Stuart's Euro 2024 Series 30: Spain v France

Match 49 - Spain 2-1 France

Spain opened this match like a team who knew destiny awaited, and they'd like to get their by the swiftest means available thank you very much. Within the first few minutes they had a Lamine Yamal cross put over the bar when it should have been, at least, on target.

France held on and, in just the eighth minute, Mbappe placed a similar cross from a similar position and Kolo Muani buried it passed Simon. It was their first goal in open play to not come of an opposition player.

Play continued in a high tempo manner. Spain had more of the possession but when France broke they made use of it and had the majority of touches in the opposition box, and the majority of shots.

Then, in only hte 21st minute, Lamine Yamal got the ball towards the edge of the France box. He twisted one way and turned the defenders, twisted back and curled the ball goalwards. Maignan leapt in magnificent despair and the ball ricocheted from high on the upright and into the net.

France barely had time to recover when Dani Olmo was slamming a shot beyond Maignan and surely towards the net, only for Kounde's attempt at an interception to slam it into the goal behind the floundering goalkeeper.

Twenty-five minutes into the first semi-final and already three goals. The game had the potential to be an all-time classic. In the remainder of the first half it tried to live up to the potential and half time arrived far too quickly. But the second half, while lively and engaging, never brought the goals to fulfil the threat and a couple of cynical fouls brought yellow yellow cards.

In the end France's failure to score goals undermined their attempt to progress and Spain have now eliminated both my pre-final favourites for the tournament show-piece and look good to add a fourth European Championships to their list of honours.

Even if they don't, sixteen year old Lamine Yamal has a tournament to remember and set expectations high for the season to come.

Today's Match is:

England v Netherlands

text by stuartcturnbull art by UEFA & altered by stuartcturnbull