DUSSELDORF, Germany — Goal-shy France will be looking to silence the critics when they take on Spain in their Euro 2024 semi-final clash on Tuesday in Munich, while their opponents hope to keep their impressive campaign going even without key players.
With Kylian Mbappe leading their talented squad, France was well among the favourites when they arrived in Germany.
But they have come under fire from fans and pundits alike for a string of unimpressive performances and have reached the last four without scoring a single goal in open play.
Despite reaching the final of the last two World Cups, winning in Russia in 2018 and losing only on penalties to Argentina in Qatar four years later, their Euros record under coach Didier Deschamps is less impressive. In his 12 years, their best result was a runner-up spot in 2016 on home soil.
On Friday they only edged past Portugal on penalties, with Mbappe substituted after another match where he spent more time fiddling with his mask than setting up his teammates.
Deschamps’ France often manage to be dour and dramatic at the same time – defensively solid, they tend to waste chances up front, and they survived against Portugal partly thanks to similarly wasteful Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mbappe’s form after sustaining a broken nose in France’s opener and that of Antoine Griezmann remain big question marks ahead of the clash with Spain, who overcame a raucous Stuttgart Arena crowd to beat the hosts with a goal in the final minutes of extra time.
“Personally I don’t give a damn” about the critics, midfielder Youssouf Fofana said according to Reuters.
“We are semifinalists. Questions about the level of Antoine and Kylian? We have to realise that that’s enough to be in the semifinals. So I don’t see why we would nitpick.”
However, it remains to be seen if it is enough to get past a highly aggressive Spain, who are in imperious form with five straight wins so far at Euro 2024 but who will be missing several key players in Munich.
Midfielder Pedri is out of the tournament after sustaining a knee injury in a nasty clash with Germany midfielder Toni Kroos in their dramatic win on Saturday.
Substitute Mikel Merino’s header in the 119th minute gave Spain a 2-1 win in a nerve-racking encounter that ended with 16 bookings including a yellow card for centre back Robin Le Normand and a red for fullback Dani Carvajal, meaning both are suspended for Tuesday’s game.
Real Madrid defender Nacho will play centre back alongside Aymeric Laporte and 38 year-old full back Jesus Navas, the last player of Spain’s golden generation who won the 2010 World Cup and back to back Euro titles in 2008 and 2012.
Navas will share the right-hand channel with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal, one of the players of the Euros so far harassing opponents’ defences together with Nico Williams, 21.
All in all the team is a blend of deep experience and raw talent that has been thriving under the calm guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente.
“This is everyone’s national team. Unity is strength and if we all keep pushing in the same direction, we can achieve our goals. If we are connecting with our fans then I am more than happy to play a part in generating enthusiasm,” de la Fuente told reporters.
France coach Didier Deschamps savoured seeing his side win a penalty shoot-out for the first time since the 1998 World Cup as they beat Portugal in quarterfinal after another difficult night for star man Mbappe.
“It’s been a long time,” Deschamps said after France beat Portugal 5-3 on penalties following a 0-0 draw at the end of extra time in Hamburg.
“It was a very hard game. We knew how good a team Portugal was, and both sides could have won.
“It was a bit more difficult for us in extra time, maybe because we were tired and they had a lot more of the ball, but we kept our calm and those who took penalties took them well.”
France lost the 2022 World Cup final on penalties to Argentina and also went out of the last European Championship three years ago in a shoot-out against Switzerland in the last 16.
Also beaten by Italy on penalties in the 2006 World Cup final, this was France’s first win in a shoot-out since they defeated the Italians in the quarterfinals of the 1998 World Cup, when Deschamps was a player.
Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana, Jules Kounde and Bradley Barcola all scored penalties for France before Theo Hernandez converted the decisive kick.
“I am proud of my players, even if we are not doing everything perfectly we don’t give up, and once again we are in the semifinals,” Deschamps said.
“I will savour this a little even if we have another game coming up.”
Deschamps’ team has made it this far despite scoring only three goals in five matches – one a penalty by Mbappe and the other two from own goals.
Tuesday’s semi-final fixture
Spain vs France
