The UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals are set to kick off on 9th July 2024, featuring four of Europe's top football nations. Here's a breakdown of the upcoming matches and what to expect from each team.
Semi-Final Matches
Spain vs France
- Date: Tuesday, 9th July 2024
- Kick-off time: 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST)
- Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Netherlands vs England
- Date: Wednesday, 10th July 2024
- Kick-off time: 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST)
- Location: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
Spain vs France
Spain's Journey to the Semi-Finals
Spain has had an impressive run in the tournament, winning all their matches so far. They topped their group with victories against Croatia (3-0), Italy (1-0), and Albania (1-0). In the knockout stages, they defeated Georgia 4-1 in the round of 16 and overcame the hosts Germany 2-1 in a thrilling quarter-final that went to extra time.
France's Path to the Semi-Finals
France's journey has been less straightforward. They finished second in their group after losing to Austria. In the knockout stages, they narrowly beat Belgium in the round of 16 and needed penalties to overcome Portugal in the quarter-finals after a goalless draw.
Team Analysis
Spain
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- Formation: Spain has been flexible with their formations, but they've often used a 4-3-3 system.
- Notable players: Rodri and Fabián Ruiz have excelled in midfield, while young talents Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have provided pace and skill on the flanks.
- Playing style: Spain has shown a more diverse approach under Luis de la Fuente, combining quick passing with pace out wide.
France
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- Formation: France typically employs a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation.
- Notable players: Kylian Mbappé remains their star player, though he's been below his best form. Antoine Griezmann and N'Golo Kanté are also key figures.
- Playing style: France has been defensively solid but has struggled to score, with all their goals coming from penalties or own goals.
Match Prediction
This match could be a tactical battle between Spain's fluid attacking play and France's solid defence. Spain's form and momentum give them a slight edge, but France's tournament experience
could be crucial. The match might be decided by fine margins, possibly going to extra time or penalties.
Predicted winner: Spain
Netherlands vs England
Netherlands' Tournament Progress
The Netherlands finished third in their group after a shock defeat to Austria. They bounced back with a convincing 3-0 win against Romania in the round of 16 and came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
England's Road to the Semi-Finals
England had a somewhat shaky group stage, with two draws and a narrow win. They needed a late goal to beat Slovakia in the round of 16 and overcame Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw.
Team Analysis
Netherlands
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- Formation: The Netherlands have been using a 4-2-3-1 system.
- Notable players: Cody Gakpo has been a threat on the left flank, while Memphis Depay leads the line. Stefan de Vrij has been solid in defence.
- Playing style: The Dutch have shown resilience and the ability to come from behind, but have lacked midfield control at times.
England
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- Formation: England has alternated between a back four and a back three.
- Notable players: Bukayo Saka has been a standout performer, while Harry Kane, despite being below his best, remains a threat.
- Playing style: England has been defensively solid but has struggled to create clear-cut chances in attack.
Match Prediction
This match could be a tense affair, with both teams having shown vulnerabilities alongside their strengths. England's tournament experience and slightly superior squad depth might give them an edge, but the Netherlands' resilience cannot be underestimated.
Predicted winner: England
Predicted Final
Based on the semi-final predictions, the final would be:
Spain vs England
- Date: Sunday, 14th July 2024
- Kick-off time: 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST)
- Location: Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany
This potential final would pit Spain's fluid attacking football against England's solid defensive structure, promising an intriguing tactical battle for the Euro 2024 title.
Resources
- Euro Cup 2024 semifinals schedule - https://www.business-standard.com/sports/football-news/euro-cup-2024-semifinals-full-schedule-live-match-time-ist-streaming-124070700128_1.html
- Spain vs France preview - https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/028f-1b4bda1a657d-dcfff8105415-1000--england-vs-switzerland-euro-2024-quarter-final-preview-w/
- France Euro 2024 squad - https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/france-euro-2024-squad-players-line-up-team-germany
- Spain Euro 2024 squad - https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/spain-euro-2024-squad-team-line-up-players-germany
- Netherlands vs England preview - https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/netherlands-vs-england-prediction-kick-off-time-tv-live-stream-team-news-latest-h2h-results-odds-euro-2024-preview-b1169201.html
Other Information
- UEFA - https://www.uefa.com/
- Royal Netherlands Football Association - https://www.knvb.nl/
- The Football Association - https://www.thefa.com/
- French Football Federation - https://www.fff.fr/
- Royal Spanish Football Federation - https://www.rfef.es/