Spain beat France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semifinal on Tuesday to become the first team to book a spot in Euros final.
Spain has won the Euros three times. (1964,2008,2012)
FOLLOW THE HIGHLIGHTS | SPAIN VS FRANCE LIVE SCORE, EURO 2024 SEMIFINAL
Sportstar takes a look at the major talking points from the crucial semifinal match:
Spain’s domination in Euro 2024 continues
Spain becomes the first team in Euros to win six games in a row and reach the final of the tournament.
Lamine Yamal becomes youngest scorer in Euros history
Lamine Yamal scored an equaliser for Spain against France in the 21st minute to become the youngest goalscorer at the age of 16 years old.
Yamal broke the record at the age of just 16 years and 362 days. The previous record was held by Switzerland’s Johan Vonlathen since 2004 who was 18 years and 141 days old when he scored a goal against France as well.
Dani Olmo masterclass
Spain’s second goal which was initially given as a Jules Kounde own-goal has been now given to Dani Olmo since his shot was directed towards the goal and Kounde’s touch was just a deflection.
Olmo also becomes the joint-leading scorer of Euro 2024 with three goals to his name.
Kolo Muani scores early opening goal
In the eighth minute, Kylian Mbappe slotted a cross in for Kolo Muani who headed the ball into the net scoring France’s first open play goal of Euro 2024.
Spain missing Carvajal and Le Normand
Spain’s trusted centre-back Robin Le Normand and veteran right back Dani Carvajal were unavailable for selection.
Carvajal was given a red card for a tackle on Jamal Musiala and Le Normand received a second yellow in the quarterfinal clash against Germany and hence are suspended for the semifinal.
Griezmann benched!
Antoine Griezmann has played 5 matches in the tournament and was a regular starter for France but he has been dropped ahead of the crucial semifinal clash.
Coach Didier Deschamps has opted to play Randal Kolo Muani instead.
Griezmann has been an ever-present presence in the French side, playing 84 consecutive games from 2016 before he missed a friendly earlier this year due to an injury.
He has had a poor performance in Euro 2024 and has missed big scoring chances. He has only made four attempts on target.
How is Morata playing despite being suspended?
Although Morata was subbed off without any card in the quarterfinal against Germany, it appeared as if Morata was shown a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor while he was on the sidelines.
This meant that Morata was suspended for the semifinal clash against France, however, he is in the starting 11.
This is because despite the broadcasters showing that he received a yellow card and even the UEFA website showed him suspended for the next game, it was later clarified that it was not the case.
The yellow card was later removed from Morata’s name and UEFA clarified that he wasn’t shows the card by the referee, hence was available for selection.
Lamine Yamal breaks Pele record
Spain’s right winger Lamine Yamal is in the starting 11 of the semifinal clash. At just 16-year-old, Yamal became the youngest player to ever feature in the history of Euros.
The young prodigy has now also broken Pele’s record and is now the youngest player to ever feature in the semifinal of a major international tournament. (FIFA World Cup, Euros, Copa America)
At 16 years and 362 days, Yamal has broken Pele’s long standing record which he made in the 1958 FIFA World Cup. Brazilian legend Pele was 17 years and 244 day and his record his now broken by Spain’s young sensation.
Jesus Navas becomes oldest payer to feature in last four clash
Jesus Navas becomes the oldest outfield player to play the last four of World Cup and Euros. He was included in the starting lineup since Carvajal is out due to a suspension. He is 38-years-old and is the only player from Spain’s 2010 FIFA World Cup winning team to be included in the squad in 2024.
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