SPAIN will need to turn the heat up for their huge Euro 2024 semi-final clash against neighbours France.
La Roja beat hosts Germany to continue their 100 per cent winning streak in the tournament and secure their spot in the last four.
Spain have been one of the few teams to put in consistently impressive performances in Germany.
Luis de la Fuente’s side led for much of the second half in their clash with the hosts after substitute Dani Olmo’s goal.
Mikel Merino prevented the game from going to penalties with a 119th-minute header after Florian Wirtz had forced extra-time late on.
Meanwhile, France have been on the opposite end of the entertainment scale after scrapping a win on penalties against Portugal in the quarter-final.
Kylian Mbappe and Co still haven’t scored a goal from open play.
But it does not matter as Didier Deschamps‘ side are now one game away from a third major final in four tournaments.
Spain named an unchanged team against Germany after coming from behind to beat plucky Georgia 4-1 in the last 16.
Nacho Fernandez and Ayoze Perez are both fit to return to the bench after knocks.
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Pedri is ruled out with a knee injury suffered just minutes in Stuttgart in a heavy challenge from Toni Kroos.
Dani Olmo will be expected to start again after his goal and assist against the Germans.
But Spain will be without Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand due to suspensions.
Meanwhile, France’s star boy Kylian Mbappe has not been on top form during this tournament after breaking his nose in the group stage clash against Austria.
And Deschamps handed Randal Kolo Muani and Eduardo Camavinga their first starts in the tournament against Portugal.
But neither shined in the quarter-final and Antoine Griezmann is expected to be dropped for Ousmane Dembele in the semi-final.
France overall have not stood out at this year’s tournament.
But former Chelsea star N’Golo Kante– who was absent from the squad national squad last year – has impressed in games for Les Bleus.
The 33-year-old Al-Ittihad midfielder has rolled back the years with some eye-catching performances.
Meanwhile, Nico Williams has been one of Spain’s standout performers at the Euros.
The Athletic Bilbao star has formed an excellent partner shift with Marc Cucurella down the left flank.
The 21-year-old winger has scored one goal and added an assist during his debut senior European Championship.
France won the last clash at the 2021 Nations League final and they knocked Spain out at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2000.
They also beat the Spaniards in the Euro 1984 final, whereas La Roja’s only major tournament victory over France came at Euro 2012.
Spain wins: 16
France wins: 13
Draws: 7
Ahead of the clash, Spain’s Luis de la Fuente wants his side to give it their all against France on Tuesday.
He said: “For me, success is the result of a lot of work and dedication but success is also about the journey. Work, dedication, effort, sacrifice. And if you give everything, you never fail.”
And France’s Didier Deschamps is over the moon to see his side reach the semi-final after the journey they have faced to get here.
He said: “We have reached the semi-finals and that is an achievement, even if people expect us to get here.
“For me, it is pride in my players, even though not everything has been done perfectly. I would like to seize this moment and make the most of it.”
Match result
Winner of the tie
*Odds courtesy of William Hill and are correct at the time of publication.
