New Delhi: Spain will play against France in the first semi-final of UEFA Euro 2024 as the stronger side of the two based on recent performances. France have been looking a much paler shadow of their usual self.
Spain did not concede a single goal during the entire group stage and is the only team in this tournament that has won all five games. Since opening their tournament against Croatia with a 3-0 win, they have gone from strength to strength and have the joint most goals in Euro 2024, with 11 to their name.
They have conquered the fiercest contenders during these five games with a 1-0 win over Cup holders Italy and a 2-1 win in the quarter-finals against hosts Germany. They are now two games away from their fourth European Championship title.
France, though, haven’t yet impressed anyone with its performance on the field. In the group stage, Les Bleus managed to win only one game and draw the other two. They finished Group D second on the points table behind Austria.
The French fans had hoped that the team would play more intensely in the elimination stage, but that hasn’t been the case. Against Belgium, an 85-minute own goal from Jan Vertonghen helped France book their slot in the Quarter-finals. Their game against an equally unimpressive Portugal side saw them take the game to a penalty shootout after both sides failed to register any score. They managed to win 5-3 in the shootout and are now here in the semi-finals, riding the tournament with more fortune and less on results.
Can the young speedsters swing it for Spain again?
STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: Lamine Yamal of Spain reacts during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images)
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have been nightmares to their opponents. The duo powered the Spanish side to a 4-1 win over Georgia in the round of 16. Spain has played around the strengths of both Yamal and Williams.
Williams came to the side after a fantastic season in La Liga. In the Euro 2024, he averaged the highest expected assists per 90 across the tournament of players who have played at least 250 minutes.
Yamal chance creation was key to Spain’s progression into the tournament’s semi-finals. He has created more chances (14) than any other player from his team and is the fourth-highest in the tournament.
His third assist helped Dani Olmo to open the scorecard against Germany. He is the first teenager to have recorded three assists at a single edition of the Euros. He is currently sharing the least in the Euro 2024 assist list with Netherlands’s Xavi Simons.
Will the suspensions sting Spain?
STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: Dani Carvajal celebrates at the end of the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normund will both serve suspension in Spain’s semi-final clash. Le Normund picked up his second yellow card of the tournament in the 29th minute of his side’s match against Germany. Carvajal was booked in the 100th minute and was going to face suspension anyway. In the closing minutes of the clash with Germany, the 32-year-old was sent off the field for preventing a German attack on the Spanish goal.
This means Spain is missing their defensive starters. It would let Nacho and Jesus Navas come into the side. The duo’s form ensured that Spain only conceded thrice in the entire tournament. Though Kylian Mbappe isn’t in form, the missing defensive line would need to step up to stop the French striker from threatening the Spanish goalpost.
French forwards misfiring
HAMBURG, GERMANY – JULY 05: Mike Maignan of France reacts during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France at Volksparkstadion on July 05, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
France are yet to play at the standards they usually play. They haven’t played like a team chasing their third Euro title. With their captain Mbappe’s form and fitness a big concern for the unit, they have relied more on keeping a clean sheet. With Mike Maignan’s save ratio of 94%, France has made it this far into the tournament with just three goals to their name.
They won their quarter-finals in the penalty shootout, which Mbappe had to sit out of. Facing the team with the most goals scored, France will need more than just fortune favouring them.
Euros 2024: Will Spain’s goalscoring have an effect over an out of form France? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
