Spain v France LIVE: Euro 2024 result and final score as Lamine Yamal wondergoal knocks out Kylian Mbappe
Spain 2-1 France: The 16-year-old Lamine Yamal scored a stunning goal as La Roja advanced to the Berlin final, where they will face England or the Netherlands
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Spain’s Lamine Yamal scored a wondergoal to become the youngest scorer in men’s European Championship history to help knock out tournament favourites France and reach the final of Euro 2024.
The 16-year-old fired a stunning strike 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 Dani Olmo 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 captain Kylian Mbappe blazed over the bar 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:
Spain’s route to the final
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
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
There’s no second summer fairytale for Germany, as it’s instead Spain who have the happy ending. For now. Mikel Merino 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 Euro 2024 is what the cost of this 2-1 victory over the hosts will be. Toni Kroos didn’t get his grand farewell, either, as he instead contributed to a match that often turned ugly.
That meant that it didn’t quite become the game of the tournament in the manner anticipated 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 break Germany hearts but dramatic Euro 2024 win may come at great cost
Spain 2-1 Germany (aet): Mikel Merino’s 119th-minute winner sent the hosts packing as Spain march into the semi-finals but new questions are now posed
Spain v France
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
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
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
For many reasons, a majority of them valid, Lamine Yamal seemed to become the face of this Spain side heading into Euro 2024. 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.
Goals and perfect passing - Nico Williams is the star Spain have been searching for
Lamine Yamal has won the headlines with regularity but his partner in crime is similarly sensational
Spanish team warm-up for semi-final
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
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
Toni Kroos has apologised for injuring Pedri in Germany’s Euro 2024 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.”
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