Yamal’s brilliance, Dutch heartbreak and Watkins’ joy: Euro 2024 semi-finals roundup

The Euro 2024 semi-finals occurred on Tuesday 9 July and Wednesday 10 July, and confirmed that England and Spain will face each other in the tournament’s final on Sunday 14 July.

Spain v France

In the post-match press conference, after France’s narrow win on penalties against Portugal, Didier Deschamps admitted that for France to win the Euros they must score more goals, underlying their issue of not getting Kylian Mbappe at his usual tantalising best. It was not, however, his goalscoring prowess that unlocked the Spanish defence but his cross that Kolo Muani steered past Unai Simon in the 8th minute.

Any hopes that France would be able to build upon their early lead were quickly dispelled less than 15 minutes later. Teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, jinked past the challenges of a French defender before bending a shot, kissing the post as it flew past the despairing dive of Maignan. His equaliser meant that he became the youngest-ever goal scorer in the European championships. Yamal’s goal was perhaps made even sweeter for him as the player he beat to create the chance, Adrian Rabiot, had questioned Yamal’s ability to do it on such a stage.

Dani Olmo’s exceptional control and finish sent another dagger into French hearts soon after. Saliba’s attempted clearance of Navas’ cross was taken down deftly by Olmo before he slipped past Tchouameni and striked an attempt at goal; Kounde’s attempts to block only diverted it further into the centre of the goal. This was a perfect Spanish response to a goal that saw them fall behind for only the second time in their European campaign.

The final whistle cued Spanish jubilation and French heartbreak

France came into the second half knowing that failure to score another would cap off an altogether disappointing European championships, with only one goal scored from open play. Their possessional dominance in the second half was somewhat down to an improvement in performance, although Spain’s deeper defensive tactics as they tried to hold out their lead also played a role in this.

Dembele provided a few chances down the right, with Simon getting a strong left hand to prevent one of his crosses from sneaking into the back post, and Upancameo perhaps spurred the best chance when he broke free from a corner and failed to direct his header towards goal. Yet, for all of France’s possession, they failed to create enough chances and Spain’s defence held resolute.

In the 63rd minute, Deschamps decided to twist, bringing on Griezmann, Barcola, and Camavinga in the hopes of taking the game to extra time. Barcola added a new dimension to France, and it was his ball through that saw Mbappe face Laporte 1 on 1 for one of the first times in the game. Mbappe cut in on his right foot and looked to do his trademark finish whipping it into the far corner, but his skied effort went way past the top of the crossbar. That was to be France’s last major chance and the final whistle 10 minutes later cued Spanish jubilation and French heartbreak.

Spain’s semi-final victory secured their spot in the Euros 2024 final on Sunday.

England v Netherlands

Within the first 10 minutes of the game, Declan Rice lost the ball in his own third providing the opportunity for Xavi Simons to pick up the ball and rifle a shot past Pickford, giving the Netherlands a perfect start to the second semi-final. From that point, England grew into the game and the Dutch lead did not last long as a controversial VAR call gave Harry Kane the chance to respond from the spot.

Jude Bellingham picking the ball up on the half turn played it out wide to Saka, whose blocked shot found its way to Kane; Dumfries studs caught Harry Kane as he blazed a volley over the bar and England cried ‘penalty’. The Dutch players looked incredulous as referee, Felix Zwayer, went over to the monitor and after an agonising few minutes blew for the spot. Harry Kane made no mistake from twelve yards hitting it firmly into the bottom corner past Verbruggen.

Foden was one of England’s many bright sparks and he was unlucky not to find himself on the score sheet as his attempt was steered off the line by Dumfries. He was unlucky again when his shot from outside the box minutes later, which had echoes of Yamal’s wonder strike yesterday, clipped the outside of the post.

The forced substitution of Veerman for Depay just before the break allowed Koeman a much-needed tactical tweak. The sub meant that the Netherlands came into the second half with a much greater presence in midfield and managed to stifle England’s balls into Foden, Saka, and Bellingham.

England have left it late so often this tournament and it was another moment of individual brilliance that sent them through to their first ever final on foreign soil

Chances were few and far between for both teams, Gakpo looked the most dangerous and if it was not for an exceptional last-ditch challenge from Walker, he would have found himself one-on-one with Pickford.

Saka thought he had found the answer to unlocking the Dutch defence when he turned home a Walker cross in the 80th minute, but it was ruled out for a marginal offside call on the City full-back. Southgate had seen enough and brought on Chelsea star, Cole Palmer, and Aston Villa talisman, Ollie Watkins, both off the back of great Premier League seasons with a combined GA of 65, in the hopes of a late winner. As the clock ticked over into the 90 minutes the tension was palpable, a goal would have meant a deathly blow to the opponent.

Sure enough, England found it: Cole Palmer picked up the ball in a pocket of space and threaded it through to Ollie Watkins, who still had work to do with de Vrij on his back. A superb turn and finish sent England into ecstasy. England have left it late so often this tournament and it was another moment of individual brilliance that sent them through to their first-ever final on foreign soil.