France vs Spain: Preview, predictions, team news
- France vs Spain kicks off on Friday, Aug. 9, at 12 p.m. ET for the gold medal
- Les Bleus are unbeaten at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
- Fermin Lopez and Jean-Philippe Mateta each have four goals
Thierry Henry's unbeaten France take on Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and the winner will walk away with the gold medal in men's soccer.
Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the two favorites to win gold were France and Spain, and now, the two sides will finally meet in the men's soccer final. The host nation advanced to the gold medal match thanks to Jean-Philippe's late-game brace against Egypt in the semi-finals, extending Les Bleus' winning streak under Thierry Henry to five games.
Spain also needed a goal in the dying minutes of their semi-final match against Morocco to punch their ticket to Paris, and Juanlu Sanchez delivered the winner to secure the 1-2 victory. A gold medal for La Roja just one month after the senior national team won Euro 2024 would complete a storybook summer for Spain. First, though, they will have to defeat Spain, something no other side has done at the 2024 Olympics.
Here's 90min's guide to France vs Spain at the Parc des Princes.
What time does France vs Spain kick off?
- Location: Paris, France
- Stadium: Parc des Princes
- Date: Friday, Aug. 9
- Kick-off time: 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT / 5 p.m. BST
Current form (all competitions)
France U23 | Spain U23 |
|---|---|
France 3-1 Egypt - Aug. 5, 2024 | Morocco 1-2 Spain - Aug. 5, 2024 |
France 1-0 Argentina - Aug. 2, 2024 | Japan 0-3 Spain - Aug. 2, 2024 |
New Zealand 0-3 France - July 30, 2024 | Spain 1-2 Egypt - July 30, 2024 |
France 1-0 Guinea - July 27, 2024 | Dominican Republic 1-3 Spain - July 27, 2024 |
France 3-0 USA - July 24, 2024 | Uzbekistan 1-2 Spain - July 24, 2024 |
How to watch France vs Spain on TV and live stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United States | USA Network, Peacock, Telemundo, FuboTV |
United Kingdom | Eurosport 5, discovery+ |
France team news
France's midfield will get a huge boost with the return of Enzo Millot and Kouadio Kone. Against Egypt, Millot served his one-game suspension after being sent off in the quarter-finals, and Kone served his one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation. Expect both players to return to the starting XI in the gold medal match.
Otherwise, Thierry Henry will likely keep his lineup unchanged at the back and up top after their great success in the prior five matches.
France predicted lineup vs Spain
France predicted lineup vs Spain ( 4-3-1-2 ): Restes; Sildillia, Bade, Lukeba, Truffert; Millot, Kone, Chotard; Olise; Mateta, Lacazette
Spain team news
Despite their small blunder to Egypt in the group stage, Spain have been one of the most consistent sides at the 2024 Paris Olympics thanks to their U23 stars. Fermin Lopez has scored four goals in five matches, and is without a doubt La Roja's most dangerous player.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi has found his footing on the backline next to Eric Garcia; the center-back pairing have yet to concede more than one goal per match in France this summer.
Spain predicted lineup vs France
Spain predicted lineup vs France ( 4-2-3-1 ): Tenas; Pubill, Garcia, Cubarsi, Miranda; Barrios, Baena; Oroz, Lopez, Gomez; Ruiz
France vs Spain score prediction
France vs Spain will undoubtedly be the most even match of the knockout rounds at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but it is hard to go against Thierry Henry's side, who have remained perfect at the tournament. Les Bleus have the ability to hang around in a match thanks to their gritty backline that has only conceded one goal all tournament, and Jean-Philippe Mateta, Alexandre Lacazette, and Michael Olise have proven they can get the job done up top.
Spain will need more brilliance from Fermin Lopez if La Roja want to walk away with the gold medal.