Spain beat France live updates (2024)

Lamine Yamal scored a wondergoal as Spain fought back to beat France 2-1 and reach the final of Euro 2024

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Michael Bailey

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Luke Brown·Managing Editor, News

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Spain beat France to reach final

Spain fought back to beat France 2-1 in Munich on Tuesday to reach the final of the 2024 European Championship.

France opened the scoring early when Randal Kolo Muani nodded in Kylian Mbappe’s inch-perfect cross — the nation’s first goal from open play at the tournament.

But 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal leveled the score with a fine strike from outside the penalty area. And four minutes later Dani Olmo scored Spain’s second with a shot that deflected in off Jules Kounde.

Spain will play either the Netherlands or England in Sunday’s final in Berlin.

GO FURTHERSpain 2 France 1: A semi-final for the ages as Yamal makes history with wondergoal – The Briefing
July 9, 2024 at 6:59 PM EDTPeter Rutzler·Fulham Correspondent

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France’s attack misfires again

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The Athletic

For the first time, a Frenchman scored from open play for France. But it was not the moment that unlocked the French attack.

Randal Kolo Muani’s goal, in the ninth minute, marked the high point of France’s forward play and it hinted at a change.

But thereafter, the brilliance belonged to Spain.

Despite France’s defensive stability in this tournament, it was the attacking excellence of Spain that won out.

GO FURTHERSpain 2 France 1: A semi-final for the ages as Yamal makes history with wondergoal – The Briefing

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July 9, 2024 at 6:52 PM EDTDermot Corrigan·La Liga Correspondent

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Yamal answers Rabiot in the ideal manner

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“Yamal will need to show more than what he’s done so far in the tournament if he wants to be in the final,” said France midfielder Adrien Rabiot at yesterday’s pre-game news conference.

The 16 year old was listening, and replied as many teenagers do — via social media with an Instagram post saying “move in silence, only speak to say checkmate.”

The difference is that this 16 year old can also reply in the adult real world.

GO FURTHERSpain 2 France 1: A semi-final for the ages as Yamal makes history with wondergoal – The Briefing
July 9, 2024 at 6:44 PM EDTLiam Tharme

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A first half of sensational moments

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Tournaments are decided on moments. In many ways, this was reminiscent of the Nations League final in 2021, when Spain opened the scoring then France equalised two minutes later.

The first-half was the reverse this time. Randal Kolo Muani scored his fifth senior France goal, from a flowing right-to-left move of a Paris Saint-Germain trio: Ousmane Dembele switched it wide-left to Kylian Mbappe, who hung-up a back-post cross for Kolo Muani to header in — France’s first open-play goal of the tournament.

Lamine Yamal’s equaliser was even better, the first open-play goal scored against France this tournament.

Meanwhile Dani Olmo, who scored in the two previous knockout rounds put Spain in the lead with three phenomenal touches.

It was a first half filled with supreme quality — these were just three of its finest cuts.

GO FURTHERSpain 2 France 1: A semi-final for the ages as Yamal makes history with wondergoal – The Briefing
July 9, 2024 at 6:36 PM EDTDermot Corrigan·La Liga Correspondent

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Are Spain now the big favourites to win Euro 2024?

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Spain are back in their first big tournament final since the golden generation that dominated from 2008 to 2012.

And whoever they face in the final, they will be big favourites to add a fourth European Championship trophy in Sunday’s decider.

The current La Roja team does not play like those sides which dominated tournaments with a technically excellent but risk-free possession style, which won trophies but left many observers not fully satisfied.

Luis de la Fuente’s team do not play like anybody else in this tournament either, especially the way they get players forward, midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo breaking into the box, while the thrilling wide-players Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal keep opposing full-backs wide as number nine Alvaro Morata moves around the centre-backs.

What these kids and this team are doing in this tournament is very special. They will surely be most neutrals’ favourites too on Sunday, whether they play England or the Netherlands.

