Spain vs France facts

The Munich Football Arena stages the latest chapter in one of European football's great international rivalries as Spain face France in the first semi-final of UEFA EURO 2024.

The teams have faced each other on 36 occasions, each claiming significant victories in the UEFA European Championship. France overcame Spain on their way to claiming the trophy in 1984 – in the final – and 2000; Spain's historic 2012 campaign, when they became the first side to retain the title, featured a last-eight win against Les Bleus.

Both edged through dramatic quarter-finals to set up this tie. Spain eliminated hosts Germany in extra time, Mikel Merino heading a 119th-minute winner after Dani Olmo's 51st-minute strike had been cancelled out a minute before the end of normal time; France needed penalties to see off Portugal, who had beaten them in the 2016 final, eventually prevailing 5-3 on spot kicks after a goalless 120 minutes in Hamburg.

The teams came through the round of 16 in contrasting fashion, Spain recovering from conceding their first goal of EURO 2024 to beat debutants Georgia 4-1, while an 85th-minute own goal from Jan Vertonghen gave France a 1-0 win against Belgium.

La Roja had finished top of Group B after victories against Croatia (3-0) and Italy and Albania (both 1-0) – they were the only side to win all three group games and not concede a goal. France kicked off with a 1-0 defeat of Austria before draws against Netherlands (0-0) and Poland (1-1) pushed them down to second place in Group D.

Previous meetings

Matches 36
Spain wins 16
France wins 13
Draws 7
Spain goals 64
France goals 39

The teams' last meeting came in the UEFA Nations League final at Milan's San Siro on 10 October 2021, Kylian Mbappé scoring at 80th-minute winner for a France side coached, as now, by Didier Deschamps. Mikel Oyarzabal's 64th-minute opener for Luis Enrique's Spain had been cancelled out two minutes later by Karim Benzema.

That was only France's second win in their last eight games against Spain (D1 L5), the other a 1-0 friendly success at the Stade de France on 4 September 2014; Spain won 2-0 at the same venue on 28 March 2017, the teams' last friendly fixture.

A Spain side coached by Vicente del Bosque had taken four points off Deschamps' France in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, the visitors rescuing a 1-1 draw in Madrid thanks to a 94th-minute Olivier Giroud goal that cancelled out Sergio Ramos's first-half opener, before Pedro Rodríguez got the only goal in Saint-Denis.

La Roja ended France's interest in EURO 2012, Xabi Alonso scoring in each half to earn a 2-0 quarter-final win in Donetsk.

Before that 2021 Nations League victory, France's last competitive success against Spain had come in Hannover in the 2006 World Cup round of 16. David Villa's 28th-minute penalty put Spain in front but Franck Ribéry (41) levelled before the break and late goals from Patrick Vieira (83) and Zinédine Zidane (90+2) earned a 3-1 France win.

Zidane had also scored in the EURO 2000 quarter-final between the countries in Bruges, although his 32nd-minute strike was cancelled out six minutes later by a Gaizka Mendieta penalty. Youri Djorkaeff got what proved to be the winner for France a minute before half-time, Raúl González sending a late Spain penalty over the crossbar.

France beat Spain 3-1 at home and 2-1 away in qualifying for EURO '92. Deschamps played in both games and was France captain when the countries drew 1-1 in the group stage at EURO '96, José Luis Caminero cancelling out a goal by Djorkaeff.

France claimed their first major honour at Spain's expense with a 2-0 success at the Parc des Princes in Paris in the 1984 European Championship final. Michel Platini's record ninth goal of the finals set hosts France on their way, his free-kick squirming through the grasp of Luis Arconada, the Spain goalkeeper and his opposing captain. Arconada picked the ball out of his net once more in the last minute after Bruno Bellone chipped in.

The biggest winning margin between the teams came in an 8-1 Spain victory in a friendly in Zaragoza in April 1929 – one of seven Spanish wins from the first eight encounters.

EURO facts

Spain

Spain's EURO semi-final record is W4 L1:
1964 W 2-1 v Hungary (aet)
1984 W 1-1 v Denmark (aet, 5-4 pens)
2008 W 3-0 v Russia
2012 W 0-0 v Portugal (aet, 4-2 pens)
2020 L 0-0 v Italy (aet, 2-4 pens)

This is Spain's sixth semi-final; only Germany, with eight, have reached the last four more frequently.

Álvaro Morata scored a late equaliser against Italy in the EURO 2020 semi-final but was one of two Spain players to fail from the spot in the shoot-out, Dani Olmo the other.

EURO 2020 was the first time Spain had won their EURO quarter-final and not gone on to lift the trophy.

Only Germany, with 14, have participated in more EURO finals than Spain, who have made it through qualification for the nation's 12th appearance at the tournament. They are making their eighth EURO appearance in a row and 11th in the last 12 editions, missing out only in 1992 in that sequence.

