Spain eliminate France 2-1 and advance to Euro 2024 final as Kylian Mbappe's side falls short in final push

La Roja book their place in this weekend's Euro final in Berlin

It will be Spain against England or the Netherlands in the UEFA Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday after La Roja edged past France 2-1 in Munich on Tuesday.

Randal Kolo Muani gave Les Bleus the lead after just nine minutes at Allianz Arena but the Spanish hit back through Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo within four first half minutes to turn the game on its head.

Despite a host of changes and greater attacking intent than was exhibited most of this summer in Germany, the French were unable to muster a second goal to go beyond 90 minutes.

Luis de la Fuente's men had to work hard in defense as France pushed in the second half but captain Kylian Mbappe and his teammates were unable to find a second goal.

Spain's triumph also ended Les Bleus' stubborn derensive resistance so the French will not finish this Euro with the best back line despite looking so strong for so long.

In sealing their win, La Roja made history as the first team to win six games at any Euro and maintain their superb 100% winning run from Group B all the way to the final.

Didier Deschamps' men will not go into a third-placed playoff against one of the English or the Dutch who meet on Wednesday, though -- there is not one -- it is just the Spanish who will await the winners at Olympiastadion in the capital.

Final score

Spain 2, France 1

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[Jul 9, 2024 at 4:54 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

FT: Spain 2-1 France

It is all over in Munich and it is the Spanish who will play in Sunday's final in Berlin with La Roja coming out on top 2-1. Yamal and Olmo's goals were good enough to undo the damage done by Kolo Muani. Les Bleus did their best to find an equalizer but fell short and their lack of goals sends them into the third-placed playoff. England or the Netherlands meet on Wednesday to see who will be up against Spain at the Olympiastadion.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 4:42 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Laporte hurt

The Spain defender crashes into Giroud's shoulder and comes off worse with a bit of blood on his face from his nose. The game is paused so that he can receive treatment as the clock ticks down towards 90. Deschamps and his staff will be counting the minutes as they pass and letting the officials know. So far, though, La Roja are coming out on top although there is still time for that to change. Camavinga has been booked and joined Tchouameni on a yellow card.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 4:37 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Giroud time

Deschamps calls upon faithful servant Giroud for the final 10 minutes or so with this potentially his final outing with France unless he or one of his French teammates can conjure up an equalizer from somewhere. Sending on the Major League Soccer-bound target man suggests a more direct approach.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 4:29 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Final 15

Into the last 15 minutes now with France doing most of the pushing and Spain trying to hold on to their one-goal lead. Deschamps is getting frustrated with his changes not yet working out with De la Fuente having only used one so far to withdraw Jesus Navas. Is there to be another goal? If so, who will manage to get it? Hernandez blazes over with his right foot when well-placed with time running out for Les Bleus.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 4:20 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Three France changes

Deschamps rings the changes after the hour with opening goal scorer Kolo Muani, Rabiot and Kante coming off for Barcola, Camavinga and Griezmann. Can this spark Les Bleus back into life in attack? It was almost an immediate impact with Upamecano heading into the ground and over from a corner as the French push to level.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 4:13 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Half chances

Few major openings for either side so far with minor chances aside from a Tchouameni header which was gathered. The French are certainly starting to press the Spanish and a few more attacks could bring a major chance for Les Bleus. So far, though, it remains 2-1 to La Roja with Spain currently advancing to the final.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 4:05 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Back underway

Things are moving again in Munich. No changes on either side so far but a very early call to arms for Maignan who comes charging out of his box to claim the ball. The next 45 minutes will be huge for both sides but it is another mountain for Les Bleus as was the case in Qatar for the World Cup final in 2022. A few French stars are warming up so there could be changes coming.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 3:47 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

HT: Spain 2-1 France

It is the break and we have had three goals already at Allianz Arena. The Spanish lead the French 2-1 despite going behind to a Kolo Muani goal. Yamal's stunning equalizer and Olmo's superb effort have put La Roja in control. Les Bleus have been coming back into it a bit since, but it will take much more than that. A huge second 45 is coming up for France and Deschamps against De la Fuente's outfit -- especially talisman and captain Mbappe.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 3:35 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Spain 2-1 France after 30

We are past the 30-minute mark with the Spanish now ahead and dominating the ball after that quickfire turnaround -- precisely four minutes. Things have calmed down a little, but both sides are still finding openings in and around each other's box. It definitely feels like there could be more goals coming at Allianz Arena, but which way will the next one go?

[Jul 9, 2024 at 3:25 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Spain lead!

Wow -- what a stunning turnaround. Suddenly, it s 2-1 to Spain. Olmo's trickery sees the ball deflected in by France's Kounde who has otherwise been superb. Shocking for Les Bleus, but it is sheer jubilation for La Roja. What an unexpected change of circumstances. The French defence has conceded more times in the space of just a few minutes than they have done all tournament. How will Deschamps' men react? This is the first time that they have trailed all summer. 

