Spain recovered from a goal down to edge past France and book their place in the EURO 2024 final.
Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal were on target for Spain in Munich
Spain are through to the UEFA EURO 2024 final after coming from behind to defeat France in Munich.
Key moments
5′: Fabián Ruiz heads Yamal cross over bar
9′: Kolo Muani opens scoring from Mbappé delivery
21′: Magnificent Yamal strike restores parity
25′: Olmo puts Spain ahead with low drive
48′: Maignan darts off line to thwart Williams
76′: Hernández blazes over bar from inside box
86′: Mbappé misses target from edge of area
Match in brief: Spain’s winning run continues
This heavyweight match-up pitted the tournament’s joint-highest goalscorers against the lowest scorers left in the competition, so it came as little surprise that in-form Spain went closest to taking an early lead. Lamine Yamal – the youngest-ever player to appear in a EURO or FIFA World Cup semi-final – delivered an exquisite ball towards the far post, but Fabián Ruiz was unable to steer his header on target.
Lamine Yamal’s fabulous effort struck the post on its way in
Undeterred, France responded with the opening goal of the game just four minutes later. Kylian Mbappé collected the ball on the left side of the penalty area before lifting a tantalising cross onto the head of Randal Kolo Muani, who nodded in Les Bleus’ fourth goal of the tournament from close range. Just over a quarter of an hour later, however, Spain had not only restored parity but completed the turnaround.
After picking up the ball outside the France penalty box, Yamal drew Spain level with a glorious curling finish to become the youngest goalscorer in EURO history. Dani Olmo – who scored one and assisted another against Germany in the quarter-finals – then struck again four minutes after Yamal’s strike, his low drive deflecting off defender Jules Koundé on its way past goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Maignan had to be on his toes to deny Nico Williams an open goal not long after the restart, darting off his line to dispossess the forward with a perfectly-timed sliding challenge. France remained a threat at the other end, though, and Unai Simón needed to stick out a strong left arm to keep out Ousmane Dembélé’s shot from a tight angle just before the hour mark.
There were to be few other clear-cut openings for the EURO 2016 finalists. Theo Hernández spurned their best chance to equalise with a quarter of an hour remaining, blazing over the crossbar after connecting with a loose ball inside the area. Mbappé also went close with a fizzing drive that evaded the bar, but there was no late reprieve for Didier Deschamps’ team as Spain held on to reach their fifth EURO showpiece.
Randal Kolo Muani gave France an early lead in Munich
Vivo Player of the Match: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Graham Hunter, Spain reporter
A seismic match at a tournament full of wonderful moments. I expect neutrals all over the world were glued to this contest. It was sweaty, tense and all-in here. I don’t think anyone doubted that Yamal was the real deal but, honestly, to be here and watch him was simply a joy.
Alex Clementson, France reporter
It all started so well for Deschamps’ team after Kolo Muani’s early header, but even Les Bleus’ stingy defence were unable to keep Spain’s prolific attack at bay. France exit the competition with their heads held high, but this was La Roja’s night.
Reaction
Jules Koundé couldn’t keep out Dani Olmo’s low shot
Key stats
- Spain have been successful in five of their six EURO semi-finals, their only exit at this stage being their penalty shoot-out defeat against Italy at EURO 2020.
- As well as the youngest EURO goalscorer, Yamal (16 years and 362 days) also surpassed Pelé’s record (17 years and 244 days) as the youngest player to appear in a World Cup or EURO semi-final.
- Spain are the first team to win six straight matches at a EURO final tournament without requiring a penalty shoot-out.
- La Roja have only lost two of their last 13 EURO knockout ties.
- Excluding penalty shoot-outs, France have lost juar two of their last 17 EURO matches (W8 D7).
- Les Bleus had conceded only one goal in their last seven games prior to Tuesday’s semi-final loss.
Line-ups
Spain: Unai Simón; Jesús Navas (Vivian 58), Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Yamal (Ferran Torres 90+3), Olmo (Merino 76), Williams (Zubimendi 90+3); Morata (Oyarzabal 76)
France: Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernández; Kanté (Griezmann 62), Tchouameni, Rabiot (Camavinga 62); Dembélé (Giroud 79), Kolo Muani (Barcola 62); Mbappé