Spain’s 2-1 victory over France in the Euro 2024 semifinals has drawn widespread acclaim from the French press, with national media outlets characterizing the Spanish squad as the tactical and spiritual successors to the iconic midfield pairing of Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta. Following the match at the Allianz Arena in Munich, analysts across Europe highlighted Spain’s technical dominance and composure, contrasting it with a French side that struggled to find creative solutions.
A Tactical Masterclass in Munich
The semifinal encounter, held on July 9, 2024, saw Spain overcome an early deficit after Randal Kolo Muani opened the scoring for France in the 9th minute. Spain’s response was immediate and methodical. Lamine Yamal equalized in the 21st minute with a long-range strike, followed by Dani Olmo’s decisive goal in the 25th minute. According to UEFA match reports, Spain maintained control of the tempo throughout the remainder of the game, limiting France to few high-quality chances.
French sports daily L’Équipe described the performance of Spain’s midfield as a “masterclass in control,” noting that the team’s ability to retain possession mirrored the golden era of Spanish football that secured titles in 2008, 2010, and 2012. The comparison to the Xavi-Iniesta era stems from the fluid movement and passing precision displayed by Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, and Olmo, who consistently bypassed the French defensive block.
France’s Creative Stagnation
While Spain was lauded for its tactical maturity, the narrative in France focused on the team’s lack of offensive rhythm. Throughout the tournament, Didier Deschamps’ side had been criticized for a pragmatic, defensive-first approach. Against Spain, that strategy failed to adapt once the team fell behind.
According to match statistics provided by UEFA, France recorded 9 total shots but only 3 on target. The French press, including coverage from Le Monde, pointed to a “lack of ideas” in the final third, noting that despite the individual talent of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, the team failed to break down a disciplined Spanish defense. The inability to generate consistent pressure left the French side unable to force an equalizer in the second half.
The Evolution of the Spanish Squad
The current Spanish side, managed by Luis de la Fuente, has been praised for blending traditional possession-based football with a more vertical, direct attacking style. The emergence of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal has been central to this evolution. By scoring against France, Yamal became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the UEFA European Championship, a record previously held by Johan Vonlanthen.
This victory solidified Spain’s path to the final, where they ultimately defeated England to secure their fourth European title. The team’s journey through the tournament was marked by a perfect record, winning all seven of their matches. Analysts have noted that the squad’s depth, particularly the impact of substitutes like Mikel Merino and Dani Olmo, provided a level of tactical flexibility that was absent in previous iterations of the national team.
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of Euro 2024
The consensus in European football circles, as reported by major outlets, is that Spain’s performance in Germany represents a generational transition. The comparison to the Xavi and Iniesta era is not merely nostalgic but a recognition of the team’s technical ceiling. For the French team, the tournament highlighted a need for tactical recalibration as they look toward future international cycles, including the UEFA Nations League and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Spain’s next competitive checkpoint will be the start of the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign, where they will look to defend their continental status. Fans can follow official team updates and squad announcements through the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) official portal.
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