take on in a heavyweight battle in the first semi-final at , with the winner taking a place in the final in Berlin on Sunday 14 July.
La Roja battled past hosts in an entertaining quarter-final in , with after an enthralling game.
Les Bleus fared a little worse in their quarter-final, after a 120-minute display that was often tepid, pedestrian and lacking in attacking threat.
Questions remain over whether can take this side – who all tournament – into a fourth final of his tenure. impressive Spain side – who remain favourites to win the competition – lie in wait.
Follow all the latest updates from Spain v France below:
Euro 2024: Spain v France
Spain – France
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.”
Spain’s route to the final
15:00 , Mike Jones
Spain were placed in Group B alongside tricky opponents Croatia, the reigning European champions Italy and the resolute Albania. La Rojas went on to win all three games:
Group Stages
Spain 3-0 Croatia – Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal all scored.
Spain 1-0 Italy – A Riccardo Calafiori ow goal settled the tie.
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.
Spain are Euro 2024’s high-flyers
14:52 , Mike Jones
Spain have been the team to light up the tournament so far and are the only side left in the competition to win all five of their games.
They are the joint-top in number of goals (11) and top on total attempts (102) and balls recovered (230), demonstrating how impressive they have been both going forward.
“My players are insatiable,” said Luis de la Fuente after the quarter-final versus Germany, “There’s always room for improvement, of course, but we can’t question their pride, quality and commitment.”
Spain break Germany hearts but dramatic Euro 2024 win may come at great cost
14:45 , Mike Jones
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.
Spain v France
14:37 , Mike Jones
This is the sixth meeting between Spain and France 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.
Spain boss has decisions to make
14:30 , Mike Jones
Luis de la Fuente has a decision to make over his starting XI. With Pedri out through injury he needs to decide which of Dani Olmo or Mikel Merino starts in midfield.
Olmo came on for Spain when Pedri’s injury forced him off the pitch in the opening minutes versus Germany and was an exciting and threatening force of nature. For the longest time it looked as though his second half strike would be enough to send La Rojas through the last four but Florian Wirtz eventually cancelled it out.
With the match now going to extra-time Mikel Merino was introduced and was equally impressive. He made his run into the right area and leapt highest to nod Spain back into the lead and into the semi-finals.
Will the Spain boss, who must also plug holes in his defence due to suspensions to Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, elect for Olmo as Pedri’s replacement again or roll the dice with his quarter-final matchwinner and give Merino the nod?
Spain players will ‘give everything’ says Cucurella
14:22 , Mike Jones
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has been surprisingly impressive for Spain having been pinpointed as a potential weak link ahead of the European Championship’s start.
He will be key to ensuring France’s forward line are frustrated once again and is expected to come up against Ousmane Dembele or Randal Kolo Muani.
“We are a group of players that give everything for our teammates and that’s one of the secrets,” Cucurella said.
“I think we have created a great group. We have a mix of veterans and very young players and that makes it all very enjoyable. The key is to be like a family.
“We may not have superstars, but as a team we are good, we are doing well and I hope we keep it that way.”
Goals, assists and perfect passing – Nico Williams is the consistent star Spain have been searching for
14:15 , Mike Jones
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.
Spanish team warm-up for semi-final
14:08 , Mike Jones
Here’s a look at the Spaniards going through their training sessions ahead of tonight’s crucial semi-final clash in Munich:
De La Fuente dimissives criticism of ‘boring’ France
14:00 , Mike Jones
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente dismissed the suggestion that France are playing ‘boring’ saying at this stage of the tournament the only thing that matters is the result.
“We all try to build a gameplan that will help you win,” he said, “Spain are an eye-catching team, I won’t deny that, it’s our DNA, but in the end, here it’s about winning.
“We want to play, but we want to be practical. Our way to get the result is to try to be eye-catching. But at this stage it’s the result that counts because it is how your job will get judged and evaluated in the end.”
Kroos apologises for Pedri injury
13:53 , Mike Jones
has apologised for injuring in Germany’s loss to Spain, insisting it was “not my intention”. Pedri was forced off in the first few minutes of the quarter-final on Friday (5 July), having hit the turf after a foul from Kroos.
The 21-year-old Pedri will not feature for Spain in their semi-final against Portugal or be fit for the final – should his nation qualify.
In an Instagram post on Saturday (6 July), the Germany midfielder wrote: “Very important to me: Apologies to @pedri and wishing you a good recovery!
“It was obviously not my intention to injure you. Swift recovery and all the best. You are a great player.”
Elsewhere in his post, Kroos added: “I didn’t expect us, in such a short space of time, to be able to have a realistic shot at winning the title and to get back on par with the best teams. For that reason, I’m so proud of what this team achieved.”
France’s ‘tournament ball’ or Spain’s ideology – how do you actually win the Euros?
13:45 , Mike Jones
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.
Spain v France prediction
13:37 , Mike Jones
Spain have shown impressive form in the tournament but this France team have been successful in major tournaments before. It seems likely that least extra-time will be needed and it would not be surprising if the contest was decided by a penalty shootout.
Spain 1-1 France (France to win on penalties).
Early team news and predicted line-ups
13:30 , Mike Jones
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
How to watch Spain v France
13:23 , Mike Jones
Spain v France will kick off at 8pm on Tuesday, July 9th at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
The match will be shown live on BBC one with coverage starting at 7pm, and can also be streamed live via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport app. You can find a full list of which channel is . Coverage starts at 4pm on BBC One and the iPlayer.
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 find a way
13:15 , Mike Jones
is looking for one trophy to complete the set at international level. He has won the World Cup and European Championship as a player, and the World Cup as a manager meaning victory at Euro 2024 will make him the only person to win both titles as both a player and manager.
In seeking this potentially incredible feat Deschamps’ France team have been pragmatic, defensive and often dull. Their slow build-up play, control of games and misfiring forward line often nullify the effectiveness of free-flowing, adventurous teams as Portugal found in the quarter-final and Spain will need to be aware of this evening.
France, with two own goals and a penalty, have yet to score from open play but they hold the best defensive record in the tournament having conceded just one goal (versus Poland in the final group game).
Les Bleus have also come through a penalty shootout so there will be no demons there should this expectedly tight contest head the distance.
Spain have impressed at Euro 2024
13:07 , Mike Jones
have only conceded two goals in , and aim reach their first major final since 2012 when they take on in the semi-finals.
Spain again showed some impressive play in a European Championship, despite some with his side 1-0 ahead.
The Germans equalised through Florian Wirtz’s 89th minute goal but substitute Mikel Merino decided the contest thanks to a superb headed effort with just one minute of extra-time remaining.
La Rojas are the only team remaining to have won all five of their matches so far and look like the favourites to lift the trophy.
Good afternoon!
13:00 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Euro 2024 action as the semi-finals get underway with a blockbuster clash between Spain and France in Munich.
Spain have been one of the most entertaining teams at the tournament so far having won all of their games including a dramatic 2-1 victory over tournament hosts Germany in the quarter-finals.
France, in contrast, have struggled for rhythm but their defensive record is superb and has been a big factor in taking them through the competition. Wins against Belgium and Portugal in the knockout rounds – the latter via a penalty shootout – prove they remain a threat despite some lacklustre performances thus far and Spain will need to reach their highest level to get past them.
Awaiting the winner is the final on Sunday where they will face either England or the Netherlands who go head-to-head in their semi-final tomorrow evening.
We’ll have all the updates, team news and live match action throughout the day so stick with us as we build-up to kick off at 8pm.