Spain 2-1 France: Player ratings for Les Bleus as their European dream is over despite Kolo Muani's early goal | UEFA Euro 2024
Spain reached the UEFA Euro 2024 final after ousting France 2-1 in the first semi-final in Munich on Tuesday (July 9). Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo scored for La Roja after Randal Kolo Muani had given Les Bleus an early lead.
In a repeat of the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, Didier Deschamps' men went in front after eight minutes as Kolo Muani headed in from close range after latching on to a brilliant cross from Kylian Mbappe.
France seemed to have the momentum and looked to be in control of the game, but only 13 minutes later, Yamal restored parity with a fabulous strike from range. In the 25th minute, Olmo turned the game around with a powerful strike that was knocked home by Jules Kounde as Spain went in front.
Les Bleus needed a big performance in the second half but struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Mbappe and Theo Hernandez firing over with the goal in sight.
Spain held on to reach the final, their first since winning the competition in 2012. They now await England or the Netherlands in the Berlin showpiece on Sunday (July 14).
On that note, here are the player ratings for France:
Mike Maignon - 6/10
The French custodian stood no chance with Yamal's stunning effort from range. Maignan was beaten again for Spain's second, as Kounde diverted the ball into his own net from point-blank range.
Jules Kounde - 6/10
A reliable figure for France in defence, Kounde was unsettled by La Roja's frantic attacking style. He inadvertently smashed one into his own net while attempting to clear Olmo's shot.
However, he went someway to redeeming himself by showing a superb burst of pace to rob Nico Williams in the second half.
Dayot Upamecano - 7/10
It was a stoic display from the Bayern centre-back who was playing at his home ground. Upamecano was never afraid to put his body on the line and read the movements well. He made six clearances too.
William Saliba - 7/10
The Arsenal man made a vital clearance early on and didn't look back thereafter; showing excellent positioning and often played out from the back to get his side forward.
Theo Hernandez - 7/10
He defended with all the aggression and belligerence that's needed at this level. Hernandez took a knock to his shin while attempting to block Yamal from going for goal again in the first half. He also came within a chance of scoring in the 75th minute but blazed his effort into row Z.
N'Golo Kante - 6.5/10
So often a key to dictating play from the deep, Kante looked underwhelming, with his passes not yielding anything special.
Aurelien Tchouameni - 6.5/10
He showed great passing, but Tchouameni left a lot to be desired off the ball. One ill-timed challenge in the 60th minute earned him a booking.
Adrien Rabiot - 6/10
The midfielder couldn't influence the game much against his mighty and marauding Spanish counterparts. He got beaten on pace to Yamal in the build-up to La Roja's first goal.
Ousmane Dembele - 6.5/10
Dembele showed good positioning and first touches, but the quality of his crosses were just not up to the mark.
Randal Kolo Muani - 7.5/10
The 25-year-old put France in front by heading home an inviting cross from Mbappe to put Spain on the back foot. That was his first goal of the European championship and a fifth for Les Bleus.
Kylian Mbappe - 6.5/10
His nimble footwork was there for all to see as Mbappe used his on-the-ball skills to create attacking moments and carve the Spanish defence open. However, he rarely received similar quality service, which explained his goalless outing.
Ratings of France substitutes against Spain
Eduardo Camavinga - 6/10
The Real Madrid man barely got a sniff of the ball.
Bradley Barcola - 6.5/10
At one point in the second half, he got forward well and nearly set up a chance for Mbappe inside the box with a brilliant cut-back, but it was cleared by Spain. Nonetheless, it was a promising display from the youngster.
Antoine Griezmann - 6.5/10
The veteran forward was thrown into the mix after the hour mark as Deschamps looked to boost France's attacking impetus.
Olivier Giroud - 6/10
France desperately needed a goal in the closing stages and played their last throw of the dice by sending on their most prolific goalscorer in history. But alas, it wasn't meant to be for Giroud and Les Bleus as they bowed out to Spain.