VIDEO. Euro 2024: overthrown in four minutes by the Spanish enthusiasm, the France team is eliminated in the semi-final by Spain

Olmo a porté l’estocade. MAXPPP

The French football team was eliminated in the semi-final of Euro 2024 after its defeat against Spain (1-2), Tuesday July 9 in Munich. Randal Kolo Muani (9th) opened the scoring for the Blues, before two goals in four minutes from Lamine Yamal (21st) and Dani Olmo (25th).

Despite their iron defense, the vice-world champions needed a lot more to overcome La Roja, the most spectacular and attractive team in the tournament. Deprived on the offensive level due to the persistent poor form of Kylian Mbappé, the Bleus n&# 39;did not have sufficient weapons to prevent the Spaniards from reaching the final, 12 years after their last continental coronation.

Didier Deschamps' men therefore leave Euro with a very mixed record. Certainly, the objective assigned by the president of the French Football Federation Philippe Diallo has been achieved. But the manner left something to be desired, leaving a very bitter taste.

With a diminished and unrecognizable Mbappé and a transparent Antoine Griezmann who did not start in the semi-final, France could not hope for much, except to rely on its rearguard.

The defense folded in four minutes 

But it ended up bending under the Spanish onslaught, even if the Blues undoubtedly performed their best performance in Germany. After the opening score signed with a header by Randal Kolo Muani following a cross from Mbappé (9th), Luis de la Fuente's troops equalized thanks to their prodigy Lamine Yamal on a magnificent curled shot from the left which deceived Mike Maignan with the help of the post (21st).

At 16 years and 362 days, the FC Barcelona player became the youngest scorer in the history of the Euro, shattering the old record held since 2004 by Swiss Johan Vonlanthen (18 years and 141 days). It then only took four minutes for the Spaniards to take off on a shot from Dani Olmo diverted into his cage by Jules Koundé (25th).

La Roja will thus be able to try to win a fourth European title after 1964, 2008 and 2012, on Sunday in Berlin against the winner of England – Netherlands which will be played on Wednesday in Dortmund. After dismissing Germany (2-1 a.p.), the host country, in the quarter-final, then France in the semi-final, it will approach this meeting in the position of a scarecrow.

Deschamps too conservative, once again

The French team is falling from a very high point and the dream of a fourth final in five major tournaments has faded in the face of the Spanish strike force. Considered the big favorite of the competition and inspiring fear in all her opponents, she singularly lacked ambition to continue her path to the final.

As usual, Deschamps favored an option that was too secure by aligning a trio of defensive midfielders just behind his three attackers (Dembélé-Kolo Muani-Mbappé), leaving Griezmann on the bench at the start. 39;s sending as against Poland in the 1st round (1-1). If the start of the meeting sparked promises, the French then paid for their deficit in creation and the last gesture.

Mbappé head down 

Mbappé once again struggled to make a difference. The captain had, however, removed his famous mask to free himself from this accessory which had bothered him enormously since his broken nose in the first match against Austria (1-0).

If we felt the future Real Madrid striker motivated by the idea of ​​rubbing shoulders with his future adopted country, he still lost a lot in percussion and in explosiveness, qualities that have made him a global superstar. His huge wasted opportunity in the 86th minute was the perfect illustration of this.

The contrast was striking with Yamal, sparkling and a constant danger for around fifty minutes before going out. With only one goal scored from the penalty spot, Mbappé's record is poor and he leaves the Euro with his head down. Just like the French team.