Continental powerhouses Spain and France are set to face off in the Euro 2024 semi-finals in the first hour of 10 July at 1:00 am, vying for a spot in the final in Berlin.
Spain, with an impeccable record so far, advanced to Munich by ousting Germany in the previous round. France, on the other hand, secured their semi-final berth after a tense penalty shootout victory over Portugal.
In the first quarter-final, Spain emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Germany in Stuttgart.
Dani Olmo, subbed in for the injured Pedri, opened the scoring for Spain, but Germany equalised through Florian Wirtz. The game seemed destined for penalties until Mikel Merino's extra-time header sealed Spain's place in the semis.
Under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, Spain remains the only team with a perfect record, winning all five of their matches so far.
This achievement sets them apart, as no team in European Championship history has ever won six consecutive matches in a single tournament.
De la Fuente's tactical changes have paid off, leading Spain to victories even with lower possession percentages against strong teams like Germany and Croatia.
Spain's diverse approach, featuring quick passing and pace out wide, has been highly effective. Since the start of 2023, they boast the best win percentage of any European nation, winning 15 out of 19 games under De la Fuente.
Their recent UEFA Nations League triumph has further solidified their momentum, reminiscent of their glory days in 2010.
Spain has advanced from four out of five European Championship semi-finals, with their last defeat in this stage coming at the hands of Italy three years ago. Now, they aim to reach their fifth continental final, the first since their victory at Euro 2012.
Meanwhile, France, seeking to reach their fourth European Championship final, last played in the decider in 2016, where they lost to Portugal in Paris.
Coach Didier Deschamps, a double World Cup winner, is determined to lead his team to victory this time around.
However, France's journey to the semi-finals has been less smooth compared to Spain. They lost the top spot in Group D to Austria and had uninspiring wins over Belgium and Portugal in the knockout stages.
Goalkeeper Mike Maignan played a crucial role in France's quarter-final win over Portugal, making key saves that led to a penalty shootout victory. Concerns remain over the form and fitness of captain Kylian Mbappe, who was forced off before the shootout against Portugal.
Despite his struggles, France has managed to progress with just four goals in their five Euro 2024 matches.
Spain will make several changes to their starting XI due to suspensions and injuries. Right-back Dani Carvajal and defender Robin Le Normand are suspended, while Pedri's knee injury rules him out for the rest of the tournament.
Veteran players Nacho and Jesus Navas are expected to step in, and Dani Olmo is likely to replace Pedri in midfield.
France has no disciplinary issues, but Mbappe's nose injury remains a concern. He has scored only one goal from 20 shots in Euro 2024, contrasting with his impressive World Cup record.
Goalkeeper Maignan boasts a save ratio of 94%, the best of any goalkeeper in the tournament.
Marcus Thuram and Ferland Mendy are set to return from minor injuries, and Adrien Rabiot is back from suspension.
Predicted Lineups:
Spain: Simon; Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams
France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Griezmann; Kolo Muani, Mbappe