GO FURTHERSpain 2 France 1: A semi-final for the ages as Yamal makes history with wondergoal – The Briefing
July 9, 2024 at 6:25 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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The Briefing: A semi-final for the ages as Yamal makes history with wondergoal

  • A first half containing moments of supreme skill
  • That Lamine Yamal wondergoal
  • France’s attack misfires again
  • Are Spain now the big favourites to win Euro 2024?

Dermot Corrigan, Liam Tharme and Peter Rutzler break down all the key moments from a brilliant semi-final. Enjoy.

GO FURTHERSpain 2 France 1: A semi-final for the ages as Yamal makes history with wondergoal – The Briefing
July 9, 2024 at 6:15 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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One down, one to go

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We’re through 46 matches at Euro 2024 now with just two to go. Of the 24 teams that started this tournament’s finals, we have three left — and two of them play tomorrow to face Spain in Berlin for Sunday’s final.

That’s right, it’s:

  • Netherlands vs England in Dortmund come Wednesday (8pm BST, 3pm EDT).

Once again we’ll have full live build-up and coverage of the game, right here at The Athletic.

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July 9, 2024 at 6:05 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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France knew it was coming; couldn’t stop it

Antoine Griezmann’s initial reaction? Well, he wasn’t asked about missing out on starting the semi-final but the France forward — who plays his club football in La Liga with Atletico Madrid — did still speak to TF1:

💬 “We lacked defensive solidity and legs. They were better than us. We knew they hit a lot from distance, and we took a shot from distance (from them). We knew Yamal was left-footed, and we took a left-footed shot (from him).

“The equaliser hurt us and the second goal four minutes later killed us. That’s football.

“It was our strong point from the start but we lost to a big Spain side. No excuses about fatigue or anything. They played extra time too. They were better in everything.

“We started well in the first 20 minutes but maybe we saw it too easy.”

July 9, 2024 at 5:59 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Mbappe: ‘The competition was a failure’

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The post-match reflections were honest from Kylian Mbappe, who may well start to contemplate the fact he will now be seeing much more of Spanish football following his move to Real Madrid this summer.

But for now, the France captain was summing up their exit at the hands of Spain:

💬 “They played a better game than us. A big gap? You’d have to look at the game again. We conceded two quick goals and in the second half we had chances to come back, but we didn’t.

“I asked the doctor if I could (playing without the mask) and he told me I could do what I wanted.

“The competition was a failure. I wanted to be European champion. It’s been a long year and I’m going on holiday to get some rest. I haven’t been good and we’re going home, it’s that simple.

“I need to rest. Then I’m off for a new life.”

July 9, 2024 at 5:53 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Full time stats zone

It was a treat of a first 45 minutes, and a more subtly simmering second half. France made some chances, but Spain kept them under wraps for the most part — and the final numbers show that too…

FT: Spain 2-1 France

  • Possession: 58% — 42%
  • Shots: 6 — 9
  • On target: 2 — 3
  • XG: 0.74 — 1.01
  • Big chances: 1 — 3
  • Blocked shots: 2 — 3
  • Duels won: 34 — 51
  • Dispossessed: 10 — 6

There was the odd, brief loss of concentration at the back for Spain — but France were just as culpable with some of their finishing. And that was arguably the telling difference between the two sides.

July 9, 2024 at 5:48 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Keeping it tight, in the end

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It was such an absorbing encounter — but it was also quite interesting that both teams went at least 34 minutes without a shot on goal at one point in the match.

Spain’s control of the game was perhaps their most impressive facet tonight.

July 9, 2024 at 5:40 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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A historic moment for Spain and the Euros

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Spain have reached their first major tournament final since 2012, and they have done it while achieving history.

We mentioned ahead of kick-off that this could be on the cards and they’ve done it. Spain have become the first team to win six matches at a single Euros in European Championship history.

Not only that. It’s six wins in a row, with their seventh on the way in Sunday’s final in Berlin.

