From Euro 84 to Mbappe's offside goal: A look at rivalry between Spain and France

Spain and France meet in the semifinals of the European Championship on Tuesday. The match pits one of the highest-scoring teams at the tournament against one of the lowest, as France's star forward Kylian Mbappé has struggled to get to grips with his mask. However, the history of the rivalry between the two powerhouses of football is keenly watched by football fans and critics across the world. 

The unlikely rivals

Football began to take root in both Spain and France during the late 19th century, mirroring the sport's rapid spread across Europe. However, the World Wars and subsequent conflicts posed challenges to football's development in both nations. The aftermath of World War II further strained relations between the two countries, with suspicions arising due to Spain's sheltering of Nazi collaborators during the German occupation of France.

After the Second World War, Spain and France began to rebuild official relations, and football emerged as a significant arena for their renewed rivalry. Spain achieved its first major football success by winning the 1964 European Nations' Cup. However, France's emergence in the 1980s, marked by their triumph in UEFA Euro 1984, where they defeated Spain in the final, signalled a shift in the rivalry's dynamics. Led by Michel Platini, France secured victory with Platini's infamous free-kick that slipped past Spanish goalkeeper Luis Arconada.

The subsequent decades saw France's rapid development in football. France's achievements in major tournaments, including winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup and subsequent Euro triumphs, solidified its status as a football powerhouse, surpassing Spain's international achievements. 

In the quarterfinals of Euro 2000, Youri Djorkaeff’s decisive goal helped France edge Spain 2-1, a tournament ultimately captained by current French manager Didier Deschamps. During the 2006 World Cup, France came from behind to defeat Spain in the round of 16. Zinedine Zidane played a crucial role in France’s comeback, demonstrating his prowess on the world stage. However, France's dominance in the fixture came to an abrupt end after the famous 'Tiki-Taka' Spanish side secured a crucial win against France in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals. Xabi Alonso’s brace sealed a historic victory for Spain on their way to winning the tournament.

The rivalry between Spain and France reached new heights in the modern era, fueled by memorable encounters such as the agonising 2-1 defeat Spain suffered to France in the 2021 UEFA Nations League final.