Five Classics Between EURO 2024 Semifinalists France And Spain

Spain and France are set to compete for a spot in the EURO 2024 final on Tuesday, having reached the semi-final in Munich via different paths.

While France has struggled to reach the semi-finals, Spain’s style of play has them as the leading in Germany. Despite this, they must overcome a history of poor performances against France in major tournaments.

Sportxparte looks at five classic clashes between the two nations:

Platini’s Euro 84

The initial encounter between two European football giants in a major tournament occurred during the Euro 1984 final. France, the host nation, clinched victory with the exceptional performance of Michel Platini, who still holds the record for the most goals scored in a single Euros with nine goals.

Platini opened the scoring at the Parc des Princes in a pivotal moment that Spanish goalkeeper Luis Arconada throughout his career.

Arconada allowed the low free-kick from the French legend to slip past him, and then Bruno Bellone chipped the Spanish goalkeeper in injury time, securing France’s inaugural major tournament triumph.

Djorkaeff stunner at Euro 2000

On their path to securing their second Euros victory in the Netherlands and Belgium, France triumphed over Spain with a 2-1 victory.

The quarter-final showdown in Bruges was a memorable encounter that included a free-kick executed by another legendary French number 10.

Zinedine Zidane’s exquisite set piece gave Les Bleus the lead, which was later equalized by Gaizka Mendieta’s penalty.

Youri Djorkaeff then scored the decisive goal for the French team, captained at the time by current manager Didier Deschamps.

Zidane’s last dance

France’s dominance of the fixture in major tournament matches continued on German soil at the 2006 World Cup.

Spain had appeared as the team to beat in the group stage and went in front in the last-16 clash in Hannover through David Villa’s penalty.

But France hit back on their road to the final.

Franck Ribery scored his first international goal to equalize, while Patrick Vieira and Zidane, in his final tournament appearance, propelled France into the quarter-finals.

Spain’s three-peat

Spain achieved their first competitive victory over Les Bleus in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

In his 100th international appearance, Xabi Alonso netted both goals in Donetsk with an early diving header and a late penalty, securing France’s defeat.

Spain would go on to win a third consecutive major tournament after Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Mbappe wins the Nations League

In their most recent encounter, France clinched a 2-1 victory over Spain in the League final in Milan three years ago, amidst controversy.

The final intensified after two quick goals, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring for Spain before Karim Benzema’s remarkable strike equalized the score.

Real Madrid-bound, Kylian Mbappe then scored the winner as a subtle stepover outfoxed Unai Simon.

Spain was furious the goal was allowed to stand as Mbappe had been standing in an offside position, but the VAR official did not intervene as he deemed Eric Garcia’s attempted clearance as a deliberate play on the ball.