardo Camavinga last time out could give Deschamps some selection headaches.
Spain break Germany hearts but dramatic Euro 2024 win may come at great cost
18:35 , Chris Wilson
There’s no second summer fairytale for , as it’s instead who have the happy ending. For now. ensured they rose above it all, with a brilliant header in the 119th minute. The big question as to whether they go and actually win is what the cost of this 2-1 victory over the hosts will be. didn’t get his grand farewell, either, as he instead contributed to a
That meant that it didn’t quite become the game of the but it was thoroughly absorbing, right until the death. And that was very, very late. It is easy to see why games like this can prevent teams from becoming champions, because of the gruelling physical and psychological cost. Spain now have Alvaro Morata and the red-carded Dani Carvajal suspended for the semi-final, with Pedri looking like he might be out injured – maybe for the summer. He was the victim of an abrasive challenge from Kroos in the opening minute that very much set a tone.
Through that, Spain displayed another quality in a European Championships when they have already shown so many. They were the picture of perseverance. That wasn’t just because of what a gallant German team put them through but what they put themselves through.
Spain line-up
18:29 , Chris Wilson
SPAIN XI: Simon; Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata.
SUBS: Raya, Vivian, Merino, Joselu, Torres, Oyarzabal, Grimaldo, Remiro, Baena, Zubimendi, Fermin, Perez.
Gifted Portugal dragged down by Ronaldo the anchor in underwhelming Euro 2024 exit
18:20 , Chris Wilson
Six and out. ’s sixth and last European Championships came to an end as paid for an impotence that stemmed from affording their captain privileged status. They went out on penalties, rolling his spot kick against the foot of the post as everyone else scored, but after a second successive stalemate, after 364 minutes without scoring.
If it is an equally damning statistic that no player has scored for them in open play this tournament, five did in a shootout. Diogo Costa had in the last 16 but Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana, Jules Kounde and Bradley Barcola all found the net, allowing Theo Hernandez to set up .
The ends can justify the means and for , dullness has brought a fourth semi-final in the last five major tournaments. In the process, France conquered a demon or two. Eliminated from Euro 2020 on penalties, losing the 2022 World Cup final in a shootout, France avoided an unwanted hat-trick. They also gained a modicum of revenge for their Euro 2016 final defeat to Portugal.
Euro 2024 Golden Boot standings: Cody Gakpo, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and more battle to be top scorer
18:10 , Chris Wilson
Some of those taking to the pitch tonight may have the golden boot in mind too.
became with five goals at Euro 2020 taking his overall aggregate to 14 and sealing the Golden Boot in the process, as his assist saw him edge the of the Czech Republic, who also netted on five occasions during the tournament. However, he flopped entirely in this summer’s edition, failing to score a single goal and missing a penalty en route to a quarter-final exit.
Footballing greats such as Antonie Griezmann, Fernando Torres, Alan Shearer and Gerd Muller are among those who have won the prestigious prize throughout the history of the Euros and the likes of , , and Romelu Lukaku are hoping to join them this time around.
It hasn’t been an extremely high-scoring campaign so far in individual terms, but that just means there are still some in the running who haven’t had a prolific tournament – one big game in front of goal could change everything.
Euro 2024 yellow card and suspension rules for semi-finals and final
18:00 , Chris Wilson
Speaking of suspended players…
were left sweating on suspensions in the knockouts after a flurry of yellow cards in the first half of their last-16 tie against Slovakia at .
Defender after picking up two bookings in two games, while Kobbie Mainoo and Jude Bellingham then joined him in the book in that match.
But yellow cards picked up in the group stage, last-16 and quarter-finals are wiped before the semi-finals – meaning the Three Lions, the Oranje, plus France and Spain’s squads, all get a blank slate at this point – other than those like Dani Carvajal who were sent-off or booked for the second time in their last appearance.
