MÜNCHEN, Germany
The battle between the two
most successful national sides of the new millennium, Tuesday's Euro 2024
semifinal between France and Spain at Fußball Arena München, also showcases two
contrasting styles.Didier Deschamps and Luis de la Fuente greeted each other warmly yesterday before today's match.
Spain have dazzled in Germany,
reaching the final four on the back of the attacking brilliance of wingers
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
By contrast France, one of the
pre-tournament favourites who boast one-man offensive powerhouse Kylian Mbappe,
have ground their way to the semis on the back of solid defence, conceding just
one goal in five games.
Spain's 11 goals scored is the
joint most in the tournament alongside hosts Germany, the team they beat in
extra time in the quarterfinal.
La Roja have won five from
five.
Excluding wins on penalties,
no team in Euros history has ever won more than five games in the same
tournament.
While veteran striker Alvaro
Morata captains Spain, headlining the team's attacking prowess are young
wingers Williams, 21, and Yamal, 16, providing speed and creativity from both
flanks.
Williams has scored a goal and
laid on an assist. Yamal is yet to find the net – if he does score at this
tournament he will break the record for youngest goalscorer at the Euros by
almost two years – but has provided three assists, the most at the tournament.
The team's progress has been
underpinned by the relentless positivity of manager Luis de la Fuente, who has
lavished praise on his side at every opportunity.
"This is a winning
horse," the coach said after Spain beat hosts Germany, "and a role
model for our country."
De la Fuente, who has coached
several of the players at junior levels for Spain, said "we can go far.
There is a lot of heart and soul in this team."
Spain will need that heart and
soul considering three players who started the quarterfinal will be absent.
Defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand are suspended while Pedri is out
for the tournament with a knee injury.
Having topped the goal tally
with 16 at the Qatar World Cup, France qualified for the final four at Euro
2024 based on strong defence while their attack has deserted them in Germany.
France have made it to the
semis scoring just three goals – none by a French player from open play.
Only seven sides at Euro 2024
have scored less than France.
Their run includes two
scoreless draws and two 1-0 victories thanks to own goals from an opposition
player.
Deschamps' side have, however,
conceded just one goal – a penalty to Poland's Robert Lewandowski – and kept
four clean sheets.
Superstar Mbappe, who scored
eight of France's Qatar World Cup goals, has scored just once in Germany – from
a penalty.
Despite the apparent lean run,
Mbappe – who missed France's 0-0 draw with the Netherlands with a broken nose –
has been crucial, with his probing run against Austria creating the only goal
of the match.
"Obviously, it would be
easier to win games if we were more effective on the attacking front, but in a
major tournament like the Euro or the World Cup, you can't expect to go far if
you're not solid.
While they may not have set
Euro 2024 alight, the French boast incredible recent experience at major
tournaments.
In the decade since the 2014
World Cup, France have failed to make the final of a major tournament only
once, when they lost to Switzerland on penalties in the last 16 of Euro 2020.
The French were runners up at
Euro 2016 and made the World Cup final in 2018 and 2022, winning the former.
After the quarterfinal win
over Portugal on penalties, Deschamps said France should not "take for
granted" they are again among the last ones standing.
"Being there in almost
every major tournament is something we need to take the time to savour."
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