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| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | |||||||||
|
1
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 7 | |
|
2
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
|
3
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 | |
|
4
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 1 | |
| Group B | |||||||||
|
1
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 9 | |
|
2
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
|
3
|
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 2 | |
|
4
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 | |
| Group C | |||||||||
|
1
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
|
2
|
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
|
2
|
|
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
|
4
|
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 2 | |
| Group D | |||||||||
|
1
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 | |
|
2
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
|
3
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
|
4
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 1 | |
| Group E | |||||||||
|
1
|
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
|
2
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
|
3
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
|
4
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 | |
| Group F | |||||||||
|
1
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 | |
|
2
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | |
|
3
|
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
|
4
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 | |
But enough of the rambling. This is me, Sayantan Guha, signing off for the night. We've two more fixtures remaining, including the high-octane fixture between England and Netherlands tomorrow.
Adios!
Amidst the backdrop of a string of heartbreaks across competitions over the past decade, many ruled out La Roja ahead of the tournament. But here they stand. Soaked in pride; drenched in glory; oozing panache. Heading to Berlin, bettering teams well beyond their on-paper caliber.
Even after falling behind after ten minutes, Spain stuck their head out, quite like they did when the momentum completely shifted after Germany's late equalizer in the quarters. 16-year-old Lamal Yamal scripted history. A strike, out of a footballing fairytale, triggered France's downfall on the night. Dani Olmo sprinkled a bit of magic dust, and Kounde did the rest to put the Spanish armada ahead.
France were wasteful. Kylian Mbappe, in particular. On another night, he could've stabbed home an equalizer late on night. But he went for a headline-grabbing finish. And it well might, just not the kind that would please him tomorrow.
Now, Spain have a date with a history. A glorious opportunity to return to the top step in the European competition. Their adversary in the grand finale will be either England or the Netherlands, setting the stage for what promises to be a momentous clash.
Lamine Yamal, on the night he became the youngest goalscorer in men's European competition, and Nico Williams are taken off. Zubimendi and Ferran Torres come on.
Barcola, with his brilliant footwork, tears open the Spanish backline and helps the ball to Mbappe. The talismanic forward breezes past his man but then opts for a headline-grabbing, brute finish, rather than sprinkling a bit of panache.
Olivier Giroud walks into the middle and Ousmane Dembele makes way.
Alvaro Morata and goalkeeper Dani Olmo make way for Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal.
N'golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, and Randal Kolo Muani all have made their final contribution of the night and will be replaced by the trio of Antoine Griezmann, Bradley Barcola, and Eduardo Camavinga.
Morata hooves the ball up the pitch for Williams, who finds himself with a clear path to goal. But out of nowhere, Maignan rushes out of his area and slides in to make a crucial tackle. It was a risky move that could've ended in a disaster as Williams nearly evaded him.
Early scare for France.
Spain get the ball rolling and there are no changes in personnel.
And then to follow it up with a go-ahead goal four minutes later? Oh, that's ridiculous. But that's Spain. That's Dani Olmo, the unlikely top scorer of the competition.
For France, since going ahead, the first half has been less about dealing with Spain, and more about dealing with what's left behind when you silence the 'S'.
SPAIN NOW LEAD. Dani Olmo's deft touch gives him space inside the right side of the penalty area, allowing him to unleash a right-footed drive that deflects off the unfortunate Koundé and into the net. France visibly haven't recovered from the Yamal worldie and now they trail.
He's 16. Still 16. Teen. At this point, it's a worthless attempt at hammering home his nothing age. But there's ample class, ample skill, and ample heart. And in Munich, at the Allianz Arena, it oozes out.
To rub salt in the Spanish wounds, they had an identical opportunity moments earlier when Fabian Ruiz squandered his header, and now he'll surely contemplate what might have been.
We're still seconds away from the conclusion of the first 10 minutes. Spain were still cozying up to the abundance of possession, but France took off the gloves, and Randal Kolo Muani dished out a major early blow. France lead.
France start the action as the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2024 begin.
With the pre-match ramble now out of our way, let's shift the focus to hair-rousing anthems, and then an absolute classic in store.
Didier Deschamps has always had quality at his disposal. Euro 2024 is no different. France on paper will send shivers down any opponent's spine. There's the often logic-defying brilliance of Kylian Mbappe, then a Griezmann who oozes class every time he takes the pitch for Les Bleus and a backline impregnated with composure in every position. Yet, they haven't found the back of the net from open play for once this tournament.
In their opener against Austria, Maximilian Wober's own goal went down as the decider. Then the Netherlands held them to a goalless draw, while Mbappe's penalty helped them to another point against Poland. Belgium were a tough nut to crack in RO16, but Jan Vertonghen's same-side goal helped France's case. Ultimately, in the quarters, they were held to another goalless stalemate by Portugal after 120 minutes and only emerged victorious on the lottery of penalties.
With La Roja grappling to re-establish their identity, Luis de la Fuente walked in with his unassuming demeanor and stitched together an unlikely bunch to show the world some of the finest football we've seen from the Spanish side in a decade. There's hunger and intent every time they march forward in tandem. Spain started their campaign with a statement 4-1 drubbing of the Croatians, before playing out two 1-0 victories against Italy and Albania. In the RO16 against underdogs Georgia initially, they suffered a scare, but then after a pep talk at half-time, Spain cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory.
Against Germany, Dani Olmo drew first blood for the Spanish armada, but Florian Wirtz signed off an equalizer in the death to push the match into the laboring extra time. Tackles flew in, and cards were aplenty, but a stroke of magic was lacking, until Olmo's boots glazed the leather orb with utmost perfection in the 119th minute, and Mikel Merino planted it into the top corner to send them through to the semi-finals.
One penultimate step. Four teams remaining, two with the most street cred will walk into a cage fight tonight for 90 minutes, and a little more if neither can deliver the knockout blow.
Spain have been rampant. Against Germany, however, their backs were pitted to the wall, and that's when they unleashed their champion's mettle. France are toothless but have figured out to prey merely with their aura. But tonight their on-paper caliber wouldn't suffice. Didier Deschamps will yearn to find a gear yet to meet the naked eye.
Impregnated with narratives, the stage is set. Heroes will be made tonight, or be stripped of their medals. And taking you through all the action will be me, Sayantan Guha, your commentator for the evening. So hold on tight!