Early team news & predicted line-ups
17:50 , Chris Wilson
Spain will be without three key players for their match against Germany. Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand are suspended having collected yellow cards (and a red in Carvajal’s case) during the quarter-final while Pedri sustained an injury after a heavy tackle from Toni Kroos that is expected to rule him out.
France have no suspensions or injuries which could give them a significant advantage for the match if Didier Deschamps can finally unlock their potential ruthlessness in front of goal.
Predicted line-ups
Spain XI: Simon, Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella, Ruiz, Rodri, Olmo, Williams, Morata, Yamal
France XI: Maignan, Hernandez, Saliba, Upamecano, Kounde, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Kante, Griezmann, Mbappe, Dembele
When are the Euro 2024 semi-finals? Dates, kick-off times and fixture schedule
17:40 , Chris Wilson
Ahead of both semi-finals, here’s a reminder of the schedule and how you can watch them.
nears its finale after the last eight teams were whittled down to four ahead of .
Germany, Portugal, Switzerland and Turkey all fell at the quarter-final stage, as Spain set up a mouth-watering clash with France and to face Netherlands.
The semi-finals will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday night, before Sunday’s final in Berlin.
Below is the full fixture schedule for the Euro 2024 knockout stages, and TV arrangements:
Euro 2024 – live: England news and analysis with Gareth Southgate’s side preparing for semi-finals
17:30 , Chris Wilson
If you’re after some news ahead of England’s clash against the Netherlands tomorrow, look no further than our dedicated blog.
We’re bringing you all the team news, squad updates and preparation ahead of tomorrow night’s game.
Why is Kylian Mbappe wearing a mask for France against Portugal at Euro 2024?
17:20 , Chris Wilson
captain will wear a mask throughout the rest of afterduring the team’s opening victory against Austria.
The superstar forward was left covered in blood after when his face collided into the shoulder of Austria defender Kevin Danso, later leaving the stadium in an ambulance.
Subsequent tests confirmed Mbappeand he returned to training two days later while sporting a protective covering in the colours of the French flag, alleviating concerns that he would be ruled out of the tournament.
Spain v France referee: Who is Euro 2024 official Slavko Vincic?
17:10 , Chris Wilson
Slavko Vincic will referee the first semi-final of between Spain and France in Munich on Tuesday night.
The experienced Slovenian official, 44, became a Fifa-listed referee in 2010 and recently refereed the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Vinčič’s first tournament was Euro 2012, where he attended as an assistant, and he first took charge at a major international tournament during Euro 2020, when he refereed two group-stage games and the quarter-final between Italy and Belgium.
A 38-year-old Jesus Navas will mark Kylian Mbappe in a Euro 2024 semi-final – he might just win
17:00 , Chris Wilson
The generation gap on ’s right flank has just grown bigger. has spent the tournament passing his school exams , operating in front of a man twice his age, in Dani Carvajal. Yet the six-time Champions League winner was suspended for the semi-final even before he brought his , rugby-tackling Jamal Musiala to collect his second yellow card deep into extra time.
And so the reserve right-back, who will presumably be parachuted in to face , whose role will involve racing , is a player who had won the Uefa Cup twice before Yamal was born. One Jesus turned water into wine. The temptation is to think that another may need a still greater miracle to outsprint Mbappe. , after all, is closer in age to perennial early 90s Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain than he is to Yamal.
But, 21 seasons into his senior career, There are few 38-year-olds whose attributes begin with speed, but his arguably do. He has retained a slim physique that suggests he has zero per cent body fat. As times have changed, Navas hasn’t. He has moved from right wing to right-back yet remains essentially the same.
France’s biggest problem is not really a problem thanks to Didier Deschamps trick
16:45 , Mike Jones
Two of the three players to score for in are out of Euro 2024. One no longer plays international football at all. And one single goal from a French player? Well, that was a penalty.
