“They’ve tried everyone” - Alan Shearer predicts winner of Euro 2024 semifinal between Spain and France
England legend Alan Shearer has backed France to beat Spain in the first semifinal of Euro 2024. Didier Deschamps' side will take on in-form La Furia Roja on Tuesday, July 9, at the Munich Football Arena in Munich, Germany.
France headed into Euro 2024 as one of the outright favorites but have not been at their best in the tournament. Les Bleus have progressed to the semis without scoring a single goal from open play.
Spain, on the other hand, have been the best team in the Euros by some distance and boast a 100 percent win record. They have scored the most number of goals (11) and are also top in terms of total attempts (102).
Despite Spain's rich vein of form, Alan Shearer has predicted a win for France because of their rock-solid defense. Shearer highlighted how blessed France are deadly in terms of options up front but have failed to click.
Shearer said on the Rest is Football podcast on YouTube:
“I’m with France. It’s incredible [to get this far] with two own goals and a penalty. Mbappe has been poor, hasn't he? Their defence has been solid. [In attack] they’ve got so many options but none of them have worked. They’ve tried everyone. I’m backing France to go through because of their defence and the players Spain have missing [due to suspension].”
Spain are joint-record winners of Euro 2024 along with Germany with three titles to their name. France, on the other hand, have won the continental competition on two occasions.
Paul Merson predicts winner of Euro 2024 semifinal between Spain and France
Pundit Paul Merson has backed France to secure a win against Spain when the two European giants lock horns in the Euro 2024 semifinal. In his exclusive column for Sportskeeda, he has predicted a 1-0 win for Les Bleus in the first semi-final.
Merson has claimed that Spain's two wide players Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams should be dealt well by Theo Hernandez and Jules Kounde respectively. He has also insisted that Alvaro Morata would struggle to make an impact against France defender William Saliba.
Merson also advised Didier Deschamps to try Olivier Giroud up front to make his attack work. He also labeled Kylian Mbappe as the biggest disappointment of the Euros. The two powerhouses of European football will clash against each other on Tuesday, July 9 at the Munich Football Arena in Munich, Germany.