Spain and France will face off in the semifinal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Dallas on July 14, with the 2010 champion looking to reach the summit clash for the first time in 16 years.
But the two European giants met in another semifinal not so long ago, during the 2024 European Championships.
Spain struck twice in five minutes in a pulsating first half to secure a 2-1 comeback win over France as a record-breaking goal from teenager Lamine Yamal and a Dani Olmo effort propelled it into the Euro 2024 final.
The 16-year-old Yamal cancelled out Randal Kolo Muani’s opener with a sublime shot in the 21st minute to become the youngest scorer in a Euro or World Cup before Olmo added another in the 25th minute for his third goal in the knockout stage.
It was an anti-climactic end to France’s tournament, although the 2022 World Cup finalist never lived up to expectations, with a very low conversion rate that carried into the semifinal.
Spain had an early chance when Yamal, the youngest player to feature in a World Cup or Euro semifinal, floated a cross to the far post, but Fabian Ruiz headed over the bar.
France did better from an almost identical move in the ninth minute with Kylian Mbappe, playing without a mask after breaking his nose earlier in the tournament, crossing for Kolo Muani to head in their first goal from open play at Euro 2024.
But the Spaniards, who were missing suspended Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand as well as injured Pedri, quickly turned the game around.
Yamal curled a stunning left-footed effort from 25 metres in off the post to break another record held by Brazil great Pele, as the youngest scorer in a Euro or World Cup.
Before France had any time to recover, Olmo completed their lightning-quick comeback in the 25th minute with a shot that was deflected in by France’s Jules Kounde.
France, which had only conceded one goal in its previous five games in the tournament, upped the tempo after the break and had chances through Mbappe and Theo Hernandez.
But it could not carve out an equaliser with Spain, pulling back and successfully soaking up the pressure.
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Published on Jul 14, 2026