[Jul 9, 2024 at 3:21 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Spain level!

Lamine Yamal with a stunner to pull La Roja back into it! Suddenly, it is 1-1 in Munich. Maignan beaten all ends up by a sublime left footed effort which went in off the post. Arguably the goalkeeper of the tournament but the Milan shot stopper did not stand a chance there. What a start! Who said all France games this summer are boring? A stunning opening 20 minutes or so which goes against much of what we have seen so far this edition. 

[Jul 9, 2024 at 3:16 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Rabiot knock

The France midfielder has been receiving treatment so there has been a a break in play, but we are coming back now. A lively start all things considered and Les Bleus have a free kick which Mbappe sees charged down by the wall. The French look sharp going forward and Spain are trying what they can to create. Mbappe, aside from the free kick, has been active in what will be an audition for his future in front of a Spanish audience. 

[Jul 9, 2024 at 3:09 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

France ahead!

Les Bleus lead 1-0! Kolo Muani, who missed a great chance against Portugal, nods home to give the French the lead in Munich. Moments after PSG teammate Ruiz's miss too. Former Parisien Mbappe with the assist! After a VAR check, the goal stands and Didier Deschamps' men lead with a rare goal from open play. Having seen the winning goal against Belgium go down as a Jan Vertonghen own goal, Kolo Muani finally has his goal and the first for France that is not scored by an opponent or a penalty.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 3:06 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Spain chance

What a great opening for Spain. Early header for Fabian Ruiz who has been in great form in Germany. However, the PSG man heads over. Big let off for France who were napping there. Will the Spanish get too many better openings? It could not have fallen to many more ideal players given his two goals so far this tournament. 

[Jul 9, 2024 at 3:01 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Underway

The game has started at Allianz Arena with very humid conditions by all accounts in Bavaria. It looks misty to the eye and the national anthems were delivered with gusto. Time to enjoy the action! 

[Jul 9, 2024 at 2:50 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

France's stingy defense

With just one goal conceded all tournament, Les Bleus are going for efficiency that their host nation would be proud of. With just two wins, three draws and one penalty shootout success across Group D behind Austria but ahead of the Netherlands and then Belgium as well as Portugal, Deschamps is taking no prisoners with his success at all costs approach. Can the French make it to the final without Kylian Mbappe and his teammates finally rediscovering their scoring form, though? How the Real Madrid-man handles this semifinal could be a key deciding factor on top of Adrien Rabiot's return and the potential absence of Antoine Griezmann who could be dropped after a below-par tournament so far. Mike Maignan, William Saliva, Jules Kounde, Theo Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano are writing themselves into the history books but this French side also needs to be wary that such low-scoring numbers have not been seen since the 1960's.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 2:45 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Spain's 100% winning run

No side has ever won six consecutive games at a Euro or six games overall in a tournament so La Roja going to the final would write a new page of history for this continental competition. After a convincing Group B campaign ahead of Italy, Croatia and Albania, Georgia and then Germany followed, with the host nation the first team to deny the Spanish over 90 minutes. Now that has been navigated, the big challenge for De la Fuente and his players will be overcoming key absences such as Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand and Pedri with the latter missing the final injured regardless of this result. Could we be about to witness a new era of greatness from Spain, or will France notch what many feel to be a long overdue Euro title? This matchup promises to be anything but boring with this arguably the biggest battle of totally opposite styles which are so far headed for success in Germany.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 2:40 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Theo Hernandez focus

Another player likely to be involved heavily who has also benefitted from the crossover between these two great talent-rich nations is Theo Hernandez who usually is part of a package deal with his brother Lucas. The Milan man has been a key element at this Euro for Deschamps on the left side of the defence but his PSG-based sibling was desperately unlucky in getting injured as the French titleholders fell short in the UEFA Champions League having already suffered heartache in 2022 with injury at the Qatar World Cup. Marseille-born, like his slightly older brother, it is only Lucas who has played in their shared country of birth -- for now -- with both coming through the ranks in Madrid with Griezmann's Atleti before going their separate ways.

Theo's adventure has taken him across the Spanish capital divide with Real and then on to Italy with Serie A giants Milan alongside current French teammate and Les Bleus' No. 1 Mike Maignan. Lucas would have boosted PSG's France national team quota up further to six players given Mbappe started the tournament as a Parisien alongside now ex-teammates Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Randal Kolo Muani and Warren Zaire-Emery although Maignan, Kingsley Coman and Alphonse Areola also came through the capital club's youth academy. Neither Theo nor Lucas sampled French domestic club soccer in their youth, though, which made Lucas' decision to join Paris despite hailing from Marseille a controversial topic until his performances silenced the critics.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 2:30 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Robin Le Normand focus

