Spain v France: Olmo steps into Pedri's boots in battle for Euro 2024 final place

Dani Olmo did not start Euro 2024 as part of Spain coach Luis de la Fuente's first-choice side but how the three-time champions finish will depend in no small part on him.

The 26-year-old RB Leipzig attacking midfielder replaced the injured Pedri against Germany early on in the quarter-final and contributed to both of Spain's goals in a thrilling 2-1 extra-time victory.

Olmo slotted home the first and created the second for Mikel Merino in a superb display in Stuttgart, and is set to start against France in the semi-final on Tuesday.

At the beginning of the group phase, with Barcelona playmaker Pedri fit and in form, De la Fuente opted for him as the team's central creator over Olmo.

In the past, the technically gifted Olmo has also operated on the left for Spain but electric Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has proven undroppable this summer.

Instead Olmo waited patiently for his chances to come and made sure he took them, firstly in Spain's third group-stage match against Albania.

They won 1-0 and Olmo impressed, setting up Ferran Torres for the only goal of the game.

"Dani Olmo is a superb player, a fantastic footballer, I really value him," said De la Fuente.

"He thinks about the team more than himself as an individual."

The versatile playmaker tucked away Spain's fourth in the last-16 romp over Georgia as a substitute and when he stepped in for Pedri against Germany after just eight minutes, he needed no time to acclimatise to the pace of the game.

Olmo forced a good save from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer before breaking the deadlock with a clinical finish after 51 minutes.

The midfielder then curled in a dangerous ball for Merino to head home when the game seemed set for the lottery of penalties.

"I'm exhausted but