Spain - France summary: score, goals, highlights, Euro 2024

"This Spain team are BRILLIANT"

Having dispatched France in the semi-finals, Spain now have a 60.14% chance of winning the European title on Sunday, according to Opta's 'supercomputer'.

Unless England or the Netherlands turn in a truly memorable performance tomorrow, the winners of the second semi-final will be the underdogs in Berlin.

"This Spain team are BRILLIANT," purr our friends at the Spanish Football Podcast. "So much to like. And they play really good football!

Victorious veteran

Special mention, also, for 38-year-old Jesús Navas, the only survivor from Spain's last European Championship-winning squad. Today, he became the oldest outfield player to appear in the semi-final of a European Championship or World Cup. 

As AS USA's Pablo Caycedo notes in this piece, Navas isn't only 22 years older than Lamine - he's older than Lamine's father!

Spain the better team - Del Bosque

On Spanish television, TVE are now speaking to Vicente del Bosque, the coach who led Spain to their last two major titles, at World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.

Spain were given an uphill battle after that early France goal, Del Bosque says, but “were the better side” once they got over that setback. 

Yep, La Roja are deservedly through to the fifth Euros final in their history.

France's Kylian Mbappé reacts to Les Bleus' defeat to Spain in Munich.

"Illegal things from Lamine"

Rio Ferdinand's take on Lamine's spell-binding display today:

Casillas celebrates Spain win

Iker Casillas, the last Spain captain to lift a major trophy, has posted on X: "Yes, yes, yes, we're off to Berlin!"

"Vamoooooooos"

Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, who is currently attempting to defend his title at Wimbledon, has reacted to La Roja's win:

Lamine picks up man-of-the-match award

Lamine is, indeed, named UEFA's player of the match. He's just been speaking to Spanish broadcaster TVE:

Victory:

“Really happy to make the final. The most important thing now is winning the title."

Stunning equaliser:

“It was a difficult moment because of the early goal France scored. I just picked it up and decided to have a go.”

Spain's twinkle-toed teenager

Lamine Yamal was once again utterly sublime. Our friends at SofaScore have him as their player of the match - as, you would think, will UEFA.

He has become the first player under the age of 17 to score at a European Championship or World Cup.

"We've managed to the impossible"

I like this summary from Mister Chip: "Spain are so bloody good that we've managed to do the impossible: make a France game entertaining." 

Spain one step away from record Euros crown

Having won their sixth game out of six in Germany, Spain will have the opportunity to lift a record fourth European title in Berlin on Sunday. 

We now wait to find out who their opponents will be: one of England or the Netherlands, who meet in the second semi-final in Dortmund tomorrow.

Peeeep peeep peeeeep! Spain are into the final!

It's no more than they deserve. They were the more inventive team in attack, and when they needed to defend their lead they did so effectively. France really, really struggled to create clear-cut openings.

On the left wing, Merino wins a free-kick off Koundé. Quite understandably, he celebrates as if he'd just hoofed the ball into the net from 40 yards.

Spain keep the ball very well, drawing 'olés' from their fans. 

France finally win it back, and will have one more chance to attack. Barcola lifts the ball into the box to Griezmann, whose header flies over the bar. That, one would think, would be that.

Here is that double Spanish substitution. Lamine and Williams are off for Ferran Torres and Martín Zubimendi.

Spain keep it a for short period in the France half, before Rodri tries to dink a ball into Ruiz's run into the penalty area. He fails to find his team-mate. 

Spain are so, so close to reaching the fifth Euros final in their history.

Griezmann lifts the ball into the France area, but Upamecano can't direct his header goalwards.

Spain are about to make a double substitution.

Five minutes will be added on in Bavaria.

France clear a Spain corner and tear forward, before Lamine is booked for hauling Hernández down as he crosses the halfway line.

The entire Spain bench is on its feet when Camavinga catches Cucurella with a very late challenge on the halfway line, just in front of the dugouts. Camavinga is booked.

