Spain vs France. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

unnamed   2024 07 29T170425.116
While the Spanish senior team has already claimed the EURO title, the youth team now has a chance to shine. Can they overcome a formidable French side?

Spain U19 will face France U19 in the UEFA EURO U19 final match at the Windsor Park Stadium in Belfast. The fixture will take place on Sunday, July 28, beginning at 23:30 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Spain News & Current Form: 

After the semi-final matches, the final teams of the 2024 European Under-19 Championship, held in Northern Ireland, have been determined. On 28th July in Belfast, Spain and France will face each other. All four semi-finalists, along with the team from Norway which finished fifth, have secured spots in the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile.

Spain’s U-19 football team has had an impressive journey in the current European Championship. In the qualifying round, the team showcased their strength by winning Group 6 in a mini-tournament held in Georgia. They confidently defeated their opponents, beating Moldova (5:0), Cyprus (2:0), and Georgia (4:0).

In the elite round, the team also displayed a high level of play, finishing first in Group 1 during the mini-tournament in Slovenia. The results were a bit more tense, but the team managed: they drew with the host country Slovenia (1:1), and defeated Kosovo (2:1) and Austria (2:1). The top scorer in the qualifiers was Yarek Gasiorowski with four goals.

In the group stage of the final tournament, the Red Fury finished second in Group A. In the first two matches, they earned four points, defeating Denmark with a score of 2:1 despite a red card in the middle of the second half. This was followed by a draw with Turkey (1:1), with a good corner delivery from Pol Fortuny leading to a goal by defender Gasiorowski. 

The Turkish team then took the initiative, and coach José Lana attempted several substitutions, bringing on Dani Rodríguez, David Mella, and later Chema Andrés after the break, but none could turn the tide. It seemed that the Spanish specialist might have made some errors in his starting lineup, but importantly, his side didn’t lose. Spain’s squad is fairly well-structured, with the coaching staff experimenting in midfield and the forward trio, showcasing the balance typical of a top team aiming for medals.

One of the top scorers of the Spanish U19 team – Yarek Gasiorowski

They concluded the group stage with a match against France, which ended in a draw (2:2). The top scorers in the final tournament – Chema, Jarek, Iker Bravo, Rodríguez, Simo Keddari, and Fortuny – each scored one goal.

Spain became the first finalist of the championship by defeating Italy in the semi-final: the only goal came in extra time in the 109th minute, scored by Fortuny.

It is worth noting that the Spanish youth team has a rich history of success in this tournament. The team has won eight titles (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019) and now has the chance to claim a ninth trophy since the tournament transitioned to the U19 format in the 2001/02 season. Reaching the final stage for a record 14th time, Spain reaffirm their status as one of the leaders in European youth football. Ahead lies the decisive match that could bring the Fury another trophy and further solidify their leadership among Europe’s best Under-19 teams.

Don`t miss out 👉: Top 5 Players Real Madrid Should Sell ft. Rodrygo, Lunin, etc.

France News & Current Form: 

The French national team has also made an impressive journey in the European Championship. In the qualifying round, the team finished second in Group 1, participating in a mini-tournament held in their home country. The Tri-coloured secured victories over Estonia (2:0) and Iceland (1:0), but lost to Denmark (1:2).

In the elite round, the team showcased their strength by winning Group 2 in a mini-tournament held in the Netherlands. The team defeated Belgium (2:0) and hosts Netherlands (1:0), although they suffered a defeat against Lithuania (0:2). The top scorer in the qualifiers was Mathys Tel, who netted two goals.

Elyaz Zidane, the son of the legendary Zinedine Zidane, is now representing the French U19 team

During the group stage of the final tournament, France finished first in Group A, demonstrating excellent form. In their opening match, the French team overcame Turkey (2:1), then secured a win against Denmark (4:2), and rounded off the group stage with a draw against Spain.

The third match of Group B took place in Larne at the Inver Park Stadium and ended with a score of 2:2. France took the lead in the 13th minute with a goal from Saimon Bouabré. Dani Rodríguez equalised in the 65th minute, and Simo Keddari put Spain ahead in the 74th minute. A decisive goal came in the 90th minute from Valentin Atangana. Notably, the French national team included Elyaz Zidane, the youngest son of legendary player Zinedine Zidane, who played the entire match as a right-back. It’s worth noting that in matches against Turkey and Spain, the team under the guidance of Bernard Diomède showed their fighting spirit. Even when trailing, the French managed to secure the results they needed.

In the semi-final, they faced Ukraine, with the result determining the second finalist of the tournament (1:0). The first half, played under rain, saw French dominance, although not overwhelming. The wet pitch made an impact, and the French played cautiously, aware that they were just one step away from the final. Ukraine created the most dangerous moment of the first half when Oleksiy Gusev hit the crossbar.

