The Free Press Journal

Spain faces Mbappé's France

EURO 2024 | A spot in the final is on the line for both teams as they clash

Spain and France meet in the semifinals of the European Championsh­ip on Tuesday. The match pits one of the highest-scoring teams at the tournament against one of the lowest as France's star forward Kylian Mbappé has struggled to get to grips with his mask. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) in Munich. Here's what to know about the match:

Match facts- The winner will play England or the Netherland­s in the final on Sunday in Berlin. Their semifinal is on Wednesday.

- Spain and France's quarterfin­als both went to extra time. Substitute Mikel Merino's game-winning goal in the last minute of extra time handed Spain a 2-1 victory over host nation Germany, while France needed penalties to see off Portugal after the match ended goalless.

- No France player has scored from open play at Euro 2024. The French have only scored through two own goals and a penalty from Mbappé. Spain has netted 11 times.

- Mbappé, who will be facing several of his new Real Madrid teammates, will again be wearing a protective mask after sustaining a broken nose in France's group opener against Austria.

- Spain, which is chasing a record fourth European Championsh­ip title, has been perfect in Germany. It was the only team to win all its group stage matches, while France could only muster draws against Poland and the Netherland­s after a narrow win over Austria. Team news- Spain paid the price for its dramatic win over Germany and a number of players will miss the semifinal - and in some cases the final should La Roja get there - because - Midfielder of suspension Pedri or injury. had to come off in the eighth minute against Germany with a knee injury following a hefty challenge from Toni Kroos and has been ruled out of the rest of Euro 2024. He will again be replaced by Dani Olmo - who came on for the 21-year-old and went on to score the opener as well as set up Merino's

winner.

- Dani Carvajal was sent off late in extra time for a second yellow card and will be suspended against France, as will fellow defender Robin le Normand after picking up another booking.

Veteran Jesús Navas is likely to be tasked with marking Mbappé.

- France coach Didier Deschamps has no injury problems as Marcus Thuram returned to training on Sunday, alleviatin­g concerns he could miss the semifinal after taking a blow to his thigh at the end of the match against Portugal.