Again France come forward in search of an equaliser. From the right-hand channel, Upamecano clips a high ball into the area, where Laporte heads it away.

Oh, that's a let-off for Spain. They've rarely allowed Mbappé to run at a back-pedalling defence - if at all, indeed. This time, though, he gets to do just that, turning Vivian inside and out before cutting inside onto his right to shoot, from just inside the box. 

Spain breathe a big sigh of relief when he gets under his strike, sending it high into the stands.

Laporte briefly leaves the field, but is back on.

Laporte is in a heap on the floor, after a collision with Giroud.

The medics are on, and give the defender some fairly lengthy assistance. He looks fairly dazed and is touching his nose, which he hit off Giroud's shoulder.

Lamine almost scores exactly the same goal again! Scuttling in from the right-hand side, he breezes into shooting space at the top of the box. As in the first half, he wraps his boot around a curling effort that's directed at the far top corner... but this time his aim isn't quite as on point. His shot flies just past the woodwork.

Again Barcola scampers forward down the left, surging towards the byline. Before he can cut the ball back, Nacho is there to block.

It's out for a corner, which comes to absolutely naff all. Spain bring it clear.

France throw Olivier Giroud on for Dembélé.

Spain make two substitutions, replacing Morata and Olmo with Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino.

Ah, now that is a good chance for the French. Spain fail to deal properly with Griezmann's cross, which is knocked down by Dembélé at the back post. Camavinga shows good hustle to poke it to Hernández at the top of the box... but the left-back blazes over! That was a very decent shooting opportunity.

Without wishing to jinx the Spaniards, they look relatively comfortable. France are really struggling to create anything clear-cut.

Having won the ball back from the French, Spain keep it for a good 90 seconds or so in the midfield. 

Dembélé cuts it back for Koundé to clip the ball in from the right, but it's easily cleared by Lamine.

A moment later, Mbappé tries to push his way past a wall of red and into the box, but cannot breach that wall.

On the French left, Barcola zips into the box and to the byline, before cutting it back into the middle. Ruiz, who produces a slightly heart attack-inducing flourish, is there to clear the danger.

Spain are preparing to shuffle their pack. Twenty minutes between La Roja and the final.

It's pretty much all being played in the Spain half now. That said, France aren't exactly creating a whole lot.

Back come France. Dembélé drops a shoulder and cuts in from the right, before attempting a give-and-go with Mbappé. He manages the 'give' part, but tumbles to the turf before he can get the 'go' bit done.

He looks pleadingly at the referee for a free-kick, which he does not get.

Camavinga plays it forward to Mbappé, who brings it down on the edge of the Spain box. He slips it out to the left to Hernández... who overruns it with his control. The ball trundles out for a Spain goal-kick.

From the left, Dembélé swings a corner high over to Upamecano at the back post. He rises to meet it, heading it downwards towards goal. He nods it too far downwards, however, and it bounces high back into the air and flies out.

Here is that triple change. Rabiot, Kanté, Kolo Muani are off for Bradley Barcola, Eduardo Camavinga and Antoine Griezmann.

Tchouaméni is booked for a foul on Rodri.

France are preparing to make a triple change.

Spain are half an hour from returning to the final of a major tournament.

They have plenty of work to do yet: France get Dembélé haring down the right, towards the byline. He squares it first time, but can't find Mbappé at the near post. Simón gets a firm hand to the delivery, and Spain clear.

There's a stoppage when a pitch invader runs onto the pitch. But it's dealt with swiftly.

Jesús Navas has tweaked something, and will have to come off. 

He's replaced by Dani Vivian, who will slot in at centre-back. Nacho will slide across to the right.

Again Spain get Williams chasing down a ball down the left, with Koundé straining every sinew to keep up. Williams very nearly beats Koundé to the ball - and, had he done so, he would have been in. Koundé just manages to hold him off, though, and Maignan clears the danger.

