The highly anticipated semi-final clash between Spain and France at the Euro 2024 tournament is set to take place on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
These two European football powerhouses have met numerous times in major tournaments, and their latest encounter promises to be a thrilling spectacle as they battle for a spot in the prestigious final.
Match Preview
Spain, under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, have been a dominant force in the tournament, winning all five of their matches so far.
The team’s impressive attacking and defensive performances have seen them lead in goals scored, total attempts, and balls recovered.
Key players like Unai Simón, Dani Olmo, and Álvaro Morata have been instrumental in Spain’s success.
The team’s recent form and attacking prowess make them favorites to reach the final.
France, led by experienced coach Didier Deschamps, are aiming for their fourth major tournament final in the last eight years.
The team has shown resilience in their journey to the semi-finals, keeping four clean sheets in their five games.
Despite concerns over the form and fitness of captain Kylian Mbappé, France have found ways to get the job done, with players like Mike Maignan and Théo Hernández stepping up when needed.
France’s wealth of experience in big games makes them a formidable opponent.
Spain have been in excellent form throughout the tournament, winning all five of their matches.
In their quarter-final clash against Germany, they worked hard to secure a 2-1 victory in extra time, with Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goals.
France, on the other hand, have had a more challenging path to the semi-finals.
After finishing second in their group, they narrowly defeated Belgium in the round of 16 and Portugal in the quarter-finals, with the latter match going to a penalty shootout.
Despite their less fluent progress, France have shown resilience and the ability to grind out results.
Head-to-Head
Spain and France have met numerous times in major tournaments, Spain has 16 wins compared to France 13 wins while 7 matches ended in a stalemate.
In their most recent meeting, a 2021 Nations League final, France emerged victorious with a 2-1 win.
Injury and Suspension
France will be monitoring the fitness of captain Kylian Mbappé, who was forced off in their quarter-final match against Portugal.
Meanwhile Spain will be without Dani Carvajal and Normand who have yellow card accumulation and Pedri who is injured.
Prediction
The match between Spain and France is expected to be a closely contested affair.
While Spain are considered favorites due to their recent form and attacking prowess, France’s solid defense and winning mentality from previous competitions make them a formidable opponent.
The match could go either way, with the possibility of extra time or penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.
Betting Tips
Match Result: Given the evenly matched nature of the teams, a draw at the end of regulation time could be a good bet.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: With both teams known for their defensive solidity, a low-scoring affair is a possibility. Under 2.5 goals could be a wise choice.
Both Teams to Score: Spain’s attacking threat and France’s ability to find the net, even when not at their best, suggest that both teams are likely to score in this match.
