"I'm in a bit of a pickle here" - Chris Sutton predicts winner of Spain vs France Euro 2024 semi-final
BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton has predicted Spain to defeat France 2-1 in their upcoming Euro 2024 semi-final clash at the Allianz Arena later tonight (Tuesday, July 9). He also hailed La Roja for being the "team of the tournament" so far but admitted France could get the job done despite their attacking woes.
Spain have been a treat to watch at Euro 2024, winning all five of their games so far. They finished at the top of Group B with nine points, before defeating Georgia 4-1 and Germany 2-1 in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals, respectively. However, they will be slightly weakened against France, with Pedri suffering a knee injury, and Robert Le Normand and Dani Carvajal set to be suspended.
On the other hand, France have struggled to click as an attacking unit at Euro 2024 and are yet to score a goal from open play. Despite this, they finished second in Group D with five points from three games, before beating Belgium 1-0 in the Round of 16. Les Bleus edged past a spirited Portugal side on penalties in the quarter-finals to make the final four.
Sutton wrote a detailed prediction (via BBC Sport):
"I'm in a bit of a pickle here, because before a ball was kicked I went for France to win Euro 2024. Plus, I am at Allianz Arena for Radio 5 Live, so I cannot close my curtains and pretend Didier Deschamps' side are not playing.
"When I think of the France football team, I think of flair and flamboyance, starting with Michel Platini's side that won the 1984 European Championship. Their sides that have won major honours in the years since then have been the same. This version of Les Bleus, though, has been utter dross to watch.
"Defensively, they have been excellent. As a centre-half pairing, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano have been absolutely outstanding and Mike Maignan has been superb in goal too. Attack-wise though, I was just shocked by their level of performance against Portugal. Ousmane Dembele came on and made a difference, but Kylian Mbappe has not got going at all."
He added:
"In contrast, Spain have been the team of the tournament. Their quarter-final win over Germany took a little while to get going, but it was brilliant once it did. Spain are doing it a very different way to France, and England too, and they have been very impressive in everything they have done - other than maybe not being ruthless enough at times.
"Their manager Luis de la Fuente will have to make changes for this game, because Robin le Normand and Dani Carvajal are both suspended, while Pedri will miss the rest of the tournament with a knee injury."
He continued:
"If I was being logical about this, I would still say Spain will win - Lamine Yamal is so exciting, Nico Williams has arguably been the player of the tournament, and Rodri and Fabian Ruiz run things in the middle of the pitch - but I just have a feeling that France will get through.
"Of course Mbappe could play like the superstar he is, or Dembele could cause Marc Cucurella problems if he starts... but it is more likely that France will just smother Spain and, even if they do not play well, get the job done."
Sutton's Prediction: Spain 2-1 France
Spain could create Euros history if they defeat France in Euro 2024 semi-final
The victor of Spain and France will be the first team to make the Euro 2024 final after they face each other in the semi-finals tonight. They will face the winner of the England and the Netherlands semi-final clash in the summit showdown on Sunday, July 14.
Spain have the opportunity to create a new record should they defeat France at Euro 2024 as this would be their sixth win in a row. No team in Euros history has ever won six matches in a single tournament, let alone six Euro games in a row.
This is set to be the sixth encounter between Spain and France at a major tournament with the latter winning three, La Roja winning once, and the other game being a draw.
Spain are the statistical favorites to get the win in the Euro 2024 SF as since the start of 2023, they have established themselves as the most in-form side in Europe. They have won 15 out of their 19 games under Luis de la Fuente, boasting the highest win percentage (79 per cent).