The French team’s journey in Euro 2024 ends at the gates of the final. Facing Spain, the Blues lost in the semi-final on Tuesday, July 9 in Munich (2-1). La Roja, led in particular by its prodigy Lamine Yamal, will play its fifth final and will face England or the Netherlands on July 14.
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There will be no potential grand national holiday for France this year. On July 14, Les Bleus will not be crowned European champions. The hope of winning theEuro 2024 died on the pitch of the Allianz Arena in Munich, the scene of the first semi-final against Spain. Hermetic if not flamboyant since the start of the competition, the French have, this time, come up against stronger teams than them.
To consultEuro 2024: find the calendar and results
The wonder of Yamine Lamal
Against a Spanish team without Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, suspended, and Pedri, injured, Didier Deschamps’ players nevertheless got off to a good start. Criticized for their lack of realism – two own goals and one penalty goal in five matches – the vice-world champions found the opening on their first opportunity. Kylian Mbappé, without his protective mask, adjusted a cross towards Randal Kolo Muani. Alone in the air in the middle of several defenders, the striker headed the ball and beat Unai Simon (9th).
Trailing despite controlling the ball, Spain took a few minutes to regain their senses. Their salvation came from a stroke of genius from the nugget Lamine Yamal. From 25 meters out, the Barcelona player curled a marvelous left-footed shot to beat Mike Maignan with the help of the post (21st). A gem that brought La Roja back on level terms and allowed Lamine Yamal to enter history as the youngest player to score in a Euro: at 16 years and 362 days, he is better than the Swiss Johan Vonlanthen, who was 18 years and 141 days when he scored, during Euro 2004, against… France already.
Relaunched by Yamal, coach Luis De La Fuente and his men turned everything around in a few minutes. Les Bleus did not have time to digest the equalizer before they conceded a second goal from Dani Olmo. The attacking midfielder, in the area, easily eliminated Aurélien Tchouaméni before making it 2-1 despite the intervention of Jules Koundé (25th). In four minutes, the solidity of the French defense has been shattered.
Les Bleus betrayed by their limping attack, La Roja dreams of a fourth title
Forced to chase the score for the first time, the French team did not find the resources to change the fate of this semi-final. Technically less gifted with the ball, the Blues had too much waste in their game, like these poorly adjusted crosses from Ousmane Dembélé and the starving number of goal opportunities. The Spanish defense was able to bend to the tricolor attacks, but Simon was rarely put in danger.
Didier Deschamps tried to give his team a second wind. On the hour mark, the coach made a triple change with the introduction of Antoine Griezmann, Eduardo Camavinga and Bradley Barcola. At the end of the match, the veteran and top scorer in the history of the Blues, Olivier Giroud, appeared on the pitch to weigh on the Spanish rearguard. But nothing worked, like captain Mbappé, unable to unbalance this solid Spain.
So it is La Roja who will try to win their fourth Euro on July 14, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. France leaves the tournament with a mixed impression, with multiple questions surrounding their attacking animation and the difficulties of Kylian Mbappé, author of a single goal from a penalty. Spain is waiting to find out whether England or the Netherlands will join them in the final.