Spain produced a stunning comeback to knock France out of Euro 2024 and reach the final.
Much was made of Les Bleus’ tournament experience and ability to squeeze out wins, but their luck ran out on Tuesday night in Munich.
La Roja continued to play the tournament’s most exciting football and are deserving of their spot in Sunday’s final, with England or the Netherlands standing between them and a first European title in 12 years.
How the game unfolded
Spain carved out the game’s first chance five minutes in when a deep Lamine Yamal cross found the run of Fabian Ruiz, but his header from six yards sailed over.
And they were swiftly made to pay as France went down the other end and scored with their first attack, which was eerily identical to Spain’s. Kylian Mbappe – free from the shackles of his protective mask – floated in a lovely cross for Randal Kolo Muani, who peeled away from Aymeric Laporte and guided his header into the far corner, ending Les Bleus’ barren run without an open play goal this tournament.
But Spain came roaring back in some style through Yamal, who became the youngest scorer in European Championship history, dancing inside from the left and finding the top corner with a sensational strike.
Minutes later, the game had turned completely on its head. France failed to deal with a loose ball in their own box, and Dani Olmo’s strike was deflected into his own net by Jules Kounde.
France ramped up their search for an equaliser after half-time, with Aurelien Tchouameni first bringing a save out of Unai Simon with a header from a corner.
Simon was then alert to beat away a low cross from Ousmane Dembele that threatened to either reach the onrushing Mbappe or sneak in at the near post as Les Bleus, for the first time all tournament, put their foot on the accelerator.
Another corner saw Dayot Upamecano rise over Nacho Fernandez but head his effort into the ground, with the ball bouncing just over the crossbar on the way back up.
Fabian Ruiz cheaply gave the ball away on the edge of his own box and Theo Hernandez was able to line up a free strike from 18 yards, only for his weak-footed strike to sail over.
Spain were keen to slow play down and Yamal had another stab at goal at the end of a well-worked move, though this time his effort flew behind Maignan’s goal instead of into it.
Mbappe at long last had some space to run into with five minutes remaining, and though he was able to successfully cut inside Daniel Vivian, he couldn’t keep his resulting strike…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at 90min EN…