France sling another ball into the box, Koundé delivering from the right. It runs through to the back of the box, where Lamine wins Spain a throw-in.

There's a half chance for Tchouaméni! The Real Madrid midfielder rises highest to meet a corner from the right, and gets plenty of power on his effort. He directs it downwards, too, but can't send it far enough into the corner. It's straight at Simón, who clutches onto it.

On the left, Mbappé twists and turns before sending a high ball over to the back post. It's too high, and Dembélé has to chase it down to the back of the box. Dembélé then succeeds in bringing the ball down with real skill and aplomb, but his cross from the right is straight into Simón's arms.

Cucurella - still being booed - gets to the left-hand byline and zips a low cross towards the near post, where Morata is busting a gut to get to the delivery.

Saliba is there just ahead of the striker.

At one end, Dembélé fires a low cross into the Spain box, but it's cleared. At the other, Navas whips it into the France area, with the same result.

Maignan has been feeling his hammy ever since he charged out to meet Williams there.

We'll have to see what comes of that.

Right away, Spain launch a rapid counter-attack that forces Maignan into the riskiest of forays out of his box.

Ruiz threads the ball out to the left towards Williams, who's haring into space in behind a comparatively sluggish Koundé. For a moment, it looks like he's in - but Maignan is quickly out, right across to the flank, to slide in and nick the ball off Williams' toes.

Peeeeep! The second 45 is go in Bavaria.

No half-time changes, it would appear.

Teams back out in Munich!

The players have emerged from the tunnel at the Allianz Arena, and we're just about to get back underway.

Lamine lights up the Allianz

Lamine Yamal celebrates his stunning equaliser with members of the Spain bench.

France defence finally breached from open play

As Spanish stats guru Mister Chip points out, those Spain goals are double the amount France conceded in their first five games at Euro 2024.

They're also the first Les Bleus have let in from open play in Germany.

Kolo Muani's drought-ending goal

Also courtesy of SofaScore, Randal Kolo Muani's opener ended a run of nearly 500 minutes without a Frenchman scoring a goal from open play.

Lamine follows in Raúl's footsteps

According to our friends at SofaScore, Lamine Yamal has become the first Spaniard in 24 years to score a goal from outside of the box at the European Championship.

Dani Olmo celebrates after Jules Koundé turned his shot into the net to give Spain a 2-1 lead in Munich.

Peeep peeep peeep! Slavko Vincic calls time on what was a thoroughly enjoyable first half of association football.

Spain responded magnificently to the early concession of that Kolo Muani goal, and they lead at the break.

Nacho carries the ball out of defence, drives past Kolo Muani and is sent flying to the floor when the forward catches him. Nacho makes as much as he possibly can of the challenge - he knows exactly what he's doing - but Kolo Muani escapes without a booking. 

Lamine has only gone and overtaken Pelé with his goal tonight. No big deal, like.

Now Rabiot clips the ball into the Spain box, but Ruiz is there to nod it away.

Two minutes of time added on in Munich.

Again Dembélé sends in a free-kick from wide, but again Spain head it away. Morata it was this time.

The problem for France, here, is that when they lose it in attack, Spain immediately get their speedsters haring forward on the wings.

On this occasion, Williams scuttles down the left flank before switching it to Lamine. Spain appear to have caught France very much on the hop, but finally Lamine's shot ricochets off a white shirt and away from danger.

France win a free-kick which Dembélé delivers from the right. It's arrowing right onto Upamecano's head, but Navas gets there before the Bayern Munich centre-back. Navas earns well-deserved high-fives and backslaps.

At the other end, Dembélé delivers a corner from the right, but Laporte rises highest to head away.

All of a sudden, we're closing in on half time. You can't take your eyes off this game. 

Spain look so, so good going forward. They create a decent opportunity for a third when it's worked to Ruiz at the top of the box, in plenty of space to pull the trigger.

Ruiz tries to bend a shot into Maignan's right-hand corner, but his shot is deflected wide.