Sociedad have not only influenced France's current XI, though, as they have also enabled French talent to ho the other way and serve Spain's national team. Normally at this Euro, Laporte is part of a 100% France-born central defensive unit as Robin Le Normand has also followed his lead and declared for La Roja albeit with no real history at youth level with his birth homeland. The 27-year old has been in Spain for eight years and joined Sociedad's academy from Stade Brestois 29 before the age of 20 and his consistent performances with Athletic Club's Basque rivals did not go unnoticed. The Spanish solved their central defensive issues by capitalising on France's excess of talent, but this is one player who will not be able to come back and haunt Deschamps in Munich this midweek -- he is suspended for this crucial final four clash after his booking in the win over Germany which is a blow for Luis de la Fuente's back line plans.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 2:20 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Antoine Griezmann focus

Even more curious is France-born but Spain-raised Antoine Griezmann who has been a key figure with Les Bleus under Deschamps yet has played his entire senior soccer career in the Spanish system. The 33-year-old hails from Macon but was deemed too small and not physical enough at youth level which eventually pushed him towards Real Sociedad's youth academy at such a young age that he has qualified for Basque second nationality thanks to his time in the Txuriurdin's youth ranks. Griezmann was never allowed to even flirt with the idea of declaring for Spain as his talent was too great but disciplinary in his very earliest years in the French setup could have enabled that change. Instead, the Atletico Madrid man who is in his second spell under Diego Simeone's tutelage is now something of a Franco-Spanish hybrid figure who openly identifies with South American culture thanks to his immersion with Atleti. However, not for the first time this summer, he will only be able to influence this one as a substitute.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 2:10 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Aymeric Laporte focus

Marshalling the Spanish defence in Germany is France-born Aymeric Laporte who was considered a solution to Didier Deschamps' defensive uncertainties only to ultimately declare for La Roja at senior level instead of Les Bleus. Born in Agen which is close to the French region of the Basque Country, the 30-year-old came through the professional ranks with local powerhouse Athletic Club and set down roots during that period which have shaped his feeling of identifying with Spain over France at international level. Despite sharing his first ever club with Deschamps who hails from Bayonne and even has local outfit Aviron Bayonnais' stadium named after him, their mutual history was not enough to stop Laporte from swapping France for Spain despite captaining his birth nation at youth level and later going on to join Manchester City.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

How to watch

Date: Tuesday, July 9 | Time: 3 p.m. ET

Location: Allianz Arena - Munich, Germany

TV: Fox | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)

[Jul 9, 2024 at 1:50 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

France

On the other, Les Bleus are the strongest defensive side in this year's edition, having conceded just once and seeing off Portugal on penalties. France are chasing a fourth Euro final but only the second one played outside of their homeland. Didier Deschamps engineered the 2016 run which ended in defeat to Portugal and he will be keen to avenge that having now seen off the Portuguese. Although the French have been less impressive than the Spanish, they are in a strong run of form generally since the World Cup 2022 final and have shown character to see off Belgium and Portugal after a tricky group stage which has still only seen them concede just once. Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe is not in his best form and has still scored just once, though this French outfit did beat Spain in the 2021 Nations League final and now aim to do so again.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 1:40 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Spain

On one side, La Roja have a 100% winning record so far, although they needed extra time to see off hosts Germany. A 2-1 win over the Germans was enough for the the Spanish to book their final four berth thanks to Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino goals either side of Florian Wirtz's equalizer. Luis de la Fuente's men are the only side to have won all five games so far and no team in Euro history has done six wins in a single edition or even six consecutive wins. Possession is of less importance than before for Spain and their win rate is at 15 from 19 games under De la Fuente which is impressive. Four of five Euro semis have ended in victory for La Roja, but penalties did see them eliminated by Italy at this stage in 2020 but a fifth continental final could now await.

[Jul 9, 2024 at 1:38 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Confirmed XIs

Spain: Three absences change De la Fuente's XI with Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand suspended and Pedri out injured. The latter's tournament is already over and there was initially some confusion over Alvaro Morata's eligibility. The captain is available and Nacho as well as Jesus Navas come into the XI bringing experience while Dani Olmo is Pedri's replacement. Morata is supported by Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.

Possible Spain XI: Simon; Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata (c).

France: Adrien Rabiot walks back into the XI after suspension but Antoine Griezmann is dropped with concerns over his form and fitness against the country where he plies his trade. Mbappe's form and fitness is the main worry for Deschamps ahead of this clash while Mike Maignan is in form and will star once more behind an untouched defense with Rabiot replacing Eduardo Camavinga.

Possible France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappe (c).

[Jul 9, 2024 at 1:34 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Welcome

Thank you for joining our coverage of the massive UEFA Euro 2024 semifinal between Spain and France in Munich. A clash between two of Europe's strongest national teams and the first of two final four meetings boasting major pedigree ahead of the Netherlands vs. England on Wednesday. Stick with us for team news and the best build up before updates from the game itself.