EURO 2024 came down to three games, two semis, and the following finals. The climax of the entertainment is ahead of us, and we simply have to make a preview of what is about to happen.
One semi is between Spain and France, while the other includes England and the Netherlands. From what we saw so far, things are about to be messy and tough, but that’s what football is all about, and we can’t wait for these battles to kick off.
Spain vs. France Preview
Spain
History repeats itself, and there is no way of proving this phrase wrong. Mikel Merino proved that against Germany in the quarterfinals when he hit the back of the net in the final moments at the same place where his father scored the goal some three decades earlier. Only this goal had a much more significant impact on Spanish football.
Despite conceding a goal in both knockout rounds, following three clean sheets in the group stage, the Red Fury’s potent attack compensated for these defensive lapses. They convincingly defeated Georgia 4-1 and managed a tight 2-1 victory over Germany. We have to say that the midfield, Ruiz, Pedri, and Rodri, lead this team in the best possible way, and this trio is the leading force of the Spanish crew.
Considering the form, Spain has eight games without a loss and seven consecutive victories. In five, they haven’t allowed a goal.
France
It might be that this team is no longer the explosive force it once was. Or they might have changed their style of play. France is in the semis, yet their performances have been, the least to say, pale and deflated. However, you can’t criticize them too much. For the time being. They might not have the same allure as in the past, but the bottom line is that they are getting results, and that’s all that truly matters.
France scored only one goal from open play; the remaining two goals came courtesy of opponents’ own goals, and the third was from the penalty spot, the same that pushed them past Portugal in the quarterfinals.
All of France’s matches in Germany featured no more than two goals, with the encounter against Poland being the exception where both teams found the net.
Spain vs. France Picks
The Spanish team showed more than France, and despite not having Dani Carvajal, they are closer to reaching the finals. We don’t believe that the French team has both luck and the power to once again eliminate another rival. Check out the odds here.
🔥 Bring on the semis!#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/JrJFEZFymG
— UEFA (@UEFA) July 7, 2024
Netherlands VS England Preview
Netherlands
It seems the Netherlands aren’t playing until they fall into a deficit or at least until the rivals threaten their goal. Following the opening meeting against Poland, they once again trailed, only this time in the quarterfinals vs. Turkey. But their resilient mentality and calmness (which wasn’t there in the near past) turned the tide in their favor. And that needs to be respected.
Oranje’s attack has been terrorizing defenses, causing significant disruptions, even in the match against France, the sole instance where they failed to find the net but still managed to create numerous problems for the French side.
In their last nine encounters, a single match ended with fewer than three goals, with the Dutch side netting two or more goals in each but one. Therefore, Gakpo, Depay, and the rest of the crew are doing an amazing job.
England
If Gareth Southgate leads his team to the title here, he will be one of the luckiest head coaches in the game’s history. His team isn’t playing well at all and slips by the rivals, and Southgate makes it even tougher for his players to perform with all his unreasonable moves.
Since the commencement of EURO 2024, England hasn’t been better than any of its rivals. And that’s a fact. Even in their lone 90-minute victory over Serbia, the Albion appeared lackluster, not having a shred of creativity in the offense. Basically, it’s all about Bellingham and whether he does anything.
England played five games at the 2024 EURO and all of them concluded with under 2.5 goals – three ending in a 1-1 draw. So, whoever says this isn’t a problem knows nothing about football.
Netherlands VS England Picks
The Netherlands looks better, and we pick them to advance to the next stage. They have a system on the field, and although they sometimes make mistakes in the back line, Oranje confidently erases them. Here are the odds.