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July 9, 2024 at 5:35 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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A foreign feeling for France

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So France have been eliminated from Euro 2024 at the semi-final stage.

This is the first time that has happened to them at a major tournament since Euro 1996, when they lost out to Czech Republic.

They had won all six of their previous semis.

July 9, 2024 at 5:30 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Deschamps laments Spain’s superior control

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As for France boss Didier Deschamps, here’s his initial thoughts to France’s Euro 2024 exit at the semi-final stage — speaking to TF1:

💬 “They’re a very good team, we knew that, even if we were lucky enough to open the scoring.

“They were superior in their control, even if we tried until the end. They’re the team that had left the best impression so far and they showed it again tonight.

“We perhaps had a little less juice, freshness, which led to too much technical waste in the construction of the game.

“We knew very well that they would press any balls going backwards. We didn’t move forward enough.”

July 9, 2024 at 5:27 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Pitch invader role in Morata knock

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A fresh view of the Morata incident at full time has now emerged, with it becoming clear that it was a member of pitch security who slipped on the turf and into the Spain striker.

That was because he was trying to stop a pitch invader from taking a selfie in front of the celebrating Spain players.

Let’s hope the knock is nothing more than some initial pain and shock for Morata.

July 9, 2024 at 5:24 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Yamal on for the best birthday gift

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That’s one goalscorer we’ve heard from. So what about the other? Here’s the man (teenager) of the moment, Lamine Yamal, also on La 1:

💬 “The important thing was to get through to the final, and now the important thing is the trophy.

“We were in a difficult moment, nobody expected to concede a goal so early. I picked up the ball and I did not think about it. I tried to put it where it went, and I’m just very happy.

“I just try to enjoy myself and help the team to win. And if it goes for me like that, well I am very happy and with the win.”

He will not be 16 come Sunday’s final through. His 17th birthday is on Saturday:

💬 “My objective was to be able to celebrate my birthday here in Germany. And I am very happy to celebrate it here with the team.”

July 9, 2024 at 5:21 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Olmo’s delight at a great team effort

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Lamine Yamal’s stunning goal will grab all the attention, but Dani Olmo’s winner was pretty good too. And as I say, it was the winner! Here’s Olmo speaking to Spanish TV, La 1:

💬 “We are very close now, just one more step. We are really happy, the work this team is doing is incredible. We deserve to be in this final. One small step from glory.

“It didn’t matter if it was a Kounde own-goal or mine; a goal is a goal. It’s for the team, we all score and we are all going through.

“We had set out the game well. In one move they went ahead. But we kept playing as we do, and Yamine’s spectacular golazo… He played such a spectacular game.

“Then my goal, then the second half how we controlled the game, just a great game from everyone.”

And who does he want in the final: England or Netherlands?

💬 “We don’t care. We’ll take on whoever wants it.”

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July 9, 2024 at 5:18 PM EDTDarren Richman

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A disappointing tournament for Deschamps

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The France manager was hoping to become the first man to win the Euros and the World Cup as a player and as a manager by steering France to victory at Euro 2024.

Having won one World Cup and lost the following final on penalties, his credentials are undeniable. And yet France were poor in this tournament, finishing second in their group and never really coming to life.

They showed glimpses of their best in the second half against Spain but lacked composure in the final third. Deschamps will have some serious thinking to do before the World Cup in 2026 if he hopes to recapture former glories.

July 9, 2024 at 5:15 PM EDTMichael Bailey·Live Reporter

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Where Spain targeted their attacks

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The Athletic

For the record, Lamine Yamal played on Spain’s right.

So well done, Nico Williams and co…

July 9, 2024 at 5:13 PM EDTDermot Corrigan·La Liga Correspondent

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Morata clearly not happy

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De la Fuente waited by the tunnel to hug all of his players, one by one, including those who did not feature today; Pedri last.

Only one who did not look so happy was Morata, who appeared to be limping and hurting.

