Euro 2024: Why France Won’t Play in Third-Place Playoff Despite Elimination by Spain
- Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo scored a goal apiece to help Spain breeze past France in the first Euro 2024 semi-final
- Didier Deschamps' side had taken an early lead after a maskless Kylian Mbappe set-up Randal Kolo Muani
- France's time in Germany is now over, as they won't play in the third-place playoff game as often seen in the World Cup
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France's campaign at Euro 2024 ended in a bitter taste after Spain outclassed them in the semi-final on July 9.
Despite going behind early to a Randal Kolo Muani header, Spain maintained their composure to win the game 2-1 and book their place in the Sunday final.
Source: Getty Images
16-year-old genius Lamine Yamal equalised proceedings with a delightful curling finish. Yamal became the youngest goalscorer in Euro championships history.
Dani Olmo won the game for Luis de la Fuente's side to send Kylian Mbappe and co, packing.
Is there a third-place playoff at Euro 2024?
Ordinarily, as often seen in the World Cup, the losing semi-finalists often play in the third-place playoff match. It is a game that no one usually wants to play in for obvious reasons but at least there is an assurance of a bronze medal at the end of the game.
The 2022 World Cup saw Croatia defeat Morocco to claim a podium finish after both of them had lost to Argentina and France, respectively.
However, the European Football Championships do not have a third-place playoff and thus Les Blues' campaign in Germany is over.
Why France won't play at Euro 2024 third-place playoff
The game hasn't been played at the Euros since 1980 when UEFA made the executive decision to scrap it. That year saw the hosts, Italy, lose to Czechoslovakia in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after a one-all draw in normal time.
As reported by 90MIN, the reasoning UEFA gave then was the low stadium attendance and poor television revenues, which did not make sense from a revenue standpoint.
What next for France players after Euro 2024 exit?
It, therefore, means that we have seen the last of France in Germany. Mbappe would depart for holidays before beginning a new chapter at Real Madrid as Olivier Giroud heads stateside after signing for Los Angeles FC.
Spain, meanwhile, will await the winner between England and the Netherlands for a chance to win its first Euro trophy since 2012.
France defeats Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that France defeated Portugal on penalties in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals following a goalless draw on Friday night, July 5.
With the 5-3 win on penalties, Didier Deschamps' men have set up a last-four meeting with Spain.
A largely dull 120 minutes saw both sides struggle to create clear chances in Hamburg before Joao Felix was the only player to miss in the shoot-out and Theo Hernandez netted the winning spot-kick.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