The turning point in the match came with Valentin Atangana’s goal early in the second half. After a well-executed set piece, the French played the ball around the penalty area, and the captain managed to beat two Ukrainian defenders and head powerfully into the corner of the net. This goal was a fitting conclusion to the French team’s persistent efforts and allowed them to take the lead.

In the first half, only the Ukrainians created dangerous moments but were unable to score. In the second half, the French took the lead. The opponents tried to level the score, but their efforts were in vain.

As with other modern French U19 teams, there is more than one strong lineup available. In this tournament, they have rotated their squad significantly for each match without losing attacking potential, yet still allowed opponents opportunities. Five goals conceded in three matches and numerous chances for opponents confirm the team’s imperfections.

The most notable players in the squad at the European Championship in Northern Ireland include midfielders Jean Mattéo Bahoya (Eintracht Frankfurt), Valentin Atangana Edoa (Stade de Reims), Senny Mayulu (PSG), and Eli Junior Kroupi (FC Lorient), as well as Olympique Lyonnais defenders Saël Kumbedi and Mamadou Sarr.

It is worth noting that the Tri-coloured have a rich history of success in this tournament. The team has won three titles (2005, 2010, 2016) and now aims for a fourth. The last time they won the U19 European Championship was in 2016, and the core of the current squad consists of players who won the U17 EURO in 2022. The French U19 team is once again demonstrating their high level of play, and the upcoming final could bring them the long-awaited trophy, reaffirming their status as one of Europe’s strongest youth teams.

Spain form guide: W-W-W-W-D-W

France form guide: L-W-W-W-D-W

Spain vs France Head-To-Head Record:

SpainDrawFrance
546
  • March 27, 2018: Spain 2 – 4 France (U19 Championship);
  • July 24, 2019: France 0 – 0 Spain (U19 Championship);
  • July 22, 2024: Spain 2 – 2 France (U19 Championship).

Spain vs France Predicted XI:

Spain’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Jimenez; Ramon, Keddari, Gasiorowski, Diaz; Rodriguez, Andres, Belaid; Mella, Diao, Bravo.

France’s possible starting lineup (3-4-2-1): Bengui Joao; Kumbedi, Jacquet, Zidane, Soumahoro; Benama, Atangana, Mayulu; Aiki, Kroupi, Bahoya.

Statistical preview of the match Spain vs France:

  • Spain’s First XI average age is 19.2 years, and France’s First XI average age is 19.0 years.
  • The value of Spain’s squad is 30 mln euros, while the total of the French team comes up to 39 mln euros.
  • France has not lost 5 matches in a row and has scored at least 2 goals.
  • Both teams have scored in the last 4 matches involving France.

What has been said before the match:

Gaffer of the French squad Bernard Diomède about  the semifinal match with Ukraine and the upcoming final of the U19 championship:

“We were very afraid of this Ukrainian team, who beat us at the Euro in 2018 (2-1). They don’t give up, with a lot of intensity, fighting spirit, and long play. It’s difficult to score goals against them, we knew we would have to be patient. There was a bit of pressure, fear of the result, we didn’t manage to score as quickly as we would have liked, it was a bit of a headache.”

“We had worked on set pieces and we scored on a set piece. This validates the work we’ve done since the beginning. I’m happy for the staff members, some of whom have been with us for two years, and the players, who deserve it. They are good youngsters, good guys, with quality, they showed a good face. We have praise and positive feedback from many people and teams, about the game produced, the attitude, the humility.”

“It’s nice and we appreciate it even more when we go to the final. It will be a tough match but we will be ready. We are there, it underlines the quality of the French team, and it’s a source of pride. Above all, we will have to manage our emotions, not fall into certain traps, and avoid set pieces. But we played them, we know that.”

Spain vs France Prediction:

The first face-to-face meeting between Spain and France, which took place in the group stage of UEFA EURO U19, was a fiery and goal-packed one. The match was close with the teams taking 27 shots and having scored 4 goals in total. However, the final is unlikely to follow a similar scenario. Both sides acted very cautiously in their semi-final encounters accepting the pace of their opponents in apprehension of making a resultive mistake. Now the trophy is just a step away and the rivals will be trying to minimise the risks, methodically waiting for their moments, relying on each other’s slip-ups. 

We predict an evenly matched contest, with the Tri Colours edging closer to victory thanks to their overall form. While the Red Fury boasts a solid performance in their third, the French are better in the centre of the pitch. Similar to chess, dominance in this area gives more options to open up the opponent’s defensive redoubts and helps to create chances and pressure. Interestingly, 3 of the 4 matches involving Spain or France at this tournament featured an exchange of goals. We expect both teams to score at least once. However, the regular time of the match may not be enough to determine the winner. 

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: Both teams will score and France will not lose in the regular time – Yes.

Don`t miss out 👉: Top 5 Players Liverpool Should Sell ft. Salah, Kelleher, etc.

Comments

0