Spain vs France Combined XI: Wing-wizards Yamal and Williams feature
Ahead of the first semi-final at Euro 2024 on Tuesday evening, we’ve put together a Combined XI based on WhoScored player ratings.
Spain are the dominant side in our XI, with a whopping eight representatives to France’s three. Here, we run through the team in full.
Athletic Club stopper Unai Simon has played every meaningful minute for Spain, having been rested for the final group clash with Albania. The 27-year-old helped his side to clean sheets in the group victories over Croatia and Italy, while he was on hand to make five big saves in the quarter-final win over hosts Germany.
Earning a place at right-back is France defender Jules Kounde, who has played every minute for Didier Deschamps’ side at Euro 2024 so far. The Barcelona full-back has been a crucial part of what has been the strongest backline at the tournament, with Les Bleus conceding just one goal - a Robert Lewandowski penalty - thus far.
Dayot Upamecano (France) - 6.92
Another ever-present in the formidable French backline is Bayern Munich centre-back Dayot Upamecano, who has played every minute alongside Arsenal’s William Saliba, in what promises to be one of the world’s strongest defensive partnerships for years to come. Over his 480 minutes of action so far, the 25-year-old has managed eight tackles, six interceptions, 17 clearances and eight aerial wins.
Aymeric Laporte (Spain) - 6.95
Despite representing France at every youth level, it is Spain who Aymeric Laporte represents in our Combined XI having started all but one match at Euro 2024 for La Roja. The 30-year-old may be playing his club football in Saudi Arabia nowadays, but he retains the faith of Luis de la Fuente, and has looked as solid as ever for the tournament favourites.
Completing our back four is Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella, who has put any troubles in a blue shirt behind him to impress for Spain throughout their campaign so far. Cucurella’s WhoScored rating of 7.38 is the highest of any full-back remaining in the competition.
Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz is the proverbial first name on the team sheet in our Combined XI, given his WhoScored rating (8.15) is the best of any player at Euro 2024. The PSG man has proved crucial for his national side, registering four goal involvements (2 goals, 2 assists), 13 shots on goal, nine key passes and 11 successful dribbles.
There will be little surprise that Manchester City maestro Rodri anchors our midfield; the 28-year-old has followed up an exceptional Premier League season with a strong campaign at this European Championship. Despite sitting out a game through suspension, only three midfielders have made more accurate passes than the Spaniard (326) at Euro 2024.
RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo may have started only one game at Euro 2024 so far, but his impact has been exceptional. The 26-year-old has registered four goal involvements (2 goals, 2 assists), with half of those coming in Saturday’s dramatic quarter-final victory over Germany. Up until the semi-finals, Olmo has managed 15 shots on goal, nine key passes and 12 successful dribbles in just under 300 minutes of action.
One of the stories of Euro 2024 so far has been Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal, whose extraordinary talents were already known to many but have since been reaffirmed on the international stage. The 16-year-old has created five big chances and registered three assists so far, totals in both cases that no other player at the tournament can better.
France captain Kylian Mbappe prevails over Alvaro Morata to lead the line our Combined XI, despite a relatively disappointing Euro 2024, on a personal level at least. The now-Real Madrid star scored from the penalty spot in the draw with Poland after breaking his nose against Austria, but has struggled to impact the knockout stage clashes with Belgium and Portugal.
Rounding off our XI is the second half of Spain’s dynamic wing duo in Nico Williams, who has terrorised the likes of Joshua Kimmich and Giovanni Di Lorenzo so far this summer. The 21-year-old’s fearless playing style has been a joy to watch, with his directness and ferocity a huge part of the impending clamour for his signature following the conclusion of the tournament. Williams both scored and assisted in La Roja’s victory over Georgia in the last 16, while, in total, he has managed eight shots on goal, nine key passes and 11 successful dribbles.