Hernández goes flying into Lamine on the right wing, leaving the teenager in a heap. Lamine's team-mates energetically enquire of Hernández what the deuce he was playing at, before peace is finally restored. No booking for the France left-back.

By the way, Cucurella is being jeered by a sizeable section of the Allianz Arena crowd. One can only assume that the individuals dishing out the jeers are aggrieved Germans, making known their displeasure at the penalty their team didn't get when the ball hit Cucurella's hand in Friday's quarter-final.

Blimey, Spain's wingers are just so dangerous. 

This time it's Williams who squares up to the French defence. It tooks a couple of men to dispossess him on the edge of the penalty area, but the loose ball runs on to Morata just inside the box. 

Morata tries to turn his way into space to shoot, but can't. The ball finally squirts loose and into Maignan's arms.

From the right, Lamine feeds it inside to Olmo, who again tries to wriggle his way into the French box. He's dispossessed this time.

When France break, Mbappé runs at Navas and Nacho, before tumbling to the floor. He gets no change out of Mr Vincic.

On the right, Morata is penalised for a shove, and France can send a free-kick into the box.

The delivery, however, is well overhit. A chance wasted.

So, now the question is posed of France: how can they respond?

On the right, Dembélé dances into a crossing position before trundling a daisy-cutter across the Spain box. It can't find a white shirt, though, and is cleared.

Well, this is all set up rather nicely, isn't it.

Spain get their foot back on the ball. Can Luis de la Fuente's men find a quick response to that France opener?

Well... not for the moment, at least. When France win it back, they open Spain up again. On another day, they might have had a second.

Cutting in from the left, Mbappé jinks into to space to shoot. His effort fires off Nacho's legs and drops straight to Kolo Muani at the back stick, but the forward can't control and the ball dribbles away from danger. A let-off for La Roja.

Mbappé takes the free-kick, which is in a fairly central position, but slaps it straight into the wall.

Navas, by the way, is setting a major-tournament record today.

Navas is the first man to go into Slavko Vincic's book, after ending a quick France counter by scything Rabiot down.

France have a dangerous free-kick some 35 yards out from goal, and Spain's bright start suddenly feels like a while ago.

Well, I say that France only need a moment's inspiration to hurt their opponents, but said inspiration had hitherto been somewhat absent at Euro 2024. That's Les Bleus' first goal in Germany that wasn't a penalty or an own goal.

There's the first moment of real attacking danger from France, who have otherwise done nothing but defend so far.

Breaking at pace, Kolo Muani slips a low through ball into Mbappé's run towards the Spain box, but Navas is quickly across to boot the ball away.

It's pretty much all Spain ball in these opening minutes.

From the left, Williams clips an outside-of-the-boot ball over to the far post, but again the ball is too long for Morata.

However, Spain then recycle it to Lamine, who drifts in a venomous ball right onto Ruiz's head - but he can't keep his header down from close range! It was a fine chance for the PSG man, some six yards out from goal.

Spain begin on the front foot.

Lamine scuttles inside from the right, spraying it wide to Williams on the other flank. Williams looks up and finds Ruiz with a neat ball into the area. Ruiz spins and dinks a cross across goal... but it's just behind Morata at the back post.

A bright attacking start from Spain, though.

A reminder of the teams:

Spain: Simón, Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Ruiz, Yamal, Olmo, Williams, Morata.

France: Maignan, Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández, Kanté, Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Dembélé, Kolo Muani, Mbappé.

Peeeep! We're underway!

Who’s the ref? Who's the VAR?

Slovenia’s Slavko Vincic, who took charge of last season's Champions League final, will be the match referee in Munich.

Vincic's compatriot, Nejc Kajtazovic, will be the video assistant referee. 

My colleague Calum Roche has put together a profile of Vincic.

Anthems done, handshakes done. Only the coin toss separates us from go time!

Teams out!