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Spain beat France live updates (2024)

FAQs

Spain beat France live updates? ›

Spain have booked their place in the Euro 2024 final after getting the better of France.

Is France eliminated from the Euro 2024? ›

Spain have booked their place in the Euro 2024 final after getting the better of France.

Who scored Spain v France? ›

Spain beat France to reach final

But 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal leveled the score with a fine strike from outside the penalty area. And four minutes later Dani Olmo scored Spain's second with a shot that deflected in off Jules Kounde.

Who would win, Spain or France? ›

France Prediction. We are predicting Spain to win, with a 35.7% chance of advancing, based on the moneyline.

Did Spain or France win? ›

Spain reached the European Championship decider with a 2-1 victory over France on Tuesday, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest-ever scorer at the continental tournament.

Is Portugal out of the Euro 2024? ›

France beat Portugal 5-3 on penalties: UEFA Euro 2024 – as it happened. All our updates as Portugal crash out of Euro 2024 on penalties following a 0-0 draw with France after extra-time.

Who knocked France out of the Euros? ›

Didier Deschamps takes dig at Kylian Mbappe after France are knocked out of Euro 2024 by Spain. DIDIER DESCHAMPS made a dig at Kylian Mbappe after France were knocked out of Euro 2024. The French were outclassed in their semi-final defeat to Spain at the Allianz Arena last night.

Who is the man of the match today, Spain vs France? ›

365Scores - Your Man of the Match for Spain vs France with a 2-1 win and moving onto the FINAL 🔥 Lamine Yamal 👏

Is Spain in the Euro final? ›

Spain and England will contest the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday (July 14), kicking off at 20:00 BST/21:00 CEST at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany.

Who scored Spain's goal? ›

Spain vs. France Euro 2024 highlights: 16-year-old Lamine Yamal's goal lifts Spain to final. Spain defeated France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semifinals on Tuesday in Munich, advancing to Sunday's final against England or the Netherlands.

Who is predicted to win the Euro 2024? ›

The Euro 2024 final is set and Spain is the favorite heading into Sunday's meeting with England. The Spaniards emerged as the tournament favorite after beating Germany in a quarterfinal and remain the favorite after getting by France in a semifinal.

Has Spain ever won FIFA? ›

This article does not cite any sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Spain is one of only eight countries ever to have won the FIFA World Cup, doing so in South Africa in 2010, the first time the team had reached the final.

Who is favourite, France or Spain? ›

At +175, Spain have roughly a 36.4% win expectancy to win in 90 minutes. France have about a 32.3% chance to win and a full-time draw lines to about 35.7%. France rank second in the world, according to FIFA's current World Rankings, while Spain are eighth.

When did Spain defeat France? ›

After Westphalia in 1648, the war continued between Spain and France, with neither side able to achieve decisive victory. France made some gains in Flanders and along the north-eastern end of the Pyrenees, but by 1658 both sides were financially exhausted, which led them to make peace in November 1659.

Who is in the Euro 24 final? ›

Spain and England will lock horns on Sunday (14 July) in the final of the men's 2024 European Championships, with the former aiming to win their fourth Euros title, while the latter looks to engrave their name on the trophy for the very first time.

Who won France or Spain in Euro 2024? ›

FINAL: Spain 2, France 1

Spain held on for the 2-1 win over France in the Euro 2024 semifinals, advancing to Sunday's final against the winner of the England-Netherlands match Wednesday. Lamine Yamal's fantastic goal in the first half gave Spain the equalizer, with Dani Olmo putting the team ahead minutes later.

Who is the captain of France in Euro 2024? ›

Even without the mask, Kylian Mbappé was outclassed by a 16-year-old Spain star.

How many teams go through in Euro 2024? ›

Qualified teams

Of the 24 teams that qualified for the tournament, 19 had participated in the previous edition. These include the defending champions Italy and runners-up England, as well as 2022 World Cup runners-up France and bronze medalist Croatia.

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