Spain were the best performing team at the tournament, winning all five games to reach the semi-finals.
They eliminated hosts Germany in extra-time in the quarter-finals, but Pedri withdrew injured during the game, and last season's Champions League final player of the season, Dani Carvajal, and defender Robán Lenormand were both on the cards, and the three of them will miss the semi-final against France, which is a big blow for Spain.
Given the depth of Spain's squad, De La Fuente is unlikely to make changes to their tactical formation.
The 26-year-old came off the bench against Germany, scoring a goal and setting up Merino's winner and is expected to start against France in place of the injured Pedri.
Carvajal will be replaced by Gabriel Navas, with Nacho starting in place of Lenormand.
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams continued to orchestrate attacks on the flanks, using their speed advantage and penetrating ability to create a threat.
France scored just three goals in the tournament, including two own goals and a penalty kick from their opponents, but they still progressed to the semi-finals.
France's team defended well and was lacklustre offensively. From the start of the group stage, the backline of Willian Saliba and Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, Jules Kounde blocked almost all the attacks.
Up front, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann are in a slump and are unable to provide effective help to the Gallic Roosters.
In the semi-finals against Spain, France is expected to play a defensive counterattack, looking for opportunities to counterattack quickly through solid defense to defeat the Matadors and advance to the final.
Contest Information
- This is the sixth meeting between Spain and France in a major tournament. France won three of the first four matches (Euro 1984 final 2-0, Euro 2000 quarter-finals 2-1, 2006 World Cup round of 16 3-1) and Spain won Euro 2012 quarter-finals (2-0). The other game was a 1-1 draw in the group stage of Euro 1996.
- Spain are the only team to have five wins in this tournament. No team in the history of the Championship has won six games in a single tournament, and no team has won six games in a row in a European Championship competition.
- France are hoping to reach the final of the European Championship for the fourth time (1984, 2000 and 2016). Spain, on the other hand, will be hoping to reach the final for the fifth time. Spain have reached the final four times in five semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Italy on penalties at Euro 2020.
- Spain has won 15 of its 19 matches since 2023 (79%), the highest winning percentage of any European national team. They have won their last seven matches in a row, with the last one coming between June 2009 and June 2010 (12 games).
- In two of the five matches played at Euro 2024, Spain had less possession than their opponents (48% against Germany and 47% against Croatia).
- France goalkeeper Mike McGonnan has a 94 per cent save success rate at Euro 2024, the highest of any goalkeeper who has played in more than one game.
- Lamine Yamal has created 14 chances for his team-mates at Euro 2024, the most for a Spaniard in a major tournament since Euro 2012 when Xavi (25).
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