France were knocked out at the semi-final stage after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Spain
France will not be involved in a third-place play-off at Euro 2024 after they were knocked out at the semi-final stage by Spain.
Luis de la Fuente’s side remain unbeaten after first-half goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo sealed their place in the final, where they will take on either England or the Netherlands.
La Roja beat Croatia, Italy and Albania in the group stage before seeing off Georgia, Germany and France.
France, meanwhile, will be hugely disappointed by their latest European Championship campaign after scoring just four times in five games [two own-goals, a Kylian Mbappe penalty and Tuesday’s effort from Kolo Muani].
This is the end of the competition for Didier Deschamps’ side, who will not take part in a third-place play-off like the FIFA World Cup.
Back in 2022, Morocco took on Croatia for the third spot after they lost against Argentina and France respectively in the semi-final stage.
However, there hasn’t been a third-place play-off match since Euro 1980, which was held in Italy.
The hosts were involved in the last third-place play-off match as they lost 9-8 against Czechoslovakia on penalties after drawing the match 1-1.
Although Italy were playing, the interest in the game was low and TV audiences were down. In fact, the attendance inside the stadium was also below expectations.
Since then, there have been 10 European Championships without a third-place play-off match.
Image credit: Getty
Ahead of Tuesday’s game, France boss Didier Deschamps responded to accusations that his team are played “boring” football at Euro 2024.
“If you’re getting bored, you know what? Watch another game, that’s fine. You don’t have to watch, it’s fine. It’s a European Championship, it’s very difficult for everyone.
“Up until now, it has not been the same as in the past, but we do have the capability to share emotions, to make lots of French men and women happy though the results that we’ve been pulling out of the bag, especially in a period that has been quite difficult for our country.
“But I’m sorry if the Swedish are getting bored of our football. It doesn’t really bother me that much.”
Unseen footage from inside the stadium shows Jordan Pickford’s 1000 IQ move to put Manuel Akanji off during penalty shootout (an)
Jordan Pickford made a crucial penalty save from Manuel Akanji as England progressed to the Euro 2024 semi finals.
Unseen footage from inside the stadium showed how England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford got inside the head of Manuel Akanji before producing a crucial penalty save.
Pickford has become something of a penalty specialist for the Three Lions and England’s No.1 came up with heroics again in the quarter final in Dusseldorf.
After a 1-1 draw following Bukayo Saka quickly cancelling out Breel Embolo’s strike, the clash went all the way to penalties.
All five of England’s takers did the business, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all finding the net to secure a 5-3 shoot-out victory.
Image: Getty
Manchester City defender Akanji was the only player to miss after stepping up first for the Swiss.
But the BBC’s feed did not quite cover the lengths Pickford went to put off Akanji.
He spent a considerable amount of time delaying the taking of the penalty
As shared by presenter Rob Armstrong, footage from the stands showed Pickford taking his time, putting his water bottle and towel down before speaking to the referee Daniele Orsato.
He then guessed right to make the save after having the words “dive left” on his bottle in regards to Akanji’s placement.
Image: Getty
Pickford has now saved four penalties out of 14 in major tournament shoot-outs but the Everton shostopper did reveal afterwards that the referee didn’t allow his normal process during the shoot-out.
Speaking to ITV, he said: “Firstly, the referee didn’t let me do my usual process, so I’ve got to adapt… because I like to give the lads the ball. I could only do it for the first time and luckily, I saved it.”
Alexander-Arnold scored the winning penalty to set up a semi final showdown with the Netherlands on Wednesday.
The Dutch came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 in Berlin.
BBC panel leaves the whole of England in disbelief after praising one player during Switzerland game (an)
Fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing
Fans have been left baffled while watching the BBC’s coverage of England vs Switzerland.
The Three Lions struggled in the quarter-final clash and fell behind after 75 minutes when Breel Embolo bundled home before Bukayo Saka levelled the score five minutes later with a stunning effort from distance.
Gareth Southgate made just one change to the team that beat Slovakia, with Ezri Konsa replacing the suspended Marc Guehi, with a slight change of system to allow Phil Foden to play more centrally.
Various reports in the media suggested Southgate would start with a three-man defence, with Saka playing at left wing-back, but it was Kieran Trippier who retained his place on the left of defence.
While the change to accommodate Foden led to the Man City man getting on the ball more, he was unable to make a significant difference to proceedings.
Nevertheless, the entire BBC panel of Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Micah Richards enthused over his first-half showing.
England fans however had other ideas and claimed the panellists must have be watching a different game, not at all impressed with Foden’s showing.
Here is how they reacted on social media:
Thoughts on Phil Foden's first half? 🤔#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ENGSUI pic.twitter.com/5nWJSJrqqG
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 6, 2024
One fan said: “Not impressive at all.”
Another said: “Baffled by the praise at half time, he’s done nothing.”
A third added: “These 4 are watching a different game. It’s been awful.”
A fourth said: “He’s done about as much as me in that first half, and I’m sat at home.”
Roy Keane’s reaction to Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick vs Slovakia has gone viral (an)
Finally, a fifth fan added: “He’s been ok but that was bizarre coverage of him at half time.”
Phil Foden playing for England (Getty)
Commentating on the slight formation change, Foden admitted it would help bring the best out of his game.
He told the BBC before the game: “We changed formation to match what they do and get pressure up the field and to try retain the ball – let’s see if it works, I am looking forward to it.
“For me it will be I’ll be more centrally and staying inside. I think it will suit me a little bit better today.
“If we get the formation right and press right it will give us a lot of confidence.”
