8 July 2024

A UEFA EURO clash for the ages: Spain vs France

The UEFA EURO semi-final clash between Spain and France will take place on Tuesday, 9 July 2024, at the Allianz Arena at 9pm. All the action will be shown live on Showmax Premier League.

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: Pedri of Spain receives medical treatment, before leaving the field, after being up an injury during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024, in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Caparros – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

The UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final between Spain and France has lost a touch of its midfield magic but gained a hefty dose of intrigue. Spain, still riding the high of a dramatic extra-time victory over Germany, will face a hungry French side desperate to find their scoring touch.

Spain were the most dominant force in the group stage, boasting a whopping 68% average possession.

This dominance translated to a tournament-high 22 shots per game, fuelled in large part by the young midfield maestro Pedri.

However, his EURO dream was cut short by a tackle from Germany’s Toni Kroos, leaving a significant hole in the Spanish midfield.

Despite the loss of Pedri, Spain’s possession-based style remains their core strategy. The onus will fall on players like Dani Olmo, who impressed after replacing Pedri against Germany, to step up and control the tempo.

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: Dani Olmo of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Alvaro Morata during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024, in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Up front, Spain will still rely on the in-form Álvaro Morata. He’ll be Spain’s primary weapon against a French defence that has shown vulnerabilities.

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
HAMBURG, GERMANY – JULY 05: Kylian Mbappe 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, on the other hand, come into the tie with a win but lacking their usual swagger. They’ve scraped by in several matches, relying on a tense penalty shootout win over Portugal in the quarter-finals.

Didier Deschamps’ men haven’t been at their free-flowing best, but their resilience and fighting spirit are undeniable.

The biggest threat for France remains the unstoppable Kylian Mbappé. He boasts a phenomenal 5.2 dribbles completed per game, the most in the tournament.

His pace and clinical finishing will be a nightmare for the Spanish backline, especially if they struggle to control the midfield battle without Pedri.

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
COLOGNE, GERMANY – JUNE 30: Nico Williams of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Lamine Yamal during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Spain and Georgia at Cologne Stadium on June 30, 2024 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

However, Les Bleus haven’t been watertight defensively. They’ve conceded in every game so far, and Spain’s patient possession game could expose these gaps if they can exploit the absence of Pedri in the centre of the park.

Key players in the spotlight: Spain vs France, 9 July 2024

Spain

Dani Olmo

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: Dani Olmo of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Stepping into the void left by Pedri, Olmo’s creativity and passing will be crucial in maintaining Spain’s dominance.

Álvaro Morata

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: Alvaro Morata of Spain celebrates after the team’s victory in the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

With Pedri out, Morata’s experience and goalscoring form become even more vital for Spain to counter France’s attacking threat.

Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: Nico Williams of Spain and Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrate with the fans after their sides victory 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)

When football produces daring, exciting players, the eternal question is: how quickly can rivals “work them out” and thus diminish their impact? Didier Deschamps’ analysts must have spent a good amount of time figuring out how they can – or whether they can – produce positional, marking and philosophical solutions to cope with Spain’s dynamic duo of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

France

Kylian Mbappé

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
HAMBURG, GERMANY – JULY 05: Kylian Mbappe of France looks on, whilst wearing a Black Protective Face Mask, during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France at Volksparkstadion on July 05, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The French talisman needs no introduction. His speed and finishing will be France’s biggest weapon against Spain.

William Saliba

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
HAMBURG, GERMANY – JULY 5: William Saliba of France celebrates win after penalties during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France at Volksparkstadion on July 5, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)

The defender’s leadership and composure will be crucial in shoring up France’s shaky defence, especially with the absence of Pedri potentially disrupting Spain’s attacking flow.

Head-to-head record

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
France’s Thierry Henry (r) fires in a shot after beating Spain’s Xavi (l) (Photo by Tony Marshall – PA Images via Getty Images)

The rivalry between Spain and France is historic and fiercely contested. In their last five meetings, both sides have won twice, with one draw. This suggests a close encounter is still very much on the cards.

Prediction

UEFA EURO 2024 on Showmax Premier League
STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: A fan of Spain, wearing face paint in the colours of the national flag and fancy dress, reacts as he enjoys the pre match atmosphere prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

This match has transformed from a midfield maestro clash to a battle of resilience. Spain will look to control the tempo without Pedri, but France’s hunger for goals and Mbappé’s individual brilliance cannot be ignored.

Expect a tactical battle with a touch of desperation. Can Spain adapt without their midfield maestro, or will France capitalise on the disruption and find their scoring touch?

Buckle up for a night of tactical chess and attacking fireworks as Spain and France battle it out for a place in the EURO 2024 final!

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