Luis de la Fuente’s side took the lead for much of the second half through substitute Dani Olmo’s goal, with Mikel Merino then averting a penalty shootout with a 119th-minute header after Florian Wirtz had leveled in dramatic fashion late in normal time.
It was a remarkable victory for Spain, the only team to have won every game in the tournament so far, as they cemented their newfound status as European Championship favourites, but at a heavy cost.
This will do nothing to ease France’s worries about Didier Deschamps and his negative style of play during the Euros, which has yet to produce an own goal in open play. However, they are now one game away from their third major final in four tournaments.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Spain vs France is scheduled to kick-off at 20:00 BST on Tuesday 9 July 2024.
The match will take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
AFP via Getty Images
Where to watch Spain vs France
TV channels: In the UK, the game will be televised live and free-to-air on BBC One, with coverage starting at 7pm.
Live broadcast: Fans can also catch the contest live online for free via the BBC Sport app and website and BBC iPlayer.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday through Standard sport live blog.
Spain vs France team news
Group B winners Spain named an unchanged side against Germany after coming from behind to beat Georgia 4-1 in the last 16, with Nacho Fernandez and Ayoze Perez able to return to the bench after being sidelined.
But De La Fuente won’t have the luxury of a semi-final, with Pedri a serious doubt after limping off after a few minutes in Stuttgart following a heavy challenge from Toni Kroos.
Olmo replaces the Barcelona star and will do so again after an important goal and assist against Germany, although Spain are also without two starting defenders in Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand due to suspension.
The order was not lifted until after the quarter-finals at the Euros, with Le Normand taking his second of the tournament before being replaced by Nacho at half-time against Germany.
Nacho is expected to deputize again on Tuesday, while 38-year-old Jesus Navas could be denied at right-back after Carvajal – suspended again after his first yellow card of the night – was sent off last night against Germany. Alejandro Grimaldo is another full-back option.
Captain Alvaro Morata will also be a big miss after picking up a second caution at the Euros as Spain celebrate Merino’s final win on Saturday. Joselu could be a candidate to start up front instead, or Spain could opt to drop Olmo in attack alongside Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal and bring quarter-final hero Merino into midfield.
France gave Randal Kolo Muani and Eduardo Camavinga a starting berth against Portugal, but no one can claim to have really taken advantage of the opportunity, absent Adrien Rabiot.
Deschamps’ favorite Rabiot returns from suspension on Tuesday, so he should start and, unlike Spain, he should be strong.
Kylian Mbappe was substituted in extra time after suffering a blow to his broken nose, but he will miss the semi-finals.
Spain vs France Prediction
Spain had looked the best team at the Euros but were ragged and tired during the quarter-finals. De la Fuente’s squad is not the deepest and the suspension could take its toll in this game.
France, on the other hand, generally defends well with their attack really lacking and Deschamps has no idea how to make it come alive.
If Les Bleus can sit deep, frustrate Spain and attack on the counter, their game plan could just pay off to upset a popular young Spanish team that lacks the experience of an opponent in the game.
France won the penalty shootout.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
France won their last meeting in the 2021 Nations League final and beat Spain in the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2000. They also beat La Roja in the Euro 1984 final, while Spain’s only major tournament victory came against France in Euro 2012.
Spain vs France match
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).