Spain had an early Randal Kolo-Muani scare, but fought back with record-breaking Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo to eliminate France and reach the EURO 2024 Final.
They will face the winners of tomorrow’s semi-final between England and the Netherlands.
Both teams made changes, as Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal were suspended, with midfielder Pedri missing the rest of the tournament with a knee injury, so Dani Olmo moved behind Milan target Alvaro Morata and veteran Jesus Navas started. Les Bleus had Adrien Rabiot back from suspension, but surprisingly benched Antoine Griezmann. Another shock was that Kylian Mbappé chose to play without a protective mask after breaking his nose in the opening game.
Former Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz should’ve scored for Spain when nodding a Lamine Yamal cross over the bar, but Randal Kolo Muani did not make a similar mistake with a similar header at the back post on the Mbappé floated ball. Incredibly for being in the semi-final, it was the first goal from open play scored by a French player in the tournament.
Spain hit back with Lamine Yamal’s stunning solo strike, a long-range curler left-foot in off the inside of the far post after a shimmy away from Rabiot, making him the youngest ever player to score in a European Championship just days before his 17th birthday.
LAMINE YAMAL 😮💨😮💨😮💨
An absolute screamer from the 16-year-old!#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPFRA pic.twitter.com/z4AaZwwWJp
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2024
La Roja turned it around moments later, as Dani Olmo controlled a sensational ball that was cleared into his path, juggled it to get away from Aurelien Tchaouameni and the angled drive bounced in off Jules Kondé from close range, although it was going in anyway.
What a game this has turned into 😲
Dani Olmo’s shot goes in off Jules Kounde!#BBCEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/biBgz7RXhN
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2024
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan ran a huge risk straight after the restart when flying outside his box for a sliding tackle on Nico Williams.
Mike Maignan! 🤯#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPFRA pic.twitter.com/UMJYXFq88o
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2024
Dayot Upamecano had a big chance to equalise only to nod the corner wide and Theo Hernandez fired over with his weaker right foot from the edge of the box.
Lamine Yamal tried a replica of the goal and wasn’t too far off, while Mbappé blasted over after cutting inside Daniel Vivian.
Spain have now won all six of their games at the tournament, including a 1-0 victory over Italy in the group phase.
Spain 2-1 France
Kolo-Muani 9 (F), Yamal 21 (S), Olmo 25 (S)
Player statistic
| 9' |  |
Randal Kolo Muani (Assist: Kylian Mbappé) | ||
| Jesús Navas |  |
14' | ||
| Lamine Yamal | |
21' | ||
| Dani Olmo | |
25' |
| 60' | |
Aurélien Tchouaméni | ||
| 89' | |
Eduardo Camavinga | ||
| Lamine Yamal | |
90+1' |
Match statistic
Happy for Spain. They outplayed us in the last euro semi’s but penalties are penalties. Knocking out Deschamps and his chumps is even more satisfying.
This what happens when a country believes in their young talents.
This is the result of developing & giving trust in youths.
Bravo Spain.
Wish for Italy once to believe and give chances for their many young talents.