Freewheeling Spain face austere French in Euro 2024 final bid
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Spain winger Lamine Yamal, 16, will break the record for youngest goalscorer at a European Championship by almost two years if he were to score in Germany.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MUNICH – The battle between the two most successful national sides of the new millennium, the Euro 2024 semi-final between France and Spain on July 9, also showcases two contrasting styles.
Spain have dazzled, reaching the final four on the back of the attacking brilliance of wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. Their goal tally of 11 is the joint-highest at this edition, alongside hosts Germany.
By contrast, France, one of the pre-tournament favourites who boast one-man offensive powerhouse Kylian Mbappe, have ground their way to the semi-finals on the back of solid defence, conceding just one goal in five games.
Spain have won five from five. Excluding wins on penalties, no team in Euro history have ever won more than five games in the same tournament.
While veteran striker Alvaro Morata captains La Roja, headlining the team’s attacking prowess are young wingers Williams, 21, and Yamal, 16, providing speed and creativity from both flanks.
Williams has scored a goal and laid on an assist. Yamal is yet to find the net – if he does score at this tournament, he will break the record for youngest goalscorer at the Euro by almost two years – but has provided three assists, the most in Germany.
The team’s progress has been underpinned by the relentless positivity of coach Luis de la Fuente, who has claimed they “can go far. There is a lot of heart and soul in this team”.
His conviction has been transmitted throughout the squad, with defender Marc Cucurella saying Spain’s strength lies in the team rather than the sum of their parts.
“We are a group of players that give everything for our teammates and that’s one of the secrets. We have created a great group,” the 25-year-old left-back said on July 7.
“We have a mix of veterans and very young players, and that makes it all very enjoyable. The key is to be like a family. We may not have superstars but, as a team, we are good, we are doing well and I hope we keep that way.”
Spain will need that heart and soul, considering three players who started in the 2-1 extra-time victory over Germany in the quarter-final will be absent. Defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin le Normand are suspended, while Pedri is out for the tournament with a knee injury.
Nacho Fernandez and Jesus Navas are the most likely candidates to fill in for le Normand and Carvajal respectively, and the 63-year-old de la Fuente, who has coached several of the players at junior levels for the three-time Euro champions, has full belief in his squad.
“I have 26 top players, who are competitive for these matches, if one is absent, another will play. This group has exceptional human and footballing qualities. I know they won’t let me down,” he said.
Versatile playmaker Dani Olmo has indeed shown de la Fuente that he is ready to take over Pedri’s role as chief creator, after contributing to both of Spain’s goals against Germany and setting up the winner against Albania in the group stage.
“Olmo is a superb player, a fantastic footballer, I really value him. He thinks about the team more than himself,” the 63-year-old coach said.
Dani Olmo contributed to both of Spain’s goals against Germany as well as setting up the winner against Albania in the group stage.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Scoring has not been an issue for Spain but, surprisingly, it has for France.
Having topped the goal tally with 16 at the Qatar World Cup, Les Bleus qualified for the final four at Euro 2024 on the basis of strong defence, while their attack has deserted them in Germany.
They have made it to the semi-finals scoring just three goals – none by a French player from open play. Their run includes two 0-0 draws and two 1-0 wins, thanks to rivals’ own goals. Only seven sides at Euro 2024 have scored fewer than them.
The two-time continental champions have, however, conceded just one goal – a penalty by Poland’s Robert Lewandowski – and kept four clean sheets.
Superstar Mbappe, who scored eight of France’s 2022 World Cup goals, has scored just once in Germany – from a penalty.
Despite the apparent lean run, Mbappe – who missed his side’s 0-0 draw with the Netherlands
“Obviously, it would be easier to win games if we were more effective on the attacking front but, in a major tournament like the Euro or the World Cup, you can’t expect to go far if you’re not solid,” said France coach Didier Deschamps, who will have midfielder Adrien Rabiot back from suspension.
The Real Madrid-bound Mbappe is France’s third-top scorer of all time with 48 goals in 83 appearances, but the 25-year-old has just two in his last nine caps. However, his teammates insist they are not worried about their captain’s lean spell.
“I don’t think he is going through a bad period... If he is not scoring goals, we need to help him... he is fine,” said Randal Kolo Muani.
While they may not have set Euro 2024 alight, the French boast incredible recent experience at major tournaments, missing out on the final only once since 2014, when they lost to Switzerland on penalties in the last 16 of Euro 2020. They were runners-up at Euro 2016 and made the World Cup final in 2018 and 2022, winning the former. AFP, REUTERS
