French legend Zinedine Zidane was instrumental in helping Les Bleus win their first World Cup in 1998 and a second European Championship title in 2000. MUNICH – Spain and France face off for a place in the Euro 2024 final on July 9, after taking contrasting routes to the semi-final clash in Munich. As France have stumbled their way through to the last four, Spain’s flowing football has made them the team to beat in Germany.
However, they will have to overturn a poor record against the French in major tournament competition to do so. AFP Sport looks at five classic clashes between the two nations: Michel Platini’s Euro 84 The first meeting between two of European football’s powerhouses at a major tournament did not take place until the final of Euro 1984. Hosts France emerged victorious, led by the imperious Platini – whose nine goals in a single tournament remains a Euro record.
The midfielder opened the scoring at the Parc des Princes in a moment that dogged Spanish goalkeeper Luis Arconada for the rest of his career. Arconada let a low free-kick from the three-time Ballon d’Or winner slip through his grasp before Bruno Bellone chipped the La Roja custodian in stoppage time to seal Les Bleus’ first major tournament victory. Youri Djorkaeff stunner at Euro 2000 France also defeated Spain 2-1 en route to their second Euro win in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The quarter-final clash in Bruges was a classic, featuring a free-kick from another iconic French No. 10. Z.