Spain versus France, two football heavyweights will clash tonight in a mouth-watering semifinal clash between both the current and pre-tournament favourites. The talismanic Kylian Mbappe will lead the line for the French, while promising young winger Lamine Yamal is also catching the eye. However, France’s form has faltered, despite expectations that they would dominate the competition......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Despite reaching the final of the last two World Cups—winning in Russia in 2018 and narrowly losing on penalties to Argentina in Qatar in 2022—France’s 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.
In the quarterfinals, France edged past Portugal on penalties, with Mbappe being substituted after spending more time adjusting his mask than threatening the opposition goal.
Mbappe’s form, after sustaining a broken nose in France’s opener, and the form of forward Antoine Griezmann remain significant question marks ahead of the clash with Spain, who knocked out hosts Germany with a goal in extra time.
“I don’t give a damn [about the critics],” midfielder Youssouf Fofana told a press conference on Sunday. “We are semifinalists. Questions about the level of Antoine and Kylian? We have to realize that being in the semifinals is enough. So I don’t see why we would nitpick.”
The second semi – final will see England do battle with Netherlands on Wednesday