It puts France two games away from an extraordinary achievement: from winning the European Championships without any of their team mustering a goal in open play. It sounds like a feat that the Greece side in 2004 – limited in ability, clean-sheet specialists and set-piece experts – could have pulled off.
Not France, who scored four and three in the last two World Cup finals respectively; who have , potentially the best player in the world for the next few years and, in time, the best in the World Cup’s history; who have a galaxy of attacking talent. But maybe it would be the definitive triumph, .
Spain v France
16:37 , Mike Jones
France are looking to reach their fourth Euros final (1984, 2000 and 2016) but only the second not played on French soil (Euro 2000 in the Netherlands).
Spain, meanwhile, are looking to reach their fifth final, with only Germany playing in more (six). The Spaniards have progressed from four of five semi-finals, but lost on penalties to eventual winners Italy at this stage at Euro 2020.
France’s route to the semi-finals
16:30 , Mike Jones
Ahead of the tournament France were placed in Group D alongside Poland, Austria and the Netherlands in what many spectators named ‘the group of death’. It was undoubtably the most tricky group to qualify from even if Les Bleus made things harder for themselves:
Group Stages
France 1-0 Austria – Unsure how Austria would go, France played it safe as Ralf Rangnick’s men proved they were here to compete. Max Wober’s unfortunate own goal secured three crucial points for Didier Deschamps men.
France 0-0 Netherlands – In what could possibly end up being a preview of the Euro 2024 final, a Kylian Mbappe-less France played out a stalemate with the Dutch.
France 1-1 Poland – Needing to avoid defeat to guarantee qualification for the knockout rounds Mbappe opened the scoring from the penalty spot but a Robert Lewandowski penalty brought Poland an equaliser. It’s the only goal France have conceded thus far.
Last-16
France 1-0 Belgium – After finished behind Austria in Group D, France now had to face Belgium. This time it was a Jan Vertonghen own goal which sent them through.
Quarter-final
France 0-0 Portugal (5-3 on penalties) – Billed as Mbappe vs Ronaldo this knockout round tie didn’t live up to the hype. A goalless draw after 120 minutes took the match to a shootout where the French scored a perfect five and advanced.
Pragmatic France have sights set on trophy
16:22 , Mike Jones
Despite criticism of the way they’ve played so far, Didier Deschamps’s France are a solid team who have not really looked under much threat defensively.
In comparison to England, who have also had the ‘boring’ moniker thrown their way, France have kept four clean sheets in their five matches so far while the Three Lions have conceded four goals in the same time.
Les Bleus are also aiming for a fourth major tournament final in the last eight years, after reaching the Euro 2016 showpiece and headline match of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
That’s an incredible record which shows how experienced this group is at reaching the latter ends of tournaments something their opponents tonight lack.
“We’re in the semi-finals and it’s something we shouldn’t take for granted, even if we may be used to it recently,” said Deschamps after the quarter-final versus Portugal. “Now we go to win it.”
France reached semi-finals as Portugal dragged down by Ronaldo
16:15 , Mike Jones
Six and out. ’s sixth and last European Championships came to an end as paid for an impotence that stemmed from affording their captain privileged status. They went out on penalties, rolling his spot kick against the foot of the post as everyone else scored, but after a second successive stalemate, after 364 minutes without scoring.
If it is an equally damning statistic that no player has scored for them in open play this tournament, five did in a shootout. Diogo Costa had in the last 16 but Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana, Jules Kounde and Bradley Barcola all found the net, allowing Theo Hernandez to set up .
France prepare for semi-final versus Spain
16:07 , Mike Jones
Here’s a look at the French team going through their training sessions ahead of tonight’s crucial semi-final clash in Munich:
Pre-match thoughts from Didier Deschamps
16:00 , Mike Jones
The France coach said: “[Spain] have had the best Euros so far and have left the best impression after every game.
“All Spain teams have always had a good midfield who are able to control games. Rodri in particular is essential to the Spanish team, but all their players are important.”
