The Euro 2024 semi-finals will kick off with a clash between Spain and France on Tuesday, followed by the Netherlands facing England the next day. We delve into some key statistics that underscore the success of each team.
Spain vs France
Spain secured their spot in the semi-finals by defeating hosts Germany with a dramatic extra-time winner from Mikel Merino, marking the third-latest winning goal in the tournament’s history. The disappointment continues for the host nation in the European championship, as no hosts have managed to win since France in 1984.
France advanced to the semis after a tense quarter-final against Portugal that ended in a draw even after extra-time. The 2018 world champions maintained their composure in the penalty shootout, overcoming Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Les Bleus have now reached at least the semi-finals in four of the last five major tournaments, showcasing their consistency at the highest level.
Both Spain and France will be making their sixth appearance in the Euro semi-finals. With another final place on the line, here are some intriguing statistics from their respective campaigns.
● France have advanced to the semi-finals without scoring from any of their 86 non-penalty shots in Euro 2024 so far.
● Spain have won all their matches in the tournament and become the third nation to achieve five straight wins (excluding shootouts) in Euro history, following France (Euro 1984) and Italy (Euro 2020).
● Dani Olmo, named Player of the Match against Germany, made history as the first Spaniard to score two goals as a substitute in a single edition of the Euros.
● Fabián Ruiz leads the tournament in possessions won with 37.
● Lamine Yamal has been exceptional, creating 14 chances at Euro 2024, the most by any teenager in the history of the World Cup or Euros. He also shares the title of joint-highest assist provider in Euro 2024, joining the ranks of four teenagers in Euro history to record multiple assists in a single edition, alongside Türkiye’s Arda Güler.
● Spain scored the joint-highest number of goals in Euro 2024 with 11 overall (2.2 per game), while France rank 12th in the tournament with three goals scored (0.6 per match).
● Defensively, France have conceded the fewest goals overall (one goal, 0.2 per game), while Spain rank second, having conceded two goals (0.4 per match).
Netherlands vs England
England have reached the semi-finals of the Euros in consecutive tournaments for the first time after defeating Switzerland on penalties. Breel Embolo opened the scoring for Switzerland in the 75th minute, but England equalised with their first shot on target in the 80th minute, scored by Bukayo Saka, and he was on target again as the Three Lions emerged victorious in the shootout.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands secured a comeback victory against Türkiye to advance to the semi-finals for the first time since 2004. Despite Türkiye taking an early lead through Samet Akaydin in the first half, Stefan de Vrij’s 70th-minute equaliser and Mert Muldur’s own goal propelled the Oranje to become the last semi-finalist.
Ahead of their upcoming clash, let’s review the statistics from these two sides.
● The Netherlands are third in goal differential at +4, while England rank fifth with a differential of +2 in Euro 2024.
● The Netherlands have scored nine goals in five matches, placing them second in the tournament behind Spain and Germany (11 goals each).
● England rank seventh in goals scored with five (one per match).
● England have conceded three goals in five matches, placing them sixth overall defensively. The Netherlands have conceded five goals, ranking 12th defensively.
● Dutch forward Cody Gakpo is the joint-highest goalscorer in Euro 2024 with three goals.
● England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has saved four of the 14 penalties he has faced in shootouts at major tournaments, twice as many as all other England goalkeepers combined from 1990 to 2012 (2 out of 36).
● Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk leads the tournament in aerial duels won with 18.