Euro 2024 semifinals played - time for the final

Even though not every match in this Euro has been top-quality football, we've had many dramatic and exciting matches, and the semifinals were no exception.

Lamine Yamal showing the size of his latest catch

Lamine Yamal scored against France and is now the youngest scorer in the European Championship history

Semifinal 1: Spain vs. France - 2-1

The first semifinal was between Spain and France. Spain was favoured going into the match, having shown the best football played throughout this Euro, while France struggled with their offense but had a very strong defence that had taken them this far.

However, it was France who struck first. In the ninth minute, Kylian Mbappé delivered a perfect cross that Randal Kolo Muani headed in, making it 1-0 to France early in the match. Spain, having been behind earlier in the tournament, continued to play their offensive game patiently, knowing that opportunities would come. The game felt far from over despite France's tough to break through defence.

And Spain didn't take long to respond. Lamine Yamal, one of the tournament's best players yet to score, drove the ball just outside the penalty area and curled a beautiful shot into the top left corner in the 21st minute. This equalizer made him the youngest scorer in the European Championship history at 16 years and 362 days, surpassing the previous record held by Swiss player Johan Vonlanthen at 18 years and 141 days.

But Spain wasn't done yet. Just four minutes after the equalizer, Dani Olmo received the ball in the penalty area and freed himself up for a shot, which deflected off Barcelona's Jules Koundé into the net, quickly turning the deficit into a lead. Despite Koundé's clear deflection, the goal was officially credited to Olmo.

The score remained 2-1 through halftime, putting pressure on France to attack for an equalizer in the second half. However, as in previous matches, France's offense was too weak, managing only a few half-chances, and Spain comfortably defended their lead to secure their place in the final.

Despite reaching the semifinals, France remains the tournament's biggest disappointment, clearly needing a new coach to reinvigorate their star players. Spain, on the other hand, delivered another solid performance, marking their sixth straight win on their way to the final, although their quarterfinal victory against Germany required extra time.

Ollie Watkins became England's hero as he scored the winning goal in the semifinal against Netherlands

Semifinal 2: Netherlands vs. England - 1-2

As with France, England entered the tournament as one of the favourites with world-class players one every position but have underperformed significantly. England was despite this slightly favoured over the Netherlands, despite the latter improving for each game as the tournament progressed and being considered capable of eliminating the English.

The Netherlands started the match stronger, with their top talent Xavi Simons delivering a fine solo performance in the seventh minute, stealing the ball from Declan Rice and shooting from distance, not unlike Lamine Yamal's goal for Spain. Pickford got a hand on it, but the shot was too powerful to keep out.

Given England's weak offense in this Euro, it seemed they would struggle to overturn the early deficit. However, ten minutes after the Dutch goal, England was awarded a penalty when Harry Kane's took a shot and hit his foot with Denzel Dumfries' foot, as the Dutchman tried to block it. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, a decision many disagreed with. Kane converted the penalty confidently into the left corner, with Bart Verbruggen in the Dutch goal unable to stop it despite going the right way.

The equalizer energized England, who finally began to display some dangerous offensive play for the first time in the tournament. Phil Foden, who had been poor throughout the tournament, was suddenly a constant threat, including a shot cleared off the line by Dumfries and another hitting the post.

However, no further goals came in the first half, and the second half saw more cautious play. There were a few half-chances and a disallowed goal for England due to a narrow offside by Walker, who set up the goal.

The match seemed destined for extra time until, in the last seconds before full time, England's substitute Ollie Watkins controlled the ball in the penalty area, turned, and shot into the left corner. With only two minutes of stoppage time, the Netherlands didn't get a real chance to force an equalizer, and England held on to reach the final.

It is impressive that England reached the final despite their poor play in this Euro, but in this match, they showed some of their potential, and their victory, while not entirely convincing, wasn't undeserved.

Upcoming Final: Spain vs. England

The final between Spain and England will be held at Berlin's Olympiastadion on Sunday at 21:00 CET (20:00 UK time), promising to be an exciting match.

Few would have been surprised before the tournament to see these teams in the final, but they have certainly taken different paths. Spain has been strong from the first match, without a single bad match, while England has often played lackluster football but has made it through with strong defence and quite a bit of luck.

Due to their contrasting performances, Spain enters the final as favourites. While it's hard to see Spain not defeating this England team, one must remember that England has had luck on their side and played quite well against the Netherlands in the semifinal. If England can build on that performance and play to their potential, they will be a tough challenge for Spain.

Goalscoring Standings Ahead of the Final

With Dani Olmo officially credited with the 2-1 goal in the semifinal and Harry Kane scoring the penalty, we now have six players tied at three goals each at the top of the European ChampionshipEuro goalscoring chart, with only these two players still playing in the final. While either surely could score in the final, it's possible we may see at least six players share the Euro Golden Boot title.

Among players playing on Sunday who have scored two goals in the tournament and could reach three or even win the top scorer title outright by scoring twice in the final, we have Fabián Ruiz and Jude Bellingham. Seeing another player score a hat-trick and win the top scorer title seems less likely.

Euro 2024 semifinals played - time for the final

Semifinal 1: Spain vs. France - 2-1

Semifinal 2: Netherlands vs. England - 1-2

Upcoming Final: Spain vs. England

Goalscoring Standings Ahead of the Final

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