Euro 2024 semifinals played - time for the final
Even though not every match in this Euro has been top-quality football, we've had many dramatic and exciting matches, and the semifinals were no exception.![Lamine Yamal showing the size of his latest catch](/static/skytteligor/images/articles/Lamine-Yamal-Spain.webp)
Lamine Yamal scored against France and is now the youngest scorer in the European Championship history
Semifinal 1: Spain vs. France - 2-1
The first semifinal was between Spain and France. Spain was favoured going into the match, having shown the best football played throughout this Euro, while France struggled with their offense but had a very strong defence that had taken them this far.However, it was France who struck first. In the ninth minute, Kylian Mbappé delivered a perfect cross that Randal Kolo Muani headed in, making it 1-0 to France early in the match. Spain, having been behind earlier in the tournament, continued to play their offensive game patiently, knowing that opportunities would come. The game felt far from over despite France's tough to break through defence.
And Spain didn't take long to respond. Lamine Yamal, one of the tournament's best players yet to score, drove the ball just outside the penalty area and curled a beautiful shot into the top left corner in the 21st minute. This equalizer made him the youngest scorer in the European Championship history at 16 years and 362 days, surpassing the previous record held by Swiss player Johan Vonlanthen at 18 years and 141 days.
But Spain wasn't done yet. Just four minutes after the equalizer, Dani Olmo received the ball in the penalty area and freed himself up for a shot, which deflected off Barcelona's Jules Koundé into the net, quickly turning the deficit into a lead. Despite Koundé's clear deflection, the goal was officially credited to Olmo.
The score remained 2-1 through halftime, putting pressure on France to attack for an equalizer in the second half. However, as in previous matches, France's offense was too weak, managing only a few half-chances, and Spain comfortably defended their lead to secure their place in the final.
Despite reaching the semifinals, France remains the tournament's biggest disappointment, clearly needing a new coach to reinvigorate their star players. Spain, on the other hand, delivered another solid performance, marking their sixth straight win on their way to the final, although their quarterfinal victory against Germany required extra time.
![Ollie Watkins - here in Aston Villa](/static/skytteligor/images/articles/xOllie-Watkins.webp.pagespeed.ic.GPj6IXHh20.webp)
Ollie Watkins became England's hero as he scored the winning goal in the semifinal against Netherlands