Euro 2024 update: France secures semifinal spot despite missing Mbappé
Jul 6, 2024, Saturday.
France advance to semis sans Mbappé
HAMBURG, Germany -- This victory is for Melbourne 2023, Doha 2022, Bucharest 2021, and even Seville 1982. It's for all the penalty shootout heartbreaks that have plagued French football, both men's and women's, through the years.
In Hamburg on Friday, Didier Deschamps and his team exorcised their demons. Despite missing captain and star Kylian Mbappé, who was substituted at halftime of extra time due to a header aggravating his recently injured nose, France displayed confidence and composure. They converted all five penalties to defeat Portugal and lay to rest the ghosts of the past.
Unlike in Qatar, where Deschamps admitted he neglected penalty practice, calling it a "lottery," this time was different. France diligently prepared for this moment, focusing on penalties before the Belgium match in the Round of 16 and again ahead of facing Portugal.
Mentally, the players were better prepared than ever. Eighteen months after falling prey to Emiliano Martínez's mind games, it was Mike Maignan who disrupted the Portuguese, making them wait as he slowly approached his goal.
Twenty-one-year-old Bradley Barcola, with only 18 months of professional experience and no prior shootout experience, calmly executed his penalty. Ousmane Dembélé, who entered the game in the 67th minute and had a decisive impact, confidently scored France's first penalty, setting the tone for the rest of the night.
For the fourth time in the last five major tournaments, Les Bleus are in the semifinals—an incredible achievement. Didier Deschamps, with a World Cup win in 2018 and two more final appearances (Euro 2016 and World Cup 2022), solidifies his legacy as one of the greatest national team coaches ever. His strategic prowess was evident in maintaining faith in his formidable defense led by Maignan and William Saliba, who have conceded only one goal all tournament—a penalty by Robert Lewandowski.
The players celebrated exuberantly, while Deschamps shared a hug and words with Roberto Martínez. Six years after defeating Martínez's Belgium in the 2018 World Cup semifinals, Deschamps again outmaneuvered him in a major tournament. And 40 years after an unforgettable 3-2 extra-time victory in the Euro 1984 semifinals, France has once more shattered Portugal's dreams.
Euro 2024 Insights
Olmo's impact sparks Spain
STUTTGART -- Despite starting on the bench in Spain's quarterfinal victory over Germany, Dani Olmo is set to play a pivotal role in the upcoming semifinal.
The 26-year-old, who plies his trade with RB Leipzig in Germany, made a significant impact by scoring the opener and assisting Mikel Merino's 119th-minute winner as Spain triumphed 2-1 after extra time, knocking out the hosts.
Olmo's introduction came early due to Pedri's injury from a tough tackle by Toni Kroos, which was one of the few setbacks for Spain in an otherwise promising progression. The result marks a potential breakthrough for Spain's youthful squad, answering critics like former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who labeled them as inexperienced "kids."
While Spain didn't display their best form, they capitalized on their direct style of play, with Lamine Yamal contributing significantly with three assists, tying for the tournament lead. Despite being substituted later in the match, Yamal's impact was felt.
Coach Luis de la Fuente's decisions, including tactical substitutions, will be scrutinized, but Olmo's leadership in extra time demonstrated Spain's resilience. Positioned on the left wing, he outmaneuvered Joshua Kimmich, culminating in Merino's decisive header from his cross.
The victory sparked jubilation on the Spanish bench, despite late drama with Dani Carvajal's red card, which will sideline him for the semifinal. The win not only ends Spain's streak of nine consecutive defeats against host nations in major tournaments but also signals their determination to vie for their first European Championship since 2012.
While not a vintage performance, Spain's ability to adapt and grind out results underscores their championship potential, driven by unexpected contributors like Olmo.
High demand for Euro 2024 final tickets
One of the highlights of Euro 2024 has been the packed stadiums across all 10 host cities. Even before the tournament's opening game, UEFA had already received over 20 million ticket applications, showcasing the immense popularity of the event.
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