As with most major tournament semi-finals, this one will be razor-tight. Yes, Spain have been scintillating to watch and yes, France have been fairly stale, but the latter still have a wealth of talent at their disposal and are so adept defensively that they won't be blown over here.
On top of that, they've accumulated a total xG of 1.48xG per 90 minutes, which, while not brilliant, has only been bettered by 8 of the other 23 teams in this tournament, while their expected goals against rate is only 0.84xGA per 90 minutes, the fourth-best rate in the tournament.
Spain have been brilliant but have looked vulnerable to counter-attacks, which on paper plays into the hands of the French and their preferred style of play.
Ultimately, we expect a really close encounter that goes the distance, with France repeating their penalty shoot-out heroics to close out the game. (Spain 1-1 France at Full-Time) (France to win on penalties)
Spain vs. France - Preview
The eagerly anticipated quarter-final clash between Spain and France at Euro 2024 promises to be a captivating encounter, bringing together two footballing giants with contrasting fortunes and styles of play. Both teams have navigated their paths to the last eight in different manners, setting the stage for an intriguing match-up this Tuesday.
Date: 07/09/2024
Kick-off time: 3pm ET
Location: Allianz Arena, Munich
Spain have been a revelation in this tournament, finishing top of Group B with a perfect record of nine points. Under the stewardship of Luis de la Fuente, Spain has evolved from its traditional possession-based style to a more direct and dynamic approach. This evolution has made them arguably the most impressive team at Euro 2024 so far. They are the only team among the traditional heavyweights to win all their group stage matches, a testament to their dominance and adaptability.
Their journey to the quarter-finals has been marked by emphatic victories, including a commanding performance against Georgia in the last 16 and a thrilling win over hosts Germany in what has been one of the tournament's best matches. This Spain team is multifaceted, with a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting young talents, making them both entertaining and effective on the pitch.
One of the standout features of this Spanish side is their newfound threat in wide areas. Sixteen-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal and 21-year-old Nico Williams have added a fresh dimension to Spain's attack. Their ability to take on defenders in one-on-one situations has provided Spain with a cutting edge that has been lacking recently. Williams, in particular, has captured the imagination of football fans with his fearless dribbling and eye for goal.
In midfield, Fabián Ruiz has been instrumental, showcasing his vision and creativity. Alongside him, the ever-reliable Rodri of Manchester City has been a rock, breaking up opposition play and distributing the ball with precision. This combination of youth and experience has given Spain a balanced and potent midfield, capable of controlling games and launching swift counter-attacks.
Whether Spain are the best team in the tournament remains a subject of debate, but there is no doubt that they have been the most entertaining to watch. Their direct style, combined with technical prowess, has made them a joy for neutrals and a formidable opponent for anyone they face.
In stark contrast to Spain's exuberance, France's journey to the quarter-finals has been characterised by pragmatism and defensive solidity. Finishing second in Group D with five points, France have struggled to find their rhythm in the tournament. Under Didier Deschamps, they have been one of the more disappointing teams in terms of attacking play, failing to score a single goal from open play so far.
Despite this, France's defence has been resolute, with Arsenal's William Saliba emerging as a standout performer. Their ability to keep opponents at bay has been crucial in their progression, scraping past Belgium in the round of 16 and narrowly edging out Portugal in the quarter-finals. Both victories were hard-fought, with France relying on their defensive strength and a bit of luck to advance.
One of the biggest enigmas for France has been the form of Kylian Mbappé. Considered by many as the world's best player, Mbappé has been surprisingly anonymous in this tournament. His inability to make a significant impact has been a source of frustration for French fans and a puzzling aspect of their campaign. However, with a player of his calibre, there is always the potential for a match-winning performance, and Spain will be wary of the threat he poses.
The head-to-head record between Spain and France recently has been evenly matched, with both teams winning twice and one draw in their last five meetings. When they last faced each other in 2021, France emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, a result that will give them some confidence heading into this clash.
The quarter-final clash promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between two contrasting styles. Spain's direct and dynamic approach, fuelled by their youthful wide players, will look to exploit any weaknesses in France's defence. Their ability to switch play quickly and utilise the pace and skill of Yamal and Williams will be key to breaking down a stubborn French backline.
On the other hand, France will likely adopt a more cautious approach, focusing on their defensive organisation and looking to hit Spain on the counter-attack. Deschamps will be acutely aware of the dangers posed by Spain's attackers and will set up his team to nullify these threats while hoping for a moment of brilliance from the likes of Mbappé or Antoine Griezmann to snatch a goal.
As Spain and France prepare to face off in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, the stage is set for a compelling encounter between two footballing powerhouses. Spain's direct and vibrant style, coupled with France's defensive solidity and potential for individual brilliance, promises an intriguing clash of philosophies.
Where to Watch
Watch Spain vs. France and every UEFA Euro 2024 match on FOX, FS1, and the Fox Sports App.
Team News
Spain Team News:
Spain will be rocked by a number of big absentees for this game. Midfielder Pedri has made his last appearance for the team at the tournament after suffering a knee sprain in a clash with Toni Kroos.
On top of that, the suspensions of Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand will leave a big hole in the team's backline.
The French, however, have no such worries and come into this game with a fully fit and available squad.
Adrien Rabiot is likely to come back in at the expense of Eduardo Camavinga, while Marcus Thuram will battle it out with Randal Kolo Muani to start up top alongside Kylian Mbappé.
Spain's tournament began with a thumping 3-0 win over Croatia, where goals from Álvaro Morata, Fabián Ruiz and Dani Carvajal saw them comfortably past the World Cup semi-finalists.
Following on from that, Spain secured a resounding win over Italy, where despite winning only 1-0 thanks to an own goal, Spain produced a suffocatingly dominant performance where they grabbed the attention of the rest of the continent.
Spain's group stage finished with a 1-0 win over Albania, where a first-half goal from Ferran Torres saw a much-changed XI secure the three points in fairly easy fashion.
Spain's last 16 encounter saw them face Georgia, a team that had impressed significantly. Spain faced adversity early on and went behind due to a Le Normand own goal, but ultimately, they rallied to claim a 4-1 win courtesy of Rodri, Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo.
In the quarter-final, Spain took on hosts Germany in a game many billed as the early final. It was an even encounter where both sides had their moments, and after a cagey first half, Spain took a 1-0 lead after Olmo met a Lamine Yamal pass across the box to steer the ball past Manuel Neuer.
Spain had more chances on the break but after knocking on the door for the remainder of the second half following Spain's opener, the Germans finally equalised at the death through Florian Wirtz. However, despite the momentum having appeared to have switched and with Germany missing a few chances in extra time, substitute Mikel Merino delivered the mother of all sucker punches to guide a header into the near corner in the 119th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 win.
France kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a 1-0 win over Austria, where Max Wöber own goal was enough to see them claim three points in a stale encounter.
After that, France were held to a 0-0 draw by the Netherlands, a game they were lucky to win after Xavi Simons saw a late goal disallowed for a very contentious offside call.
France finished the group stage with a 1-1 draw against Poland, where a spot kick from Kylian Mbappé was cancelled out by a penalty from Robert Lewandowski late on.
In the last 16, a fairly uneventful game with Belgium saw France steal the win in the 85th minute with an own goal from Jan Vertonghen.
Didier Deschamps' side faced Portugal in the quarter-final in what was another poor game, a game that was probably edged by the Portuguese, who fashioned the better chances. France did, though, hold their nerve excellently in the penalty shoot-out that followed the 0-0 draw, converting all five spot kicks emphatically to win 5-3.
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