Champions in 1964, 2008 and 2012 – the only side to win successive European Championships – Spain were also runners-up in 1984.

Spain and Germany/West Germany are the most successful EURO teams having won three editions each.

A side coached by Enrique finished second behind Sweden in Group E at EURO 2020, winning one game and drawing the other two, before edging through knockout ties against Croatia (5-3 aet) and Switzerland (1-1 aet, 3-1 pens) only to lose to Italy in the last four.

With Luis de la Fuente having replaced Enrique as coach, Spain qualified for EURO 2024 as Group A winners, their only blemish a 2-0 loss in Scotland in their second game. La Roja won their other seven matches to finish four points above the Scots at the top of the table, booking their passage to the finals with a 1-0 win in Norway on 15 October 2023.

The quarter-final win against Germany made it seven successive victories for Spain. A 1-0 friendly loss against Colombia on 22 March is their sole defeat in their last 17 matches (W14 D2).

La Roja are unbeaten in 11 EURO finals matches (W7 D4), since a 2-0 loss against Italy in the last 16 of EURO 2016.

Spain have now qualified from the group stage eight times in 11 EURO campaigns – including each of the last five.

All six of Spain's EURO 2024 games have been played at different venues.

This is Spain's first game at the Munich Football Arena. They have played twice in the city, 2-0 European Championship defeats in the 1976 quarter-final second leg – completing a 3-1 aggregate defeat – and on Matchday 3 of the 1988 finals, Rudi Völler scoring twice to end La Roja's interest in the tournament.

France

Les Bleus' record in EURO semi-finals is W3 L2:
1960 L 4-5 v Yugoslavia
1984 W 3-2 v Portugal (aet)
1996 L 0-0 v Czech Republic (aet; 5-6 pens)
2000 W 2-1 v Portugal (aet; golden goal)
2016 W 2-0 v Germany

Antoine Griezmann scored both goals in the 2016 win against Germany in Marseille.

European champions in 1984, as hosts, and 2000, France are in the finals for the 11th time overall and have not missed a tournament since 1988.

Hosts in 2016, when they lost to Portugal in the final, Les Bleus have been coached by Deschamps since 2012.

France were first in Group F at EURO 2020, ahead of Germany, holders Portugal and Hungary, but bowed out in the first knockout stage, losing 5-4 on penalties to Switzerland after a 3-3 draw in which they had led 3-1 with nine minutes remaining.

Deschamps' side have reached the final in three of last four World Cups and European Championships, losing 1-0 after extra time to Portugal in 2016 and Argentina on penalties in 2022 but beating Croatia to claim their second world title in 2018.

France won seven of their eight games on their way to EURO 2024, sealing their place in Germany with two matches to spare thanks to a 2-1 win away to the Netherlands on 13 October. They ended with 22 points, four clear of runners-up the Dutch.

A 14-0 home defeat of Gibraltar in France's penultimate fixture set a new European Championship qualifying record for biggest victory and was also Les Bleus' largest win.

Deschamps' team are unbeaten in eight games (W4 D4), since a 2-0 friendly reverse at home to Germany on 23 March. That is their only loss in their last 13 matches (W7 D5).

France have now progressed from the group stage eight times in ten EURO appearances, including in seven of the last eight.

Les Bleus have scored three goals in their five EURO 2024 games – two own goals and a penalty.

Mbappé's spot kick against Poland on Matchday 3 is his only goal in his eight appearances at a EURO final tournament.

France are unbeaten at the Munich Football Arena (W2 D1), beating Portugal 1-0 in the 2006 World Cup semi-final with a Zinédine Zidane penalty and Germany by the same scoreline on Matchday 1 of EURO 2020 thanks to a Mats Hummels own goal. They also shared a goalless Nations League draw against Germany on 6 September 2018.

Links and trivia

Have played in Spain:Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid 2022–)
Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid 2021–)
Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid 2019–)
Jules Koundé (Sevilla 2019–22, Barcelona 2022–)
Alphonse Areola (Villarreal 2015/16, Real Madrid 2019/20)
Théo Hernandez (Atlético de Madrid 2007–17, Alavés 2016/17 loan, Real Madrid 2017–19, Real Sociedad 2018/19 loan)
Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad 2005–14, Atlético de Madrid 2014–19, 2021–, Barcelona 2019–21)
Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona 2017–23)

Kylian Mbappé announced last month he will join Real Madrid this summer.

Has played in France:
Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain 2022–)

Robin Le Normand (Pabu) and Aymeric Laporte (Agen) were both born in France. Le Normand came through the ranks at Brest, making a single first-team appearance before joining Real Sociedad in July 2016; Laporte played for the youth teams at Agen (2000–09) and Bayonne (2009/10) before completing a move to Athletic Club in 2010.

