Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of Tuesday's mouthwatering Euro 2024 semi-final showdown between Spain and France at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Two of the strongest teams in this summer's tournament go head-to-head for the right to face either the Netherlands or England in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday.
In the quarter-finals, Luis de la Fuente's side left it late to edge past host nation Germany by a 2-1 scoreline after extra time, while Didier Deschamps's men triumphed on penalties against Portugal to make the last four following a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes.
Make sure you do not miss a moment of the action courtesy of our minute-by-minute updates below.
Luis de la Fuente's men have arguably been the best team of the tournament thus far and secured a statement victory over Germany in the quarter-finals to progress to the last four.
Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps's men have yet to reach the heights expected at Euro 2024, but they have battled their way to the semi-finals and came out on top against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal via a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals.
With just 30 minutes to go until kickoff, time for a look at the team news...
Subs: Raya, Vivian, Merino, Joselu, Torres, Grimaldo, Remiro, Baena, Zubimendi, Oyarzabal, Lopez, Perez
Subs: Samba, Pavard, Mendy, Camavinga, Giroud, Thuram, Zaire Emery, Fofana, Coman, Clauss, Areola, Konate, Barcola, Griezmann
While Le Normand and Carvajal are both serving suspensions, Pedri is ruled out through injury after suffering a medial collateral ligament knee sprain in the early stages of Friday's quarter-final.
Spain remarkably have both the oldest and youngest outfield players to ever feature in a semi-final of a European Championship or World Cup in their starting lineup.
At the ripe old age of 38 years and 231 days, Sevilla's Jesus Navas is handed a start at right-back, while Barcelona's Lamine Yamal - just 16 years and 362 days old - retains his spot on the right side of attack.
Dembele, meanwhile, is rewarded for his impressive display off the substitutes' bench against Portugal with a start in attack alongside Randal Kolo Muani and captain Kylian Mbappe.
Griezmann, who has struggled in front of goal at Euro 2024, is therefore dropped to the bench.
Spain could etch their name into continental folklore tonight...
La Roja are the only nation who have won all five matches at Euro 2024 and they could become the first team in European Championship history to win six games in a row at the same tournament if they beat France tonight.
As for France - two-time winners of the European Championship - they will endeavour to reach the final for the fourth time in their history, but only the second after Euro 2000 in the Netherlands not to be played on home soil.
La Roja have won seven games in a row and last won more consecutively between June 2009 and June 2010 (12).
You can understand why De la Fuente has labelled his side as "the best in the world" ahead of tonight's kickoff!
France, meanwhile, have only lost two of their last 19 international matches since the start of 2023 - both of which came in friendlies against Germany.
Les Bleus have been criticised by some for their 'boring football' at Euro 2024, but Deschamps came out fighting at his pre-match press conference, stating that "If you're getting bored, watch another game. You don't have to watch - it's fine."
Deschamps added: "It's very difficult for everyone, with fewer goals. It hasn't been the same as in the past, but we share the desire to make French men and women happy through the results we have been getting, especially in a period that has been hard for our country."
Deschamps and co have been thankful for two own goals, while the only Les Bleus player to celebrate scoring a goal is Kylian Mbappe, who converted from the penalty spot in a 1-1 group-stage draw with Poland.
France won three of their first four meetings with Spain at major tournaments (2-0 in Euro 1984 final, 2-1 in Euro 2000 quarter-final and 3-1 in last 16 of 2006 World Cup), while La Roja came out on top in the most recent encounter between the two nations - a 2-0 quarter-final win at Euro 2012. The other game was a group-stage draw at Euro 1996.
Hopefully a memorable contest will be in store!
Mbappe picks the ball up on the left flank and clips an inviting delivery towards the far post where Randal Kolo Muani is to nod the ball home, towering above Aymeric Laporte to head France into an early lead.
Spain restore parity in sensational fashion, with wonderkid Yamal whipping a delightful left-footed strike from the outside of the penalty area into the top corner, beating Mike Maignan all ends up.
Spain 0-1 France ⏱️ (9')
Spain 1-1 France ⏱️ (21')
Spain 2-1 France ⏱️ (25')
🍿🍿🍿#EURO2024 | #ESPFRA pic.twitter.com/5uex8Ehh7F — UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 9, 2024
Within the blink of an eye, Spain have turned this thrilling contest around!
Dani Olmo drives into France's penalty box and knocks the ball past Aurelien Tchouameni before smacking a right-footed shot towards the bottom corner.
The Spaniard's strik beats Maignan before a lunging Jules Kounde helps the ball over the line.
16 - Youngest players in history to score in EURO + World Cup:
1 - LAMINE YAMAL 🇪🇸 (16 years and 362 days).
2 - Pelé 🇧🇷 (17 years and 239 days)
3 - Manuel Rosas 🇲🇽 (18 years and 93 days)
4 - Gavi 🇪🇸 (18 years and 110 days)
Diamond. pic.twitter.com/3u3CET1pTm — OptaJose (@OptaJose) July 9, 2024
Yamal's equaliser means he has created history!
This will be a tough record for anyone to break!
If it is Olmo's goal, he's now the joint top scorer at Euro 2024 with three goals.
Spain then burst forward on the counter-attack, and after being picked out by Williams, Yamal's shot is deflected behind for a corner by Hernandez.
Spain are just 45 minutes away from reaching the Euro 2024 final!
However, Spain had other ideas and stunned Les Bleus with two quickfire strikes; the first an absolute stunner from Yamal before Olmo turned the contest on it head with a sweet strike of his own.
Dani Olmo has now contributed with three goals and two assists at Euro 2024, becoming the first Spanish player to be involved in five or more goals at a major tournament since David Silva at Euro 2012 (two goals, three assists).
Hopefully more of the same!
Williams initially did well to cover the ground and make the challenge, but was ultimately unable to get their ahead of Maignan.
France have shown a greater threat down the flanks in the second half.
A triple change sees Eduardo Camavinga, Antoine Griezmann and Bradley Barcola all brought on for Tchouameni, Rabiot and Kolo Muani
Only three outfield players - Cristiano Ronaldo (52), Bastian Schweinsteiger (38) and Miroslav Klose (37) - have made more appearances at the Euros and World Cup combined than Griezmann.
It's all about game management for La Roja at the moment.
Rodri now wearing the captain's armband for La Roja.
Lamine Yamal 🆚 France, #U17EURO semi-final, 2023 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kORrM0UmjL — UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 9, 2024
A post from UEFA of Yamal's goal against France for Spain's Under-17s in 2023... almost a carbon copy of his brilliant strike tonight!
Can the 37-year-old striker net a late leveller for Les Bleus?
After cutting inside from the right on his favoured left foot, the teenager's unleashed a shot that flew just over the crossbar; it had plenty of power and curl, but not quite enough dip to fly into the top corner.
Spain holding on here and managing the game well.
A nasty knock to the face for Laporte, whose face is covered in blood... ouch!
Real Madrid's summer signing is played through down the left by Barcola, and his eyes must have lit up as he cut inside and set himself for the shot.
However, Mbappe uncharacteristically fired his effort from 20 yards well over the crossbar, failing to test Simon between the sticks.
Time is running out for France...
That may well have been France's final chance.
The best attacking side of the tournament have knocked out the best defensive side of the tournament.
Spain have eliminated France to reach the Euro 2024 final!
Deschamp, Mbappe and the rest of France's squad will play no further part at Euro 2024, while Spain will go to Berlin on Sunday for the final.
You can find our brilliant match report of Spain's victory over France here.
Now the small matter of Netherlands vs. England on Wednesday! Until next time... goodnight!