Platini to Zidane and Spain's golden era: 5 Spain vs France classics

Spain and France face off for a place in the Euro 2024 final on Tuesday after taking contrasting routes to the semifinal clash in Munich As France have stumbled their way through to the last four Spains 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 soPlatinis Euro 84 The first meeting between two of European footballs powerhouses at a major tournament did not take place until the final of Euro 1984 Hosts France emerged victorious led by the imperious Michel Platini whose nine goals in a single tournament remains a Euros record Platini 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 the French legends low freekick slip through his grasp before Bruno Bellone chipped the Spanish goalie in stoppage time to seal Frances first major tournament victoryDjorkaeff stunner at Euro 2000France also defeated Spain 21 en route to their second Euros win in the Netherlands and Belgium The quarterfinal clash in Bruges was a classic featuring a freekick from another iconic French number 10 Zinedine Zidanes sumptuous setpiece put Les Bleus in front before Gaizka Mendietas penalty levelled Youri Djorkaeff smashed home the winner for a French side that was captained by current boss Didier DeschampsZidanes last danceFrances dominance of the fixture in major tournament matches continued on German soil at the 2006 World Cup Spain had appeared the team to beat in the group stage and went in front in the last16 clash in Hannover through David Villas penalty But France hit back on their road to the final Franck Ribery levelled with his first international goal before Patrick Vieira and Zidane in the tournament that was his swansong fired France into the quarterfinalsAlso ReadEuro 2024 Onwards and upwardsSpains threepeatSpain finally managed their first competitive win over Les Bleus in the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 On his 100th international appearance Xabi Alonso scored both goals in Donetsk with an early diving header and late penalty to seal Frances fate Spain would go on to win a third consecutive major tournament after Euro 2008 and the 2010 World CupMbappe wins the Nations League The most recent meeting between the sides saw France win the Nations League final 21 in Milan in controversial fashion three years ago Two goals in barely two minutes sparked the final into life as Mikel Oyarzabal fired Spain in front before Karim Benzemas stunning strike levelled matters Real Madridbound Kylian Mbappe then scored the winner as a subtle stepover outfoxed Unai Simon Spain were furious the goal was allowed to stand as Mbappe had clearly been standing in an offside position but the VAR official did not intervene as he deemed Eric Garcias attempted clearance as a deliberate play on the ball kcaasWith agency inputs