Yahoo Sports What to look out for on EURO 2024 day 2️⃣2️⃣
It is EURO 2024 semi-final day with the first last four clash taking place between Spain and France in Munich.
What can we expect?
Who is playing today? 👀
Sadly, we have reached that time of the tournament when, for the first time since the opening game, we have just one fixture to enjoy today.
But what a game it is as the Allianz Arena in Munich plays host to a mouthwatering showdown between Spain and France.
Player to watch 🔎
With Dani Carvajal suspended after taking one for the team in the final moments of Spain’s dramatic quarter-final win over Germany, Luis de la Fuente must change things at the back.
By all accounts, the man who will be entrusted to replace him and deal with the threat of France captain Kylian Mbappé on the left flank is 38-year-old Jesús Navas.
That is a task few would envy at the best of times, let alone coming in from the cold (Navas has managed just 99 minutes of action so far this summer) but it should be noted that the evergreen Sevilla veteran has retained a surprising amount of his pace despite his advancing years.
He’ll need to call on every bit of both that and his experience in this one, although that’s something he does have in abundance. After all, the ex-Manchester City winger was already a two-time UEFA Cup winner before international team-mate Lamine Yamal was even born.
Mbappé’s struggles in dealing with his mask and fatigue issues have been documented but he possesses an explosive ability to turn a game in a flash, something he’ll aim to exploit against La Roja’s reserve defender.
Must-watch video 🎥
Spain’s squad players recently engaged in a shooting tournament as first team stars rested following the quarter-final win.
How do they make it look so easy?
Fun facts 📊
These nations have met five times previously in major competition, with France winning three, Spain winning once and the other ending in a draw.
Spain are the only nation to win all five EURO 2024 games – no country has ever won six matches in a single European Championship before.
Mike Maignan’s 94% save percentage is the highest of any goalkeeper at EURO 2024 (to play more than one game) and the best ever since Spain legend Iker Casillas at EURO 2012 (also 94%).
Our prediction 🔮
Spain 0-1 France
Recommended reading
France’s ‘tournament ball’ or Spain’s ideology – how do you actually with the Euros?
Five memorable clashes between Spain and France
Dani Olmo is Spain’s antidote to France’s anti-football at EURO 2024
