Spain and France will trade tackles in the first semifinal tie of UEFA Euro 2024 on Tuesday. The game will take place at Allianz Arena and will be a clash between two bonafide heavyweights in international football.
The Spaniards needed extra time to see off hosts Germany with a 2-1 win in a frenetic quarterfinal tie. They went ahead through Dani Olmo's 51st-minute strike from the edge of the box but Florian Wirtz stepped off the bench to draw the game level in the 89th minute. Real Sociedad midfielder Miguel Merino scored the match-winner in the 119th minute and garnered headlines by re-enacting the same celebration his father made after scoring at the same stadium 33 years earlier.
France, meanwhile, eliminated Portugal on penalties to get to this stage. The two sides could not be separated in a cagey goalless draw after 120 minutes. Les Bleus eventually progressed with a 5-4 victory in the shootout, with Joao Felix being the only player to miss his kick.
Didier Deschamps' side came into Euro 2024 as many people's favorites to go all the way. However, they have not been at their best in this tournament and have largely tottered their way into the last four.
Spain, by contrast, have arguably been the standout side of the competition and are now favored to win a fourth European crown.
Spain vs France Head-to-Head Stats
This will be the 37th meeting between the two sides. Spain have 16 wins to their name, and France were victorious on 13 occasions while seven games have ended in draws.
Their most recent meeting came in October 2021 when France claimed a 2-1 comeback win in the UEFA Nations League final.
Spain form guide: W-W-W-W-W
France form guide: W-W-D-D-W
Spain vs France: Numbers you need to know before their UEFA Euro 2024 encounter
- Spain are the joint-most successful nation in European Championship history (three titles alongside Germany).
- None of France's players have scored a goal from open play at Euro 2024.
- Six of the last eight head-to-head games have seen at least one side keep a clean sheet.
- Didier Deschamps is aiming to become the first man to win the Euro and FIFA World Cup as a player and manager.
- Spain are currently on a seven-game winning run.
- France have scored more than once in just one of the last eight head-to-head games.