Rabiot backing Griezmann to perform
15:52 , Mike Jones
Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann is another French forward yet to find their shooting boots but teammate Adrien Rabiot says the players are all behind the struggling attackers.
“I think everyone is surprised because we know what Antoine is capable of,” Rabiot said, “We saw what he pulled out of the bag at the World Cup, where he was at the peak of his powers as a player.
“I don’t know the reason. We have high expectations when it comes to Antoine and we expect a lot because he’s capable.
“If someone’s having a rough patch then we’re here to support them, but obviously it’d be better if we had the Kylian and the Antoine [we know] playing here at the Euros.”
Dani Olmo is Spain’s antidote to France’s anti-football at Euro 2024
15:45 , Mike Jones
It’s perhaps a triumph of tactics, or simply a triumph of circumstance: have got to the semi-finals of without scoring a goal in open play through any of their own 26 members of the squad.
’ side have been totally unconcerned by having possession for large stretches of matches. They haven’t really created too many chances either – certainly not in the way that the calibre of players at their disposal would suggest that they might do.
They rank 11th in the tournament for average possession per game. They’ve created the same number of big chances at the Euros as Austria or Turkey. They’ve only scored three in total across five matches and two of them were own goals.
Mbappe in right ‘headspace’ despite poor form
15:37 , Mike Jones
France’s lack of goals have been in part due to the disappointing form of forwards Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele.
Mbappe, in particular, has struggled since being forced to wear a mask after breaking his nose during France’s opening 1-0 win against Austria.
The striker scored eight of France’s 16 goals at the World Cup in Qatar two years ago but has only netted once so far in Germany and that was from the penalty spot.
“We are convinced Kylian is in the right headspace, as are all of our players,” France boss Didier Deschamps said, “He had an issue with his back, took a blow to the nose – it could have been the end of the road for him but he’s still here.
“His field of vision is changed and it was a huge shock to him but I’m convinced he will do everything he can [against Spain].”
Spain v France
15:30 , Mike Jones
Meeting in the Euro 2024 semi-final, and having already met in the group stage (1996), last 16 (2006), quarter-finals (2000 and 2012) and final (1984) of major tournaments, Spain v France will be just the third fixture to be played at each stage of World Cup and Euros, along with Italy v Spain and England v Germany.
Deschamps says people ‘can watch something else’ if they are bored with France
15:22 , Mike Jones
Didier Deschamps says people who are bored with his France team’s style of play can watch something else instead of Tuesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final with Spain.
Les Bleus have been criticised for the lack of entertainment in their performances matches despite having reached the last four of the tournament in Germany.
However, none of their players have scored a goal from open play with their three goals so far being two own goals and a penalty scored by Kylian Mbappe.
In Monday’s pre-match press conference Deschamps was asked about playing “boring football” to which he responded: “If you are bored, watch another game – you don’t have to watch us, it’s fine.
“Maybe it’s not the same as it was in the past, but we do have the capability to spark emotions and make lots of French men and women happy with our results, especially after a difficult period in our country.”
Meet Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old Spain wonderkid lighting up Euro 2024
15:15 , Mike Jones
Exactly one year ago was playing in the quarter-finals of the U17 European Championships in front of only a few hundred supporters. Skipping past defenders for fun, he registered an assist and scored once in ’s 3-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.
At just 15 years old, he was one of the youngest players competing in the U17 competition at the time. Yet he already stood out among his peers, finishing as the joint top-scorer of the tournament – despite Spain crashing out to France in the semi-final.
Pre-match thoughts of Luis de la Fuente:
15:08 , Mike Jones
“We’re facing a football superpower, a great opponent. They are not just powerful as a team, physically very strong, very quick; they also have brilliant individual players.
“Undoubtedly, they have some of the best in the world. We’re going to demonstrate all of our potential. I think we’re on the same level as them, both collectively and individually – it’ll be a brilliant spectacle.”
Click to read the full blog on The Independent’s website