The teams make their way out onto the field at the Allianz Arena, where it's time for the national anthems. France first.

By the way, it rather looks like Kylian Mbappé won't be wearing his mask today. That's despite his head coach, Didier Deschamps, telling reporters yesterday that the striker would have to use it for a while yet.

EURO 2024

When is Spain - France? Times, how to stream online and watch on TV | Euro 2024

If you're still not sure how you can watch today's game on TV or online, let me point you in the direction of our guide on where to tune in.

On the subject of insightful footballing analysis...

...it's also worth noting that today's semi-final is the Omelette Derby. Only one winner in that particular head to head, if you're asking this Spanish resident.

Euro 2024 a Eurovision tiebreaker?

By the way, the four semi-finalists at Euro 2024 were also the joint winners of the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest. Clearly that's the exactly the kind of relevant, razor-sharp analysis that you're here for.

Spain vs France: the betting odds

Like the statisticians, the bookmakers are also backing Spain to beat France.

According to Oddschecker, a win today for Luis de la Fuente's men is priced at +165. France are just behind on +200.

Opta opting for Spain success

Opta’s ‘supercomputer’ makes Spain the slight favourites today: it gives La Roja a 53.51% chance of making the final at France’s expense. The French, meanwhile, are rated at 46.49% to go through.

Opta also have Spain as the frontrunners for the trophy right now. They're given a 31.72% chance of securing a record fourth European crown, ahead of France on 27.61%, England on 22.58% and the Netherlands on 18.09%

Spain vs France joins select fixture club

On the subject of the two teams’ head-to-head record, stats specialists Opta note that Spain vs France will today become only the third fixture in history to be played at every stage of either the Euros or the World Cup.

The others are Spain vs Italy and England vs Germany.

What is Spain and France's major-tournament H2H?

This will be Spain and France’s sixth meeting at a major tournament. 

Les Bleus hold the head-to-head upper hand as things stand, having won three of those meetings: in the final of 1984 Euros, in the Euro 2000 quarter-finals and in the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup.

There has been one draw, in the Euro ’96 group stage, and Spain came out on top in their most recent major-tournament clash. On their way to lifting the title at Euro 2012, La Roja were 2-0 winners in the quarter-finals, thanks to a brace by Xabi Alonso.

Spanish fans get the atmosphere going ahead of kick-off in Bavaria.

Can Spain rediscover semis mojo?

Until they lost to Italy in the last four at Euro 2020, Spain were also quite the semi specialists. 

Before their shootout heartbreak three years ago, the Spaniards had, by my count, been on run of five straight wins in major tournament semi-finals: at Euro ’64, Euro ’84, Euro 2008,  World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.

France follow through when they get a semi

It should also be noted that France have a tremendous recent record in major-tournament semi-finals. 

The two-time world champions haven’t lost a last-four tie since going down on spot-kicks to the Czech Republic back at Euro ’96.

Since then, have won six major semi-finals in a row: at World Cup ’98, Euro 2000, World Cup 2006,  Euro 2016, World Cup 2018 and World Cup 2022.

Can France reach yet another final?

Were France to make it to Berlin, it would be their fourth final in the last five major tournaments. Say what you like about their snooze-tastic football, but they have quite a record at the moment.

A Berlin final would not be their first at the Olympiastadion, either. In 2006, the stadium witnessed Les Bleus go down to Italy in the 2006 World Cup final, as Zinedine Zidane quite literally ended his career with a bang.

When and where is the Euro 2024 final?

Spain and France will be battling it out tonight for a place in the final on Sunday, July 14, at Berlin's Olympiastadion.

The winners in Munich will face either England or the Netherlands, who go head to head in the second semi-final tomorrow.

France's firm defence

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Deschamps was unapologetic, to say the least, about his team's less-than-thrilling brand of football.

He's a firm believer that defences win trophies - and, while France are hardly lighting up the tournament with their attacking play, there can be no doubting that their backline has a rather more impressive record.