Currently play together:
Dani Carvajal & Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid 2022–)
Dani Carvajal & Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid 2021–)Dani Carvajal & Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid 2019–)
Pedri, Ferran Torres & Jules Koundé (Barcelona 2022–)
Lamine Yamal, Fermín López & Jules Koundé (Barcelona 2023–)
Fabián Ruiz & Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola (Paris 2023–)
Fabián Ruiz & Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain 2022–)
Álvaro Morata & Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid 2019, 2021–)
William Saliba & David Raya (Arsenal 2023–)

Have also played together:
Nacho & Aurélien Tchouameni (Real Madrid 2022–24)
Joselu & Aurélien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid 2023/24)
Nacho & Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid 2021–24)
Nacho & Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid 2019–24)
Joselu & Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid 2023/24)
Dani Carvajal, Nacho & Alphonse Areola (Real Madrid 2019/20)
Rodri & Alphonse Areola (Villarreal 2015/16)
Jesús Navas & Jules Koundé (Sevilla 2019–22)
Pedri, Ferran Torres & Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona 2022/23)
Fabián Ruiz & Kylian Mbappé (Paris 2022–24)
Rodri & Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid 2018/19)
Dani Carvajal, Nacho & & Théo Hernandez (Real Madrid 2017/18)
Mikel Oyarzabal, Robin Le Normand, Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi & Théo Hernandez (Real Sociedad 2018/19)
Mikel Merino & Ousmane Dembélé (Dortmund 2016/17)
Álvaro Morata & Adrien Rabiot (Juventus 2020–22)
Álvaro Morata & N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea 2017–19)
Marc Cucurella & N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea 2022/23)
Dani Olmo & Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konaté (Leipzig 2020/21)
Álvaro Morata & Kingsley Coman (Juventus 2014/15)

Mbappé scored once in Paris – Barcola getting the other – and twice in San Sebastián as Paris beat Real Sociedad 4-1 on aggregate in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League round of 16; Remiro, Le Normand, Merino, Oyarzabal and Zubimendi all featured for the Spanish side, Merino scoring in the second leg.

The France captain then scored two goals at Barcelona as Paris came from behind to win 4-1 in the quarter-final second leg having lost 2-3 at the Parc des Princes in the first leg. Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Ferran Torres and Fermín López played in both legs for the Blaugrana.

Mbappé hit a hat-trick in Paris's 4-1 win at Barcelona in the 2020/21 Champions League round of 16 first leg and also converted a penalty in a second-leg 1-1 draw.

Jonathan Clauss scored a crucial goal in added time of Marseille's 3-1 second-leg loss at Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg on 14 March, the French side winning 5-3 on aggregate; Álex Baena was a substitute for the Spanish team.

On 12 August 2023, Olmo scored all three Leipzig goals at the Munich Football Arena in a 3-0 German Super Cup win against Bayern München.

Alejandro Grimaldo was on target in Leverkusen's 2-2 Bundesliga draw against Bayern at the Munich Football Arena on 15 September 2023.

Nacho and Joselu, a late substitute, were in the Real Madrid side that drew 2-2 with Bayern at the Munich Football Arena in the Champions League semi-final first leg on 30 April.

De la Fuente's Spain beat France 4-1 on 27 June 2019 in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Oyarzabal and Olmo scored Spain's second and third goals, while Fabián Ruiz also started and Merino came on in the second half. Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano and substitute Marcus Thuram featured for France.

Penalty shoot-outs

Spain's record in their 13 competitive penalty shoot-outs is W7 L6:
5-4 v Denmark, 1984 European Championship semi-final
4-5 v Belgium, 1986 World Cup quarter-final
2-4 v England, EURO '96 quarter-final
3-2 v Republic of Ireland, 2002 World Cup round of 16
3-5 v South Korea, 2002 World Cup quarter-final
4-2 v Italy, EURO 2008 quarter-final
4-2 v Portugal, EURO 2012 semi-final
7-6 v Italy, 2013 Confederations Cup semi-final
3-4 v Russia, 2018 World Cup round of 16
3-1 v Switzerland, EURO 2020 quarter-final
2-4 v Italy, EURO 2020 semi-final
0-3 v Morocco, 2022 World Cup round of 16
5-4 v Croatia, 2023 Nations League final

France's record in nine competitive penalty shoot-outs is W4 L5 with the quarter-final against Portugal ending a run of three successive defeats:
4-5 v West Germany, 1982 World Cup semi-final
4-3 v Brazil, 1986 World Cup quarter-final
5-4 v Netherlands, EURO '96 quarter-final
5-6 v Czech Republic, EURO '96 semi-final
4-3 v Italy, 1998 World Cup quarter-final
3-5 v Italy, 2006 World Cup final
4-5 v Switzerland, EURO 2020 round of 16
2-4 v Argentina, 2022 World Cup final
5-3 v Portugal, EURO 2024 quarter-final