Spain turned around the first European Championship semi-final against France from 0:1 to 2:1 thanks to two spectacular goals by Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo and are the first finalists.
It was not the tense encounter expected by all sides between the offensively strong Spaniards and the defensive powerhouse France. Instead, an open game developed right from the start, in which both teams sought their salvation on the offensive. Spain showed an impressive reaction and turned around an early deficit within four minutes.
Yamal and Olmo counter the French lead
First, Lamine Yamal scored a magnificent equalizer in the 21st minute with a shot from more than 20 metres out. At the age of 16 years and 362 days, the FC Barcelona winger became the youngest goalscorer at a European Championship final. He replaced Switzerland's Johan Vonlanthen, who scored the only Swiss goal at the 2004 European Championship in Portugal in a 3-1 defeat against France - at the age of 18 years and 141 days. In the end, it was the outstanding Dani Olmo who made it 2-1 with a solo effort. The Leipzig midfielder fooled Aurélien Tchouaméni and finished from close range. Jules Koundé at the second post was unable to prevent the strike.
France had already taken the lead in the 9th minute through Randal Kolo Muani. The Parisian, who replaced the out-of-form Antoine Griezmann in the starting eleven, sneaked in behind Aymeric Laporte and headed home a cross from Kylian Mbappé. The French superstar appeared without a face mask for the first time since breaking his nose and showed great vision in this scene.
The French showed a clear improvement on their previous appearances at this final tournament. After an even first half, Didier Deschamps' team had a clear advantage in chances in the second half, but were unable to equalize despite a handful of good opportunities. The best chances in the final quarter of an hour were missed by Theo Hernandez and Mbappé, who shot over the goal from promising positions.
Spain's chance to set a new record
The defeat was a rarity for France. The last time the Equipe tricolore lost a knockout match after 90 minutes was at the 2014 World Cup, when Germany won 1-0 in the quarter-finals and went on to secure the title.
With their sixth win in their sixth European Championship match, the Spaniards continued their flawless tournament record and cemented their status as top favorites. Not only did they stroll through the tough group with World Cup bronze medallists Croatia and reigning European champions Italy, but they also eliminated one of the most frequently named favorites, hosts Germany, in the quarter-finals. Now coach Luis de la Fuente's team passed the next endurance test and showed that they can also break down a compact defense.
The Spaniards are in their fifth European Championship final. They have won the title three times so far (1964, 2008, 2012). Their only defeat in the final came in 1984 - against the then hosts France. With a victory on Sunday in Berlin, Spain would put Germany at a distance and become the sole record European champions. A good omen for the Iberians: on the way to their last title to date, they eliminated France in the quarter-finals.
The live ticker to follow
Spain
France
- Lamine Yamal - 1:1 (21.)
- Dani Olmo - 2:1 (25.)
- (9.) 0:1 - Randal Kolo Muani
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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21.
16-year-old Lamine Yamal breaks European Championship record with dream goal
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#Preview
The France line-up
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#Preview
How Spain start in the semi-finals
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90.+6.End of 2nd half
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90.+4.Substitution in Spain
Martín Zubimendi
Midfielder
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90.+4.Substitution out Spain
Nico Williams
Striker
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90.+3.Substitution in Spain
Ferran Torres
Striker
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90.+3.Substitution out Spain
Lamine Yamal
Striker
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90.+2.Yellow card Spain
Lamine Yamal
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89.Yellow card France
Eduardo Camavinga
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79.Substitution in France
Olivier Giroud
Striker
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79.Substitution out France
Ousmane Dembélé
Striker
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76.Substitution in Spain
Mikel Oyarzabal
Striker
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76.Substitution out Spain
Álvaro Morata
Striker
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76.Substitution in Spain
Mikel Merino
Midfielder
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76.Substitution out Spain
Dani Olmo
Midfielder
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62.Substitution in France
Bradley Barcola
Striker
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62.Substitution out France
Randal Kolo Muani
Striker
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62.Substitution in France
Antoine Griezmann
Midfielder
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62.Substitution out France
N'Golo Kanté
Midfielder
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62.Substitution in France
Eduardo Camavinga
Midfielder
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62.Substitution out France
Adrien Rabiot
Midfielder
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60.Yellow card France
Aurélien Tchouaméni
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58.Substitution in Spain
Dani Vivian
Defender
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58.Substitution out Spain
Jesús Navas
Defender
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+3.End of 1st half
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25.Goal for Spain, 2:1 through Dani Olmo
Dani Olmo
Midfielder
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21.Goal for Spain, 1:1 through Lamine Yamal (Álvaro Morata)
Lamine Yamal
Striker
Assist: Álvaro Morata
Striker
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14.Yellow card Spain
Jesús Navas
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9.Goal for France, 0:1 through Randal Kolo Muani (Kylian Mbappé)
Randal Kolo Muani
Striker
Assist: Kylian Mbappé
Striker
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1.Start of the match
