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:
France’s ‘tournament ball’ or Spain’s ideology – how do you actually win the Euros?
Lamine Yamal has been one of the few stars always worth watching at Euro 2024, 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 Spain 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 against Germany to turn defence into attack. It has been lacking from a lot of teams.
France’s ‘tournament ball’ or Spain’s ideology – how do you actually win the Euros?
Euro 2024 has become a tournament of competing approaches and Miguel Delaney explains how the final result will decide the championship’s legacy
Spain v France prediction
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
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
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 showing each match here. 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 deals on VPNs 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
Didier Deschamps 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
Spain have only conceded two goals in Euro 2024, and aim reach their first major final since 2012 when they take on France in the semi-finals.
In the quarter-final against Germany, Spain again showed some impressive play in a European Championship, despite some inexplicable decisions from manager Luis De La Fuente 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!
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.
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