With a gold medal on the line, tensions could quickly escalate here. After an unfortunate collision between Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eric Garcia both players are brought down but play continues under referee’s supervision.
Spain National Football Team vs France National Football Team Lineups: Spain make two changes, as Jesus Navas of Athletic Bilbao is replaced by Dani Vivian from Athletic Bilbao, leaving Nacho at centre-back alongside Aymeric Laporte and 38-year-old fullback Jesus Navas as fullbacks.
Spain: Simon (GK)
Simon made one save in Spain’s 1-0 win against Italy and has kept two clean sheets for them so far – looking to add another impressive performance here.
Luis de la Fuente must adjust his defense for this match without Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand due to injuries. Nacho Fernandez could take Aymeric Laporte’s place alongside Aymeric Laporte.
He also has several options at full-back, with Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella both showing their talents on the right flank. Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella performed strongly for Barcelona on this side. Meanwhile, in midfield the “carousel” of Xavi and Andres Iniesta will be joined by Pedri and an rejuvenated Lamine Yamal, who was an unused sub in the first half and may come on for the second.
Jesus Navas
Jesus Navas (born 21 November 1985) is a Spanish professional footballer currently playing as right-back for and captaining La Liga side Sevilla in La Liga. Additionally, he has represented his nation 56 times at major tournaments such as 2010 World Cup, European Championships and 2022-23 Nations League tournaments.
After an outstanding performance for France in their quarterfinal victory against Portugal, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid centre-back Antoine Griezmann was left out of Didier Deschamps’s team for Euro 2024 semi-final clash against Spain. Additionally, Pau Cubarsi was also cut from his squad, leaving only fullback Dani Carvajal available.
Navas was an outstanding performer in Spain’s 4-1 win against Georgia in Group B, earning himself an outstanding 7.1 Sofascore rating – the highest among any defender at this tournament so far.
Nacho
After an uneven start to their Euro 2024 campaign, Spain have found their form in Munich and are now among the favourites to lift the trophy. They take on Kylian Mbappe’s France in an intense semifinal clash on Tuesday evening.
Luis de la Fuente will likely rely on the same side that secured victory against Georgia in their previous group game, including Pedri, who is back from his knee injury which forced him off against Germany, Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand who are all fit to take their places on the pitch.
Jesus Navas will join them, while Marc Cucurella from Chelsea will continue at left back.
Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte has established himself as one of Spain’s premier centre-backs since moving on from Manchester City, yet his exclusion from France under Didier Deschamps was unexpected. Although Laporte played 51 times for France’s youth teams prior to senior selection he never received permission to represent Les Bleus at senior level.
Luis de la Fuente will leave out Barcelona star Gerard Pique in favor of Nacho at centre back against Croatia, with Dani Carvajal and Real Sociedad’s Pau Cubarsi as cover players for his absence.
Manchester City defender Laporte will look to engage in physical battle with opposing attackers and will keep an eye out for any players making runs towards his team’s defence. Additionally, Laporte should remain wary of potential counterattacks and mark opposition full-backs high up the pitch. His side’s rivalry with Spain remains one of the fiercest in international football, so their Euro 2024 semifinal promises to be an exciting contest.
Dani Olmo
Dani Olmo will replace Barcelona midfielder Pedri in Spain’s starting XI for their semifinal clash against France, due to three player suspensions. The RB Leipzig star has been impressive under Luis de la Fuente’s coaching this tournament – scoring two goals while providing two assists.
Olmo has also played well for RB Leipzig and may be asked to mark Kylian Mbappe during this clash. Olmo will join Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Lamine Yamal as part of RB Leipzig’s attack that proved impressive against Germany during their quarter-final victory.
Rodri
Luis de la Fuente’s decision to drop Barcelona midfielder Pedri from his starting lineup is intriguing, given he sustained a knee injury against Toni Kroos during their quarterfinal clash and will miss Tuesday’s semi. Instead, Dani Olmo will replace him – having scored two goals so far while providing two assists so far this tournament.
Manchester City’s Rodri is one of the last remaining members of Spain’s Golden Generation, winning European titles at U-16, U-19 and U-21 levels before making his senior debut last year. Since making his senior debut, Rodri has been impressive for Spain – scoring the winning goal against Germany in their quarter-final win! Rodri will be joined in central midfield by Nacho and Aymeric Laporte who must contain France’s young superstar Kylian Mbappe who is one of the most exciting players worldwide.
Fabian Ruiz
With Pedri sidelined due to injury and Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand banned for amassing too many yellow cards, 38-year-old Jesus Navas will start at right back for Spain at Euro 2016. As one of Spain’s surviving players from their Golden Generation that won two Euros and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012, Sevilla defender Jesus Navas will provide needed backup at right back for them.
Navas has started all games at this tournament so far and registered three shots and two chances created in their quarter-final victory against Georgia. He will be joined at the back by Nacho, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella while in midfield France could use either Randal Kolo Muani or Eduardo Camavinga; Didier Deschamps may opt for Adrien Rabiot who missed their Portugal match through suspension; whilst up front Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe should provide that extra spark they need.
Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal, of Espanyol forward is one of Spain’s rising stars, possessing both physical strength and an eye for goal. He played a significant role in their Euro 2024 victory and will surely play an essential part in future matches.
Deschamps’ team will be without some key players, but have a solid squad available. William Saliba should partner Dayot Upamecano at centre-back while Antoine Griezmann could start in midfield.
Lamine Yamal of La Masia made history last season with his record-setting feats as the youngest player at La Masia. At 22-years-old he has already established several young player records and been touted to become an international star. His parents first met when he was three, when they immigrated from Equatorial Guinea. Now they co-parent him successfully and enjoy an excellent relationship that helps to make him so fearless on the pitch.
Alvaro Morata
After defeating Germany in their quarter-final win, Luis de la Fuente’s men will look to cap off an undefeated tournament by beating France. While France may possess more talent and cohesion, Spain have proven their worth this summer by maintaining club-like fluidity.
Although Morata was reported as receiving his second yellow card for celebrating Mikel Merino’s goal against Germany, UEFA confirmed that he did not get charged and is available to play against Les Bleus.
Dani Olmo will replace Pedri, who hobbled off with an injury against Germany, as his replacement. Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Lamine Yamal may join him in midfield while Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams could bring chaos out wide. Additionally, RB Marc Cucurella should retain his spot.
Nico Williams
Williams typically plays on the left for Athletic Club, yet is equally adept on both wings. This versatility enables Ferran Torres to start on his preferred left flank while Williams fills in as an inside forward.
Williams will face the difficult task of stopping Luke Shaw or Kieran Trippier while also providing forward momentum for Lamal to push England backward. During Athletic’s 2-1 loss against Barcelona he attempted three shots (none were on target) and five crosses (none accurate).
Luis de la Fuente faces some difficult choices when selecting his centre backs, with Nacho Fernandez and Marc Cucurella having impressed. Rodri and Fabian Ruiz will serve as Spain’s foundational midfield duo; their performances have been stellar and are one of the reasons they made it to the final.