France have four clean sheets from their five Euro 2024 games so far, and are yet to concede from open play. The only goal they have let in was Robert Lewandowski's penalty for Poland on group-stage matchday three.

What the coaches said: Deschamps

What the coaches said: Luis de la Fuente

Griezmann goes as France make two changes

As has been rumoured in the build-up to today's clash, the out-of-sorts Antoine Griezmann has dropped to the bench.

France boss Didier Deschamps replaces him with winger Ousmane Dembélé, in a change that will presumably see Les Bleus line up in something more like a 4-3-3.

Meanwhile, Adrien Rabiot is back from suspension and returns the midfield, in place of Eduardo Camavinga.

France's confirmed line-up

France's XI has dropped. It is: Maignan, Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández, Kanté, Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Dembélé, Kolo Muani, Mbappé.

How did France reach the semi-finals?

France failed to top their group - the first time that has happened at a major tournament since Euro 2012. Les Bleus only managed a win and two draws in Group D, and came second to surprise leaders Austria.

They then edged to a 1-0 win over Belgium in the last 16, before squeaking through an even tighter quarter-final with Portugal. The French prevailed on penalties, after a 0-0 draw with the 2016 European champions.

France fumble into final four

France are also in the house.

While Spain have been a joy to watch, Les Bleus certainly have not.

Indeed, Didier Deschamps’ men are in the semi-finals despite failing to score a goal themselves from open play.

So far, their three strikes at Euro 2024 have been two own goals - by Austria’s Max Wöber and Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen - and a Kylian Mbappé penalty.

Spain's Lamine Yamal (left) and Fermin López (right) take a stroll on the pitch ahead of today's semi-final.

Oh, those retro Euro '96 shirts. Me likey.

Like father, like son for the Merinos

Merino's winner against Germany really is a cracking story.

Thirty-three years ago, the midfielder's father Miguel also scored a memorable goal at the same stadium, in Osasuna's 3-2 UEFA Cup triumph over VfB Stuttgart. Merino Sr reacted to his goal with an iconic, running-round-the-corner-flag celebration - and his son recreated it on Friday.

Three enforced changes for Spain

Spain line up as expected in Munich. Veteran Jesús Navas deputises for Dani Carvajal at right-back, while Nacho Fernández is in at centre-back for Robin Le Normand. Carvajal and Le Normand are both suspended.

Luis de la Fuente's third change to the team that started against Germany is the introduction of Dani Olmo, who takes the place of the injured Pedri.

Spain's confirmed line-up

Spain have already released their XI to face the French. De la Fuente has gone with: Simón, Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Ruiz, Yamal, Olmo, Williams, Morata.

How did Spain reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals?

Having topped Group B without conceding a goal, Spain thumped Georgia 4-1 the in last 16, before setting up today’s semi-final by edging out hosts Germany in dramatic fashion last week.

After Dani Olmo’s opener for Spain in Stuttgart, Florian Wirtz forced extra time with a late leveller - but right at the end of the additional 30, Mikel Merino’s header took La Roja into their second straight Euros semi.

Spain’s win over Germany was the first time they had ever beaten the host nation at a major tournament.

Spain sparkle en route to semis

Unless, for example, you happen to have a particular penchant for France and England's snore-inducing turge, I think we can agree that Spain have been the team of the tournament so far.

With Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams making hay on the wings, Luis de la Fuente’s men have played attractive, attacking stuff - and are the only team in Germany to have won every game they have played.

With a total of 11 goals, Spain are the joint-top scorers at Euro 2024.

Spain vs France: welcome!

Hello! We have just three games left at Euro 2024 (sniff), starting with today’s opening semi-final. 

Seeking their first appearance in a major final since they lifted their third European title in 2012, Spain take on two-time winners France in Munich. 

Runners-up on home soil eight years ago, Les Bleus are chasing a second final appearance in three Euros.

Kick-off in Bavaria is at 3pm ET/12 noon PT.